Front Porch FootballCan Clemson Hang With Alabama?
by Chris Paschal
I thought there was a chance LSU could hang with Alabama. Don’t get me wrong, I thought Alabama would win and pull away in the second half, but I thought the Tigers could put up 10 points and hold Alabama to less than 28 points. Boy, was I wrong.
Alabama is definitely the favorite and my pick to win the National Title. But after watching Clemson thrash its competition this year, I started to ponder whether or not the Tigers had a shot at competing with the Crimson Tide. Similar to any other major question I have been faced with in life – should I eat another sandwich, should I drink another beer, should I go to college – I will make a Pro/Con List.
Image from Post and Courier.
Pro: Clemson’s Defensive Line
This would be Alabama’s toughest test at rushing the football. There was really only one game that Alabama flexed its muscle running the football and that was against LSU. Besides that, this has been a pass-happy offense. But Alabama’s pass offense has had the benefit of teams keeping their linebackers in the box to combat the likes of Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Damien Harris. And while Alabama has faced good defensive lines like LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn, this would be the best defensive line they have faced. Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant would need to have big nights not only setting the edge and stringing plays out, but also rushing the quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa has only been sacked nine times this year. Get some pressure on him and he might start to look a little human. Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence would also have to play better than they did last year. But these two would be ready for a final showdown with Alabama before heading to the NFL.
Con: Alabama’s Offensive Line
South Carolina has a good offensive line. But it ain’t Bama good. Yet, the Gamecocks held their own against Clemson’s defensive line. South Carolina backs, Rico Dowdle and Mon Denson (good backs, but nothing like Alabama’s), combined to rush for over 110 yards. Further, Clemson was limited to four tackles in the backfield. They had ten earlier in the month against Boston College. They had nine against Duke. So yes, Clemson’s defensive line is tough, and they’re nasty, and they’re physical, but when up against a solid offensive line, the Tigers aren’t as dominant. If Alabama started to bully the Clemson defensive line late in the game like it did last year, the Tide would be able to walk away with another victory.
Image from AP Photos.
Pro: Travis Etienne
The man is a difference maker. He has top-end speed, vision, and quickness all built into a powerful 5-10, 200 pound frame. This is the kind of back that would challenge Alabama. With the receivers Clemson has, and with a quarterback that can reach any part of the field, Etienne would not be the sole focus of the Crimson Tide defense. He has only averaged less than three yards per carry once this season and that was against NC State. He still scored three touchdowns in that game.
The reason why I didn’t list the entire Clemson offensive rushing attack is because while Feaster and this offensive line are also very impressive, Etienne possess a talent that could give Alabama trouble. Etienne would either give Alabama fits, or at least keep the Tide honest enough to open up the passing attack.
Image from Getty Images.
Con: Alabama’s Front Seven
This game would be won on the line of scrimmage. Neither defense has a great secondary, both teams have great receivers, both teams have elite quarterback play. Whichever team established the run game would win the game. It’s tough to establish a rushing attack when Quinnen Williams anchors the Crimson Tide defensive front. This is the best defensive tackle in the country. Better than Wilkins and Lawrence. He is consistently drawing double teams, and he still somehow finds a way to get in the opposing team’s backfield. Isaiah Buggs, Christian Miller, Labryan Ray, Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson and Dylan Moses also make it all the tougher to run against the Tide. This is statistically one of the best run defenses in the country. If Raekwon Davis finally showed up and played a somewhat decent game, this defensive line would stymie any rushing attack it faced, including Clemson’s.
Pro: Experience
With the exception of the quarterback position, much of this roster has played in big-time, championship-type games against Alabama. The stage would not be too big for Etienne or Higgins or Hyatt or Wilkins or Joseph. Further, Trevor Lawrence would have played in College Station, against his rival, and in the ACC Championship Game. Even further, this would be same song second verse for Dabo Swinney and this coaching staff. Clemson would not be daunted by the prospect of playing the mighty Crimson Tide. That’s half the battle. Thinking you can win and thinking you can hang with them is a powerful drug. And Clemson would be on it if they were to play Alabama.
Image from USA Today.
Con: Clemson’s Performance Against the SEC in 2018
Clemson has had possibly the easiest schedule of any title contender. Yes, I know there are some metrics out there that say Clemson has played a tough schedule. But c’mon. The toughest teams Clemson faced this season didn’t come from the ACC, but from two middle-of-the-pack SEC teams (Syracuse gave them a game, as well). Both of those games showed us something about Clemson. First were the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies were a play away from beating Clemson, and the Tigers were fortunate to win that game. Second, the South Carolina Gamecocks who never really had a shot at beating Clemson, yet put up 600 yards of offense including over 500 yards in the passing game. A six-win South Carolina team torched this Clemson secondary. Can you even imagine what Tua Tagovailoa would do?
Conclusion
Image from The Fresno Bee.
