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Clemson vs. Alabama, Sugar Bowl 2018: Preview and prediction

By Brad Weiss

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Jalen Hurts /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Rashaan Evans (32) during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Washington Huskies and the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 31, 2016. Alabama defeated Washington by the score of 24-7 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Rashaan Evans (32) during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Washington Huskies and the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 31, 2016. Alabama defeated Washington by the score of 24-7 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Alabama’s keys to victory

Of the four teams in the College Football Playoff, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the fourth-ranked squad and will have to take on the top-ranked Clemson Tigers in the Sugar Bowl. The Tigers have elite talent on both sides of the ball, though their defensive line might be the best in the country. Guys like Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, and Clelin Ferrell can be outright devastating for the opposing offensive line, so making sure the Tide get push up front is going to be a key against Clemson.

Junior Kelly Bryant has stepped in for Deshaun Watson and led this offense perfectly this season, though he did miss some time due to injury. Without Bryant in the game, the Tigers offense is pretty sub-par, so putting pressure on him will be huge for Alabama as well. If they can disrupt the pocket, putting Bryant on his back throughout the game, they could be able to force him into mistakes that could turn this game on its head.

While controlling the line of scrimmage will be huge for Alabama, they need to make sure they get a great effort from their elite linebacking unit. The linebacking corps for Alabama is one of the best in the country, and Rashaan Evans will likely be a first-round draft pick come next April. He is going to have to have a huge game in this one, and you can be sure he will be a focus in the Clemson game plan in the Sugar Bowl.

Jalen Hurts has been here before, and if he can get the momentum swinging his way, he should be able to put the game away. However, he has struggled when the game plan has moved towards a focus on the passing game, so pounding the ball with Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough will be key. Alabama can win if they can control the ball, but Hurts is going to have a rough time if the Tigers get the kind of push they are capable of getting up front.