Rating the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson by position groups

How the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers measure up when comparing position groups in the National Championship game.

When the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers contend for a national championship Monday night, some will call the game a chess match between two teams nearly equal in talent. Others may argue the outcome will hinge on the ‘Jimmy’s and Joe’s’ rather than the ‘X’s and O’s.’

If the outcome can be determined by talent alone, the Alabama Crimson Tide has an edge. Clemson is also a very talented football team and Dabo has recruited very well but not at the level of Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

There is no doubt chance or fate can determine a game’s outcome. But what most determines the outcome of any game, especially a national championship, is execution. Most experienced coaches believe games, particularly those between two very good teams, come down to who executes on no more than a few very big plays. Since few of those big plays can be identified in advance, every snap carries a near equal burden on execution.

Since we can’t predict the big plays, they cannot be analyzed in advance. Fans have another predictive option. We can dissect either position group matchups or measure the advantages by teams at certain positions.

The ratings below do not include any citations of stats or facts. They are subjective and may or may not be educated opinions. They are how I honestly see the two teams. The ratings are categorized as: Even; Slight Advantage; Advantage and Big Advantage.

Alabama Offensive Line vs Clemson Defensive Line – Advantage Clemson

Alabama Defensive Line vs Clemson Offensive Line – Big Advantage Alabama

Alabama Receivers vs Clemson Secondary – Big Advantage Alabama 

Alabama Secondary vs. Clemson Receivers – Slight Advantage Clemson

Alabama Quarterback (Tua) vs. Clemson QB (Trevor Lawrence) – Big Advantage Alabama

Alabama Quarterback (Jalen) vs. Clemson QB (Lawrence) – Slight Advantage Clemson

Alabama Linebackers vs. Clemson Linebackers – Even

Alabama Running Backs vs. Clemson Running Backs – Big Advantage Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide Coaching Staff vs. Clemson Tigers Coaching Staff – Advantage Alabama

Elaboration of Position Ratings (or where I am less sure)

• If I am off on the Tide O-line against the Clemson D-line, it might be closer, as in a slight advantage to Clemson.
• The Tide secondary against the Clemson receivers should possibly be even, and even slight advantage to the Crimson Tide if Lawrence is frequently under pressure.
• On Jalen vs. Tua, it is a hard call. The Jalen we all saw in the SEC Championship game is probably better than Lawrence or at least, even.
• The linebackers may not be even and certainly, would not be with a healthy Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller.
• The coaching staff call is a no-brainer. The Crimson Tide has college football’s greatest ever head coach. The Tigers do have continuity and that is no small thing.

Based on these ratings, the Alabama Crimson Tide is in a strong position to repeat as National Champion and cement a legacy as the Greatest CFB Dynasty of all-time.

When the Tide wins again on Monday night, Dabo will graciously congratulate Nick Saban and his alma mater. Most of the rest of the CFB world will be clamoring for participation trophies for next season. Long live the Alabama Crimson Tide!