Alabama Football: Bama Hammer’s Sugar Bowl 2018 game predictions
Jonathan Hornsby, Bama Hammer Contributor @BammerJH
Movie fans love a good trilogy. College football fans are getting their own taste of a trilogy with the third meeting in as many years between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff.
After this year’s Iron Bowl, many Bama fans were left scratching their heads and wondering why the running game seemed to not include explosive running backs in Damien Harris and Bo Scarborough. The two backs combined for only 12 carries and 97 yards, while quarterback Jalen Hurts ran the ball 18 times himself. Auburn was the toughest defense that Bama faced to date.
However, Clemson is tougher.
The Alabama offensive line has its hands full with a stellar Clemson front seven, and they need to play their best game of the year to help establish the run game (with RBs, this time). Otherwise, it could be a repeat of the Iron Bowl with Jalen running for his life, as the pocket collapses around him with nary an open receiver.
On the other side of the ball, the Alabama secondary is its healthiest since the kickoff of the opening game against Florida State. Mack Wilson and Christian Miller saw playing time in the Iron Bowl, but their play looked rusty after minimal practice before live-action play. Look for their play to significantly improve with the extra practice time.
This looks to be a classic college football game with explosive offenses and dominating defenses coming from both sidelines. Movie fans also know that the good guys always win.
Brandon Nickel, Bama Hammer Co-Site Expert @BrandonNickel36
Ah, the sweet, sweet smell of the playoffs!
Bowl game after bowl game starts and ends this holiday season, but only two games have captured the attention of the nation: the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. True fight fans would understand that the undercard is fun but it’s all about the championship.
Alabama football fans can almost taste it in the air. The sugary glazed ideas of victory dancing in their heads. Can it be true? Can Alabama have their cake and eat it too? Will Alabama actually win one of college football’s greatest trilogies and a berth in the national championship on the same night?
Based on much criticism, Alabama’s offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will, undoubtedly, run the ball with actual running backs in this game. Clemson will stack the box with their ferocious Tiger D-Line and linebackers, but the Crimson Tide’s offensive line should be better than much of what they have seen before.
Shout out to Meredith Hornsby for calling out Ross Pierschbacher most of the season, as he has been the only real weak link in the chain. Even though J.C. Hassenauer was practicing at center earlier this week, expect him to replace Pierschbacher quickly if he gives the proverbial matador’s ole, allowing Clemson through the pass protection.
The scrappy play between Alabama’s offense and Clemson’s defense will make the other side of the ball that much more vital.
The most important player to watch will be defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will need the game of his life. NFL scouts have been salivating to get a chance at drafting Fitzpatrick, and they will all be watching possibly the last game of his college career. To make a lasting impression, Fitzpatrick will be motivated for personal success, financially as well as emotionally, as well as team glory.
What a game to need it, too.
Clemson’s quarterback Kelly Bryant runs well, even if he isn’t as good a passer as his predecessor Deshaun Watson. He has confused and frustrated many opposing defenses over whether he would pass or run the ball. Except for Syracuse, who held Bryant to negative eight rushing yards and defeated Clemson, 27-24.
Bryant only had the first half to be relevant, as he suffered a concussion and did not return for the second half; however, it proved two things: Bryant can be contained and Clemson is not unbeatable.
Cue Fitzpatrick.
It will be Fitzpatrick’s job to decide whether to jump Clemson’s wide receivers’ routes deep in the secondary or to cheat up to contain Bryant. Since he’s the best in college football at doing so, Fitzpatrick just has to do his job to the best of his capabilities to ensure Alabama’s defense has a good night.
It will be a tight battle, which makes the war in the trenches that much more important in this game. If Alabama’s offensive line has a better night than Clemson’s, the Crimson Tide will be tasting the success from this year’s Sugar Bowl. If Alabama does win, Fitzpatrick will also likely be entitled to the biggest swing of that sweet nectar of the CFPlayoff gods.