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Alabama Football: Bama Hammer’s Sugar Bowl 2018 game predictions

By Brandon Nickel

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers after the Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers after the Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Alabama football offensive line led by Brad Bozeman
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman /

Alabama football fans, check out the Bama Hammer staff game predictions for the Crimson Tide’s Sugar Bowl match against the Clemson Tigers.

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Bobby Martin, New Bama Hammer Contributor @BigBam3

Regardless of what football fans say on social media, I don’t think anyone is upset about having to watch the rubber match between Clemson and Alabama. Though this game is in the College Football Semifinals instead of the championship game, it’s importance isn’t diminished one bit.

The eyes of the country will be in New Orleans after back-to-back thrillers between these two Goliaths. Jalen Hurts will lead his Alabama team into the dome to face Kelly Bryant’s offense and a nasty Clemson defensive front seven.

If Alabama is going to win this game, they must attack the edges of the defense. Throw wide receiver screens, run jet sweeps, flare the running backs into the flats to catch passes. Whatever it takes to soften up that front seven.

Essentially, they need to call Lane Kiffin and have him call the game from his fishing boat in Boca Raton. Keep it simple, no fancy stuff is necessary. Get the ball out of Jalen’s hands as quickly as possible and let the playmakers make plays.

The Alabama defense will be tested. The three-headed monster of Deshaun Watson, Wayne Gallman, and Mike Williams is gone to the NFL. That said, the Clemson offense is still ranked in the top 30 in the country in total offense. Also, they still have that pesky little Hunter Renfrow that always seems to be open.

After the game is over, I think this will go down as another instant classic. My nerves will be shot and I will probably be drinking a multitude of adult beverages.  Look for the slugfest to go back and forth before the Tide eventually wins a close one.

Alabama 27 – Clemson 21. Roll Tide Y’all!

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