RNG vs. RNG: Opposing National Championship Preview and Predictions, Alabama vs. Clemson

Written by Ryan Wright and Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @HogManInLA and @charlie_cds3

Since the BCS era began ahead of the 1998 season only one northern team has cracked the south’s dominating grip on college football. Over the last 17 years, the Buckeyes have twice swept away honors winning in 2002 and 2014. The title game for the 2015 season has a true southern flavor pitting SEC powerhouse Alabama (13-1, 7-1) against an emerging Clemson (14-0, 8-0) program.

Alabama is on the verge of making history after putting together a string of successful seasons not seen on the collegiate gridiron since Notre Dame ruled the game in the 1940’s. No other program in the modern era has won four titles in the span of seven years (2009, 2011, and 2012). The Crimson Tide made their second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance getting to the national semifinal game after beating Florida 29-15 in the SEC Championship Game. Their potential ticket to football immortality was punched by beating Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.

Since Dabo Swinney took over the Clemson program midway through the 2008 season, the Tigers have been on the verge of being one of the game’s elite teams. Swinney has guided Clemson to five consecutive double-digit win seasons coming up just short in ACC play against bitter rival Florida State time and time again. Swinney and the Tigers bucked the trend against the Seminoles winning 23-13 and claimed a spot in the national semifinal beating North Carolina 45-37 in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson took care of Oklahoma by a score of 37-17 setting up the highly anticipated national title game against the two perceived top teams in college football.

Thoughts on who will win the national championship game is diverse and widespread which is no different on RecruitingNewsGuru.com. Two writers with two different viewpoints on the game layout their reasons and beliefs as to why Alabama will win and why Clemson will claim the trophy.

Keys to Victory by Charlie Beuttel – favoring Clemson

Clemson Defensive Line vs Alabama Running Game

The Tigers defensive line averages 6’3”, 292 pounds, and has been a dominant force all season. Defensive ends Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson and defensive tackles Carlos Watkins and D.J. Reader have combined for 60 tackles for a loss and 23.5 sacks in 2015 are up to the challenge of stopping Heisman winner Derrick Henry and Alabama’s running game.

In their semifinal matchup against Oklahoma, Clemson gave up just 67 rushing yards on 33 carries and will have to put up similar numbers to beat the Crimson Tide. On the hand, Henry has 2,061 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns, and averages 147.2 yards per game. Whoever can win this battle at the line of scrimmage will have the upper hand in the outcome of the game.

Does Alabama have an answer for Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson?

Clemson has been led all year by sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson. The playmaker finished third in the Heisman race and put up incredible numbers by throwing for 3,699 yards, and 31 touchdowns while running for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns. Not only has Watson put up these great passing numbers but he also has completed 303 of his 444 passes which comes out to a 68.2 completion percentage. In the National Semifinal against Oklahoma, Watson had a huge part in the win as he threw for 187 yards with one touchdowns and rushed for 145 yards and another score.

Alabama will definitely have their hands full as they will try to limit this 6’2”, 210 pound, Clemson star. Watson has the reputation of putting up big numbers on the big stage so it won’t be a surprise if he does it one more time and leads his team to a National Title.

Can Clemson running back Wayne Gallman have a big game against Alabama?

Redshirt-sophomore Wayne Gallman (6’1”, 215) has had a tremendous season as he racked up 1,482 yards on 269 carries and has 12 rushing touchdowns. Gallman averages 5.5 yards a carry and 114 yards per game but will have a tough test against Alabama. The sophomore has had several big performances this year including against Oklahoma as he ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns and against North Carolina in the ACC Championship as he had 187 yards and one score. Alabama on the other hand, gives up just 70.8 rushing yards a game and will be up for the challenge of stopping Gallman. If Clemson wants to win, Gallman must a big performance against the Crimson Tide’s lockdown defense.

Keys to Victory by Ryan Wright – favoring Alabama

Alabama’s Defense vs. Clemson’s Defense

Hands down the two biggest strengths of either team is their defense. Alabama enters the game with the nation’s No. 2 ranked total defense only allowing 257 yards per game. Clemson is close behind ranked No. 6 limiting teams to just 302 yards.

