Alabama Football: Five reasons the Crimson Tide beats Clemson
By Ronald Evans
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
No. 4 – Minkah Fitzpatrick
No player on the 2017 Alabama football team is more like Nick Saban than Minkah Fitzpatrick. Many have called him a Saban-clone. It is a fair conclusion. Minkah hates losing as much as Nick, he is as driven to prepare for success and like Nick, his focus never, NEVER drifts.
Hunter Renfrow has been near unstoppable in two Tide – Clemson games. As a freshman, Minkah struggled mightily against Renfrow. Last season multiple Tide defenders were burned by the smallish and not especially athletic Clemson receiver.
If Clemson were to find a way to take down the Tide again, it will not be because of Hunter Renfrow. Minkah Fitzpatrick will see to that.
Just how good is Minkah. Instead of listing the player awards and post-season honors, listen to other players. Former Crimson Tide defensive back and now Green Bay Packer, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix says Minkah is the best Alabama football defensive back in the Saban era. That is quite a statement considering seven former Tide DB’s now play in the NFL.
Reason No. 5 – Special Teams
The differences between Alabama football and Clemson by position groups are slight. When all groups are combined and measured, the teams are near equal in strength. One exception is in special teams. Because of J.K. Scott and Andy Pappanastos, Alabama football has a clear advantage.
In a game that may be close in other ways, the special teams’ advantage can be the difference.
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Others for unfathomable reasons may decry there are five or more reasons why Clemson will beat Alabama. Maybe there are some good reasons. Whatever those reasons are, we doubt they are good enough to portend a Clemson victory.