No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama both made major statements with convincing semifinal playoff victories, setting the stage for what should be an epic College Football Playoff National Championship game between the two best teams in the nation.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Alabama Crimson Tide -7
Clemson Tigers +7
Over/Under 53
WHY THE CLEMSON TIGERS WILL WIN
Deshaun Watson. Clemson's quarterback made a strong case for the Heisman Trophy and is undoubtedly the most valuable player in 2015. He showcased his potential as a true freshman in 2014 and emerged as the nation's best quarterback this season. Watson can do it all and is a true multi-threat. He passed for 3,699 yards with 31 scores and recorded 1,032 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Watson is the type of quarterback that has given Alabama's defense the most trouble in recent years. The Tide lost seven games over the last five seasons and there's a familiar pattern among the quarterbacks. Players like Jordan Jefferson, Johnny Manziel and Nick Marshall all were mobile in the pocket and had the ability to extend plays with their legs. Not only is Watson a sharp passer, but his legs and ability to make something from nothing will frustrate Alabama's defense.
With all the praise heaped on Watson and the Clemson offense, the defense has been pretty good, too. The Tigers have enough size and enough of a rotation on their front line to keep from wearing down against the Tide's mammoth offensive front and running back Derrick Henry.
The key for Clemson will be its speed and athleticism from the outside. Against Oklahoma, Shaq Lawson made one huge play and was done with an injury – it didn't matter. The rest of the line picked up the slack keeping Baker Mayfield bottled up in the pocket while applying just enough pressure.
Alabama quarterback Jake Coker was sizzling against Michigan State, partly because he had all day to throw. Sparty came in worrying about Henry, and it was Coker who got the job done. The Clemson secondary is much better than Michigan State's defensive backfield, and they'll get help from the boys up front. And Lawson is expected to play, giving the Tigers an additional boost up front.
Clemson's offensive line had its ups and downs early but showed steady improvement over the course of the season. The unit allowed just 16 sacks in 14 games and paved the way for 312 rushing yards against the Big 12's second-best run defense in the Orange Bowl. Alabama's defensive front is the best in the nation and will present a stiffer challenge. However, with the group's development and Watson's mobility, the Tigers have the pieces in place to match the play of the Tide in the trenches.
Clemson operates in SEC country and recruits like an SEC team, but there's always been one or two missteps that kept the Tigers from college football's elite. Lately, Florida State has had a lot to do with that, but now it's Clemson's time. Now it's the chance for the ACC to have its second national championship in three years. You think Clemson is scared? Keep doubting this team. It seems to like that.
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