Both defenses have been tested but perhaps one more than the other. Clemson has faced two Top 40 ranked total offenses in No. 18 North Carolina, winning 45-37, and No. 27 Notre Dame, winning 24-22. Alabama has faced No. 10 Ole Miss, a 43-37 loss aided by five Crimson Tide turnovers, No. 29 Arkansas, a 27-14 win, No. 31 Mississippi State, a 31-6 win, and No. 39 LSU, a 30-16 win.

Alabama has faced dual-threat quarterbacks in Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Mississippi State. Watson is an amazing talent but he will not present something Alabama has not seen this year. Stopping him is a whole other problem.

Crimson’s Run Defense vs. Alabama’s Run Defense

Good luck trying to run against Alabama. The Tide leads the nation in run defense stopping teams cold at an average of 71 yards a game. Clemson has the No. 18 ranked run defense allowing 124 yards per contest.

Stats are what one makes of them and per the stats Clemson has not been exposed to that many true I-back running offenses. The Tigers have faced No. 8 ranked running offense in Georgia Tech, a wishbone-run option attack, and No. 19 North Carolina, a spread offense. No. 28 Notre Dame and No. 31 North Carolina State might be the best gauge for the Tigers. The Fighting Irish put up 432 yards of total offense but turned the ball over four times. To Clemson’s credit, NDU only picked up 111 of those yards on the ground. The Wolfpack was stuffed to 135 yards on the ground.

Alabama has faced the No. 4 ranked run defense in Wisconsin, No. 11 in Michigan State, No. 12 with Arkansas, No. 17 in LSU, No. 23 in Ole Miss, and No. 25 in Florida and running back Derrick Henry still won the Heisman Trophy.

Alabama’s Game Experience vs. Clemson’s Game Experience

ACC fans, get ready to crawl out of your skin… If game experience against top competition counts for anything, Clemson may be in for a long night. The Tigers have four wins against teams ranked in the Top 25 at the time of play; then- No. 6 Notre Dame, No. 16 Florida State, No. 10 North Carolina, and No. 4 Oklahoma. Their total margin of victory in the four games was 10 points on average. Alabama has played eight ranked teams winning by an average of 18.6 points going 7-1.

Strength of schedule has Alabama playing the toughest in the nation with Clemson playing the 30th “toughest” schedule. Their lone loss was to the team with the 16th toughest schedule, Ole Miss. The Tide are well tested and battle ready.

Final Analysis by Charlie Beuttel

Clemson is undefeated and yet are still turning doubters into believers. The Tigers weren’t expected to beat Oklahoma and yet blew out the Big 12 Champions, 37-17. The Clemson coaching staff will definitely have their team ready for this test against perennial powerhouse, Alabama in this David vs Goliath matchup. Clemson has the talent and skill on offense and defense to upset the Crimson Tide and bring home their second National Championship (1981).

Prediction: Clemson 31, Alabama 27 

Final Analysis by Ryan Wright

What Alabama has done on offense with their massive offensive line highlighted by Derrick Henry’s 2,061 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns is nothing short of amazing. Michigan State was the Big Ten’s best and the nation’s No. 26 ranked team in total defense. The Tide ripped through the Spartans for 440 yards of total offense getting 154 on the ground that included two Henry touchdown runs.

Clemson looked sharp against Oklahoma, the nation’s No. 39 ranked total defense, collecting 530 yards of offense. Watson only completed 51 percent of his passes and had to rush 24 times for 145 yards to keep the chains moving. Gallman had a good game as well with 150 yards, but don’t expect that to happen against Bama.

Mayfield threw for 311 yards vs. Clemson. Coker hit MSU for 286 completing 25 of 30 with two scores and no picks. The Tide are just too balanced on both sides of the ball. Watson’s legs are Clemson’s best chance at making this a game.

The SEC has put up an 8-2 overall record in the 2015 bowl games, the ACC has gone 4-5. Make space on the mantle for Alabama’s 16th claimed National Championship.

Prediction: Alabama 38, Clemson 21

Game Info

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m.

Date: Jan. 11

Location: Glendale, Arizona

Site: University of Phoenix Stadium

Coverage: ESPN

Line: Alabama -7

Photo credit: sportsworldreport.com; No. 27 Derrick Henry breaks one against Wisconsin.

Photo credit: rubbingtherock.com; No. 3 Deshaun Watson celebrates a Clemson touchdown.

Photo credit: wspa.com; 2016 National Championship logo.