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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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Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (right) and head coach Dabo Swinney (left) celebrate with the Fiesta Bowl trophy during the 2016 CFP semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Clemson Tigers won 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (right) and head coach Dabo Swinney (left) celebrate with the Fiesta Bowl trophy during the 2016 CFP semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Clemson Tigers won 31-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

#9 Clemson is Overconfident

Dabo Swinney is an emotional guy, full of energy and passion.  Football teams often mirror the personality of their coaches.

On Saturday night Clemson destroyed what was thought to be a very good Ohio State team.  The Buckeyes were no match for Clemson. As the Tigers prepare for Monday, are they talking to each other about how much Ohio State was overrated?  Not likely.  Instead, they must be feeling Godzilla-like, ready to exorcise the demons of last year’s championship game loss.

Clemson also knows they shredded the Alabama defense last year, amassing 550 yards.  DeShaun Watson has been performing at a high level during the last few games.  The Clemson offensive players must believe they will match last year’s offensive production.

For players to be mentally prepared for competition, too much emotion can be debilitative.  Intense emotion will not carry a team for hours of intense, mental and physical battle. Clemson’s emotions will be sky-high at kickoff and Dabo’s own natural exuberance may hinder him maintaining his team’s emotional equilibrium.

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