Surprises will be in short supply when Alabama football meets Clemson. Unless Kelly Bryant is not who the Tide thinks he is.
Conventional wisdom among Alabama football fans and most of college football is that Kelly Bryant is no Deshaun Watson. While Bryant is credited with being a better runner, he is far less respected as a passer.
Such common opinion is generally accurate but detailed review leads to another conclusion. Not only can Bryant damage defenses with his legs, he can beat teams with his arm as well. Bryant does not have Watson’s precision but as Clemson’s season wore on his accuracy was much improved.
Kelly Bryant in the post-season is not the same quarterback he was early in the season. Alabama football fans will not care for this comparison but Bryant is arguably a better passer than Jalen Hurts.
It is true Bryant did not throw the ball well against Auburn. His accuracy against Virginia Tech and North Carolina State was inconsistent. Minus those two games and minus two more games against inferior teams (when he did throw well), Bryant completion percentage ranged from 65.4 percent to 79.3 percent.
Bryant excelled as a passer in last two games
In Bryant’s last two games against South Carolina and Miami, he performed at a high level. He threw for over 250 yards in each game. His completion percentage against the Gamecocks was 67.6 and 79.3 percent in the ACC championship against the Hurricanes. Not since the Boston College game in September has Bryant been forced to use his running game to beat an opponent.
Miami sold out to stop the Clemson rushing attack. The Canes were successful stuffing the Tigers run game, holding Clemson to a net 77 yards and 1.9 yards-per-carry average. It didn’t matter. Clemson’s stifling defense and Bryant’s arm created an easy 38-3 victory.
Against the Canes, Bryant hit his first 15 passes. Before he threw his first incompletion in the second quarter, Clemson was up 21-0 and the game was essentially over. Bryant’s past problems with inconsistencies were repeated as five of his next six passes were incomplete.
Can Bryant deliver a ‘Watson-like’ performance?
Which kind of streaky quarterback will Alabama football see in the Sugar Bowl? Maybe both and Bryant’s passing success, or lack of it, against the Crimson Tide will hinge on pressure. Bryant must be forced to pass under duress. Additionally, Tide defenders cannot allow him to escape the pocket for rushing gains.
It is not fair to compare Bryant to Deshaun Watson who is more a once-in-a-generation player. Clemson coaches have been clear about their expectations for Bryant.
"“You don’t have to be Deshaun,” Clemson coaches told him. “We want you to just be Kelly.”"
And Kelly can beat the Tide with a big game or his failure to perform can doom the Clemson Tigers.
Next: Ten Best Alabama QB's of All-Time
For those who bristle at the suggestion, Bryant is a better passer than Jalen, stats clearly are in favor of Hurts. Comparing recent performances can lead to a different conclusion. Going back to Mississippi State, Jalen has struggled. Bryant’s late-season performance shows a clear upswing.