National Championship 2016: 5 keys to victory for Clemson Tigers
By John Buhler
2. Deshaun Watson must be a dynamic, dual-threat playmaker
One could easily argue that the best thing Clemson has going for it in the 2016 National Championship Game is that it has the best offensive player in junior quarterback and Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson.
Watson is going pro after this game, as he should. While his 2016 junior campaign didn’t get off to a great start, Watson has been the best offensive player in college football since Halloween. In November, Watson completed a staggering 75.7 percent of his passes for 1,298 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He capped of 2016 with a strong December as a passer, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 547 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
While we all know that Watson’s skill set as a passer will translate to the NFL, he needs to use his legs to his advantage one more time before going pro. Alabama’s Achilles’ Heel defensively in the Nick Saban era has been in stopping dual-threat quarterbacks. Players like Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel, Nick Marshall and even Watson in last year’s national title have made things difficult for the Alabama defense as dual-threat playmakers.
Since Halloween, Watson has decided to run the ball more and Clemson has improved as football team. Coincidence? Highly unlikely, as his running ability has given the Tigers’ offense even more balance. In six games since Halloween, Watson has 56 carries for 255 yards and seven touchdowns.
It will be difficult for Watson to replicate his performance in the 2015 national title versus Alabama with 405 yards passing, four touchdowns, one interception, and 75 rushing yards. However if Watson plays his typical brand of dual-threat football, that will give Clemson a strong chance to beat Alabama at a neutral site in Tampa.