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10 Reasons Alabama Will Beat Clemson

By Ronald Evans

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrate with the 2016 CFP National Championship trophy after beating the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrate with the 2016 CFP National Championship trophy after beating the Clemson Tigers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) intercepts the ball intended for Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) intercepts the ball intended for Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

#2 2016 Team Has Saban’s Best Defense

There are statistical programs that claim teams from different eras can be accurately compared.  Using data from one respected algorithm, each of Alabama’s National Champions can be ranked against the 2016 team. Comparing the 2016 defense to Alabama’s 11 national championship teams going back to 1961, the 2016 defense ranks as the best.

On Monday Alabama will field three 1st team All-American defenders. Had Eddie Jackson not suffered his injury, that number would have been four.  Clemson has no 1st team All-American defenders.

The Tide defense has extraordinary speed and quickness.  Anthony Averitt can match the speed of any receiver; linebackers Reuben  Foster and Rashaan Evans are as fast or faster than Deshaun Watson; Tim Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson have the rare combination of speed, quickness, and strength.

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Minkah Fitzpatrick, Tony Brown, and Marlon Humphrey have speed and toughness. Ronnie Harrison is a headhunter. Daron Payne and Da’Shawn Hand excel quietly and would be superstars on almost any other team.

This season Dabo had to replace eight starters from last year’s defense, five of whom left school early for the NFL.  Despite the attrition, Clemson has a top defense, maybe their best ever.  But in 2016, Alabama has arguably the best defense of the Bryant, Stallings, and Saban eras.

Enough said.

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