This again? Yes, this again. Alabama football and Clemson will meet for the fourth consecutive time and will duel it out for the National Championship. Got a problem with it? Too bad, beat them.
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers. It doesn’t get much better than that. The two teams, along with a few yearly visitors, have ruled the college football mountain. Alabama football is looking to repeat, something that they haven’t done since the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Tigers, on the other hand, are seeking revenge.
As good as Tua Tagovailoa is, we have seen his true colors against a well-developed defense. Clemson has one of those defenses. He is about to be face to face with the biggest task in his college football career. It is obvious that the game will be played under the helm of Tua, so I do not expect any miraculous quarterback runs. I fully expect a strict diet of down-field bombs, Tua style slants, and creative running.
That’s worked all season, so what’s wrong with that? Well, we haven’t played Clemson all season, that’s what’s wrong with that. Yes, the injured ankle and knee may have had a lot to do with it, but Tua looked very human against Georgia. That entire game lacked the Tagovailoa magic that we have witnessed all season.
No Lucky Comebacks
So, then comes forth the argument that if Tua is not on his A-game, will Jalen Hurts be a better option. Well, in the words of Lee Corso, not so fast! We were lucky to have played a Georgia Bulldogs team that only focused on one quarterback. After falling victim to our lucky comeback in the 2017 National Championship game, you would figure they would have learned their lesson. Apparently not.
I can almost guarantee you that Clemson is just as prepared for Jalen as they are for Tua. Dabo Swinney knows Jalen Hurts very well. He knows how to beat him. So, if you think switching quarterbacks and catching the defense off guard like we have done back-to-back to Georgia, will secure a victory, then you are dead wrong.
In order to win this game, Tua must put on the greatest show of his life. If the Crimson Tide is getting beat like a drum at halftime, then that is the ball game. We do not have the option of getting behind. This Clemson team reminds me of a Hugh Freeze Ole Miss squad on steroids. And, I think we all remember what happened with them.
My Prediction
Clemson’s offensive line is not that impressive. I believe we will get to Trevor Lawrence quite a few times throughout the game. But, the other moving parts of our defense have not impressed me much throughout the season. There are definitely parts of the D that has matured, but there are other parts that seem to be playing worse.
Tua looked great against Oklahoma. His ankle may not have been 100 percent, but he was definitely playing more like a Heisman contender. The problem is, Clemson is not Oklahoma. If there is a current team in college football to compare Clemson with, it’s Georgia. And honestly, that scares me a whole lot more.
If our defense continues to play with a lackluster effort, and Tua is not able to overcome the fierce defense of the Tigers, I do not expect us to even stand a chance. But, I do not think that will happen.
I expect some of our younger defensive players to still play inconsistently, but I have full faith that the real playmakers will step up on Monday. If our defense can play stout in key areas, get to Trevor Lawrence at the right times, and minimize his down-field passing success, then I believe we will be just fine.
I am not sure what is going to happen with our offense. But, with a strong defensive effort from Alabama football, I believe Tua will find it in him to make the Clemson D look like fools. Coach Saban once said, “Everybody wants to be a success. Not everybody is willing to do what they have to do to achieve it”. Every Alabama football player and staff member prepares to achieve greatness. That preparation must be followed by execution to win this National Championship.
Bryant Barger Game Prediction: Alabama 27 – Clemson 24
Make sure to stay tuned to Bama Hammer in the coming days for even more analysis and predictions on the National Championship game.