LSU vs Clemson: 3 matchups that will decide National Championship Game

Three matchups that will go a long way in determining if LSU or Clemson ends up winning the National Championship Game.

This year’s National Championship Game between LSU and Clemson has the potential to be one of the best that we’ve seen in the playoff era. Two undefeated titans of the football world come head-to-head with squads that are absolutely littered with talent and storylines.

Joe Burrow’s astronomic rise from Ohio State backup to Louisiana legend has been the topic of focus this year, while Clemson isn’t without a star quarterback of their own in potential future No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft Trevor Lawrence. Both teams boast not only those quarterbacks, but incredibly talented offensive and defensive pieces around them.

With a matchup of this caliber, it’s important to know your personnel. There are a few key matchups that will go a long way in deciding who walks away with this year’s national title. Let’s break them down.

3.  Clemson secondary vs. LSU Receivers

The focus for this titanic matchup will largely be put on which defense can get the most stops, as two dynamic scoring teams come together in this championship game. Whichever defense comes out on top of their matchup, they will likely win the game for their team.

Though Clemson’s defense has been good enough to get them this far in the college football season, they’ll face a non-stop offensive attack like (almost) none that they have faced before when they come head-to-head against the Joe Burrow-led LSU Tigers offense.

The strength of the Clemson Tigers’ defense comes in their secondary, as the physical nature and size of that positional group have allowed them to shut down opposing quarterbacks, holding them to just 151 yards per game, best in the country.

In the Fiesta Bowl, the defense had forced Heisman finalist Justin Fields into his worst game of the year (despite playing in a tough Big Ten). Fields still threw for 320 yards against this offense, but one of the best quarterbacks in the nation only threw for one touchdown, with two interceptions.

The LSU receiving group has been arguably the best in the nation so far this year, allowing Joe Burrow to really, truly dominate any and all opposition. Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall Jr. have caught eyes all season long.

This trio of talents (with Marshall reportedly being back able to play after dealing with some injuries), will go head to head against guys like Tanner Muse and do-it-all defender Isaiah Simmons. It’s going to be a fun matchup, and certainly, one that could decide the game.

2. Joe Burrow vs Trevor Lawrence

Though this positional battle won’t be quite as determined by these two players, as if it were them directly pitted against one another, it may as well be.

Both quarterbacks are surrounded by a dynamic group of offensive players. From LSU’s Chase, Jefferson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, to Clemson’s Tee Higgins, Travis Etienne and Justyn Ross, the field will have talent in almost every area. It’s not limited to skill players either, both teams boast some of the nation’s most effective offensive and defensive lines, as well. With the kind of talent supporting them, this matchup falls of even larger importance—whichever quarterback can lead their team the best, has a fantastic chance at winning this game.

Don’t get me wrong, the defense will be important, but this battle between two Heisman finalists and two of the best quarterbacks in the college game will no doubt decide this game. Burrow looks to be the sure-fire No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and will be looking to cement his legacy as the most important quarterback in LSU history with a win, while Lawrence is the odds-on favorite to be in the same position in next year’s NFL Draft for his Clemson side—this quarterback battle is sure to be a contest for the ages.

1. Travis Etienne vs. LSU’s run defense

The biggest key to Clemson walking out of New Orleans as the national champions for this season is to get the legs of dynamic running back Travis Etienne churning downfield.

Sure, Lawrence is undoubtedly the most important person on this Clemson Tigers’ offense, but for THIS game in specific, it’s going to be important that Etienne plays the game of his life. A talented runner that is always poised for a home run shot, Etienne will be key for the Clemson offense to dictate the pace of this game, wear down LSU’s dynamic defense, and slow down their offense’s opportunities.

The arrival of 30-year-old assistant coach and passing game coordinator Joe Brady from the New Orleans Saints has redefined the entire offensive strategy for LSU. To keep Louisiana’s two favorite Joes under control, you’ll have to keep the LSU offense off the field.

To add to that, in two of the games where Clemson struggled this year, against North Carolina and Ohio State, Etienne failed to get to 70 yards in either of the games, with a season-low 36 coming against the Buckeyes in the most recent Fiesta Bowl matchup. Lawrence ran well in both games, but with this dynamic and physical LSU defense, you want to avoid any potential injury situation for Lawrence and keep his focus on being in the pocket.

Clemson will likely try to dictate the pace of the game, and it’ll be up to guys on the LSU defense like K’Lavon Chaisson and recently reinstated linebacker Michael Divinity Jr. to throw them off their game, and make the stops to get their offense back on the field. The two are LSU’s best pass rushers, and both will play on the same field for the first time since back in October when Divinity left the team for personal reasons.

Whoever wants this game, the defense just needs to get the stops. With so much offensive firepower on both sides, the various passing and rushing attacks can do enough to go and win it. Whichever side of these various matchups wins out, it’s going to be a battle for the ages.

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