College Football Playoff National Championship, Alabama vs Clemson preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Clemson Tigers
The entirety of the college football season has been leading up to one moment and that moment will finally be upon us on Monday night as the No. 2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide take on the No. 1-ranked Clemson Tigers inside University of Phoenix Stadium in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide have developed a dynasty in Tuscaloosa, a reputation only heightened this season behind Heisman Trophy winning running back Derrick Henry. However, Henry will need the help of Jake Coker and a defense led by Reggie Ragland if Alabama are to be champs yet again. Dabo Swinney and Clemson will look to stay perfect on the year against Saban’s Alabama team, though, led by Heisman finalist quarterback Deshaun Watson and (hopefully) star defensive end Shaq Lawson.
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Details for Monday’s game are below:
Date: Monday, Jan. 11
Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Glendale, AZ
Stadium: University of Phoenix Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here
Ticket information: For Alabama-Clemson ticket info click here.
Keys to Victory
On offense for Clemson, the key is going to be Watson’s ability to move the ball with his legs. For how dominant the Alabama defense has been this season, they’ve been at their most vulnerable when put up against mobile quarterbacks—evidenced by the Tide’s lone loss of the season to Chad Kelly and the Ole Miss Rebels. Subsequently, if Watson’s running ability can keep Alabama on their heels, the Tigers will be in the best position to effectively move the ball.
Beyond feeding Henry the football, Alabama’s offense must make sure that they secure the ball in this game. Clemson will be the fifth top-20 scoring defense that the Tide have faced all season with the previous four matchups all resulting in wins. The common denominator in those games for the Tide was that they only turned the ball over a combined three times. Against an explosive team like Clemson, that’s a trend they must keep up.
Clemson’s defensive key is actually quite obvious in that they have to contain Henry in the Alabama rushing game. The Tigers ranked 23rd in the country this season in terms of rushing yards allowed per game, but not many teams pound the ball in the rushing attack with the volume and effectiveness of Henry and Alabama behind their monstrous offensive line. If they are going to have a chance to win, Clemson has to limit that for the Tide.
As for the Saban’s defense aside from containing Watson’s rushing ability, also stopping Wayne Gallman is going to be key for Alabama. The Crimson Tide led the country in terms of rushing yards allowed per game this season, but Clemson has been lethal in terms of staying balanced and chipping away at defenses with Gallman. If Alabama is to stay dominant defensively, stopping Gallman is going to be pivotal.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Alabama -7
Moneyline: Alabama -270, Clemson +220
O/U: 50
Prediction
Deshaun Watson and the Clemson offense should have far more success against the Alabama defense than Michigan State did, but the Crimson Tide are only but so generous on that side of the ball. Moreover, Alabama has shown on numerous occasions this season that they have the ability to score against top-tier defenses and shut down explosive offenses. It should be close, but the Tide will roll yet again in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Final Score: Alabama Crimson Tide: 27, Clemson Tigers: 20