Matching up No. 1 Clemson with No. 2 Alabama

Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught 83 passes for 1,031 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, but the freshman might get a tough test in tonight’s national championship game from Clemson All-American Mackensie Alexander, who hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown in 23 games.
Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley caught 83 passes for 1,031 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, but the freshman might get a tough test in tonight’s national championship game from Clemson All-American Mackensie Alexander, who hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown in 23 games.

CLEMSON QB DESHAUN WATSON VS.

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Graph showing a Statistical comparison of Clemson and Alabama.

ALABAMA OLB/DES DILLON LEE, DENZEL DEVALL, RYAN ANDERSON, TIM WILLIAMS

• Watson, a Heisman Trophy finalist, is the type of dual threat that can fluster even the best defenses, and his mobility will be crucial to breaking down the seemingly impenetrable wall that is Alabama's front seven. Trying to move sturdy Alabama linemen like All-America A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen off the line scrimmage consistently is just not happening. "The more you can spread them out the better opportunity you have of creating a seam in the defense to run the ball," Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen said. With that in mind, the Tigers are more likely to attack at the edges of Alabama's defense. "You've got to have some imagination and some smoke-and-mirror mentality for sure," said Mississippi Coach Hugh Freeze, whose team handed Alabama its only loss this season. You do that by putting receivers and backs in motion before the snap and utilizing formations that draw defenders away from the ball and toward the sideline. Or, after the snap, with option or packaged plays that allow the quarterback to react to a defense and either run, hand off, or pass. Watson has been used more and more as a runner as the games have gained importance.. He exceeded 20 carries in each of the past three games, including a season-high 24 for a season-best 145 yards in the Orange Bowl victory against Oklahoma. From former Auburn offensive lineman Cole Cubelic, who hosts a Huntsville, Ala. radio show and works as an ESPN analyst: Clemson "cannot be afraid to let that kid get hit. You need him to be dynamic."

ALABAMA WR CALVIN RIDLEY VS.

CLEMSON CB MACKENSIE ALEXANDER

Alabama' recent succession of star receivers -- Julio Jones to Amari Cooper come to mind-- has continued with freshman Calvin Ridley. Michigan State was unable to slow Ridley (8-138 receiving, 2 TDs), but Clemson's Alexander is not pushover. "He's good enough to say let's not mess with it on that side," said former Syracuse coach Scott Shafer, who is now the defensive coordinator at Maryland. That might explain why Alexander had no interceptions this season. The other corner, Cordrea Tankersley, led the team with five interceptions and is no slouch, either. Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables leans on his cover guys. "You're going to have to win against man coverage," Wake Forest Coach Dave Clawson said. Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is excellent at creating advantageous matchups for playmakers. It will be interesting to see if Kiffin attempts to get Ridley away from Alexander.

ALABAMA RB DERRICK HENRY VS.

CLEMSON LBS BEN BOULWARE, B.J. GOODSON AND S JAYRON KEARSE

Expect Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin to lean on Henry tonight after emphasizing the passing game against Michigan State. Alabama wants to avoid a high-scoring game, with lots of possessions for both teams. But Clemson has a talented and tough defensive line, led by defensive end Shaq Lawson. Plus, their top-notch corners allow defensive coordinator Brent Venables to get safeties, like the 220-pound Kearse, involved in stopping the run. The Tigers have allowed 22 runs of 20-plus yards, tied for 83rd in FBS. Those are often the result of overpursuing, sloppy tackling and taking bad angles. The Tigers can't let a 5-yard run by Henry turn into a 35-yarder.

CLEMSON TE JORDAN LEGGETT VS.

ALABAMA DBS EDDIE JACKSON AND GENO MATTIAS-SMITH

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart moved Jackson and Smith, smaller defensive backs with cornerback skills, to safety so the Tide it could better matchup with Spread offenses. Basically, Alabama will be in a nickel defense with five defensive backs most of the game. Leggett, at 6-5, 255-pounds, is a matchup problem and Clemson likes to send him down the middle on run-pass option plays. He caught 35 passes and led the team with 7 touchdown receptions.

Sports on 01/11/2016

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