{"id":5379,"date":"2017-01-07T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=5379"},"modified":"2017-12-30T16:32:00","modified_gmt":"2017-12-30T21:32:00","slug":"tigers-vs-the-tide-national-championship-breakdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2017\/01\/07\/tigers-vs-the-tide-national-championship-breakdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Tigers vs. The Tide: National Championship Breakdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dabo Swinney<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s Clemson Tigers will take on Alabama for the second straight season after routing Ohio State in a 31-0 shutout in the Fiesta Bowl. After securing consecutive ACC titles for the first time since 1988, the Tigers hope to bring home the National Championship to Clemson for the first time in 35 years.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide will be trying to win back-to-back titles, its fifth in eight years.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n

Tigers vs. The Tide: National Championship Breakdown<\/h2>\n

Crimson Tide<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Nick Saban\u2019s<\/strong> Crimson Tide (14-0, 8-0 SEC) enters the College Football Playoff National Championship with a clear defensive advantage. Many argue this is the best secondary to ever play under the Alabama head coach. Before the start of the 2016 season, most would have agreed that the 2011 National Championship team would take the cake as Saban\u2019s finest; only allowing nine offensive touchdowns the entire season. That all changed as the 2016 season unfolded.<\/p>\n

The Tide entered the Peach Bowl with 10 defensive touchdowns on the season, notching its 11th<\/sup> against the Huskies late in the first half. There\u2019s no questioning the talent of this Bama defense, but with forces like Christian Wilkins<\/a><\/strong> and Dexter Lawrence<\/a><\/strong>, Clemson has the ability to get in the way of Alabama run game.<\/p>\n

Tigers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Speaking of the Tiger\u2019s offense, a conversation can\u2019t be had without mention of Deshaun Watson<\/a><\/strong>. The two-time Heisman candidate is a talent not often seen in college football. Watson threw for 4,173 yards and 38 touchdowns. As the team\u2019s second-leading rusher with 586 yards and eight touchdowns, Watson is the center of this Clemson team.<\/p>\n

With his ability in the air and on the ground, combined with a talented group of receivers, an offensive advantage is clear on the side of Clemson.\u00a0 The biggest concern for Watson and the Clemson offense: turnovers. The Tigers’ quarterback recorded 17 interceptions on the season, one of the major disadvantages Watson faced in the race for Heisman.<\/p>\n

Things to Watch:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  1. Sarkisian & the Alabama Offense<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    With Nick Saban sending Lane Kiffin<\/strong> to FAU a week earlier than planned, Steve Sarkisian<\/strong><\/a> will make his debut as the team\u2019s offensive coordinator in the National Championship. While the new member of the coaching staff has experience with the team in an off-the-field role, Sarkisian doesn\u2019t have much time to move into his new role before the team\u2019s biggest game of the season.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Clemson\u2019s Offense vs. Alabama\u2019s Defense<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      It\u2019s power versus power. Clemson ranks 13th<\/sup> nationally, averaging 39.5 points per game, and Alabama ranks first by keeping opponents to 11.4 points.\u00a0 Alabama\u2019s ability to convert turnover to points can be a dangerous factor against a Clemson offense that recorded 26 turnovers on the season.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Third Downs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        In third-down offense, Clemson ranks 5th<\/sup> nationally, while Alabama is ranked 21st<\/sup>.\u00a0 On the other side of the ball, Clemson ranks 6th<\/sup> with Alabama at a close 7th<\/sup> nationally. These numbers could prove to be very important as these two teams look to exploit one another\u2019s weaknesses and restrict the other\u2019s strengths.<\/p>\n

        Simply put: the 2016 National Championship\u2019s is the Tigers’ to win, and Alabama\u2019s to lose. The Tigers have experience on this stage, and against this team. With that familiarity is also the resonating feeling of dissatisfaction and hunger following last season\u2019s 45-40 loss to, who other than, the Alabama Crimson Tide.<\/p>\n

        Main Photo<\/p>\n

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        Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n