Here’s the how the Bama Hammer staff sees the National Championship matchup between Alabama and Clemson playing out.
The Bama Hammer staff got together to give their predictions for the National Championship.
Chris Dodson
As much as we like to poke fun and think Clemson isn’t as good as the Clemson team last year, Deshaun Watson gave Alabama the most trouble last year it had ever seen and Clemson could have won the game, had it not been for a few turning point plays that would have bounced in their favor.
That all being said, this Alabama Defense isn’t last year’s Alabama Defense either and we all thought last year was one of the best. This defense has been playing lights-out, smashmouth football and has put even the best QB’s is a shaky position. It’s the only thing you can point to at this Alabama team that you can count on. Watson will be brought to his knees eventually and this team will win it’s second straight.
28-3 Alabama
Stoney Keeley
The two semi-final games felt like anomalies, no? Alabama’s offense didn’t really show up, but the defense and a tractor named Bo Scarbrough carried the Tide to a Peach Bowl victory. Meanwhile, Clemson absolutely demoralized Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, handing Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer the first shutout of his career. The Tigers looked absolutely deadly. Alabama looked flat. That doesn’t add up to what we saw throughout the season. Las Vegas thinks Alabama will be at least six points better than Clemson, and I tend to agree. I don’t think the Tigers will be able to push around the Crimson Tide’s defense the way they did Ohio State’s.
Alabama wins, 27-20
Bobby Martin
Monday Alabama takes on Clemson in a “rematch” of last year’s national title. While the national media would love for you to believe that’s the case, it actually isn’t the case at all.
This year’s Alabama defense truly is one of the all-time greats in the history of college football. The Bama defense is tailor-made to slow down the spread offense. With so much speed along the front seven, Watson and company will find out early on they will not be scoring 41 points this game.
The Alabama offense is a question mark with Sark calling the plays and I think that will benefit Alabama. Clemson will no doubt scheme against them in the same fashion they did versus Ohio State. Alabama will have to take, and hit, some shots down the field to back the defense up. What I wish would happen: Alabama 41-17. What I actually think will happen…
Alabama 31 Clemson 21
Ronald Evans
Clemson has the potential to score a bunch of points, but I don’t think they will.
After last year, the Crimson Tide defense has something to prove. It is payback time. Of the many attributes favoring Alabama in this game, defensive speed and quickness stand out to me. The premise of defense winning championships will be tested and I think this group of players is primed to prove it still holds true.
I think Clemson is a better team than last year. Points against them will come harder than last year’s championship game. The Tide will not win a shootout but I think Clemson will struggle to match their normal output.
I have so much confidence in the Alabama defense that I can see a 7-10 point Tide win. That optimism is somewhat restrained by last week’s offensive inconsistencies.
Alabama 24 Clemson 20
Meredith Hornsby
I honestly think this game is impossible to predict. I don’t mean to say that as a cop-out; it’s just that both teams have a lot on the line. Clemson is desperate to beat Bama after losing last year. Bama is hungry for a win to cap off this undefeated season. A win also makes our defense the undisputed best Alabama football defense in history. It’s huge for both Dabo and Saban personally as well.
I’d Bama stays true to form, they’ll start slow offensively. Under Coach Sark, it’s hard to know what changes, if any, will be made to the offensive attack. The good thing is that Clemson doesn’t know that either, so hopefully that’s in Bama’s favor. The defense will take a drive or two to get their feet under them and then will eat up the field.
My “key to the game” is for Alabama to stay on the field longer offensively to let the defense rest. If Bama can move the ball down the field, eating up some clock to let the D take a break (and scoring would be good too), I think the Tide has a true shot at this championship.
I predict a low scoring game due to strong defenses on both teams. I’m too chicken to make a real score or outcome guess. All I’ll say is that this team is amazing, this season has been hella awesome, and Roll Tide always.
Bandit
It’s Clemson and Alabama, emotions for both teams will be running high. What you have to ask is do you think Clemson’s desire for a championship and getting revenge on Alabama is bigger than the chip on the shoulder Alabama’s defense holds for Deshaun Watson? I don’t.
The game comes down to these two to me. It’s Alabama’s Defense and Deshaun Watson. If Watson plays like he did last year, out of his mind, Clemson has a shot. If Watson turns the ball over or struggles like he has some this year then the Tide will roll.
I think it’s a much lower scoring game than most people anticipate and Alabama walks away a champion again.
Alabama 17 Clemson 10
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What do you think? What’s your prediction for the National Championship? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below.