Alabama vs Clemson: 5 key matchups in National Championship Game
By John Buhler
4. Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough vs. Clemson LB Ben Boulware
The easiest path to victory for Alabama in this national title bout will be by pounding the rock with sophomore running back Bo Scarbrough. He is coming off his best game as a collegiate in the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl against the No. 4 Washington Huskies. Scarbrough was the difference in that national semifinals game.
The player that will be likely assigned to try to mitigate Scarborough’s overall effectiveness on the ground is Clemson senior linebacker Ben Boulware. Boulware plays a feisty, physical brand of linebacker that sets up this Clemson front-seven to be spectacular.
He is the defensive leader for Clemson and will need to lead by example to thwart Alabama’s battering ram of a rushing attack. If that means 10 to 15 tackles on Monday night by Boulware in Tampa, so be it.
Alabama’s running game does have great balance. Hurts can make plays with his legs out of the quarterback position. Wide receiver ArDarius Stewart has shown flashes of brilliance with the jet sweep. Running back Damien Harris thrives running off tackle as a finesse runner.
However, Scarbrough’s powerful running style that is reminiscent to Derrick Henry’s could be the difference in this game. Not only is Scarbrough a great north-to-south runner, he does have some of the quick-twitch muscles that made Mark Ingram so special in Tuscaloosa back in 2009. Boulware will have his work cut out for him in this one.