Football schedule analysis, Basketball thoughts, Baseball soon

It has been three weeks since that glorious night in Tampa. The shine from the golden CFB Playoff trophy hasn't dulled a tiny bit.

Still, time moves on and the 2017 season is on deck. The first step in moving on came this past week when the ACC released the conference-wide football schedule. For Clemson fans, that means it's time to look forward to what is just the second season in program history as the reigning National Champions.

At first glance, I felt good about the schedule. Aside from Auburn (home) and Louisville (away), there's not a spot on the schedule that seems daunting. There are not back-to-back road games. The only non-Saturday game is a Friday night at Syracuse after a home game against Wake Forest. The dreaded triple-option of Georgia Tech visits Death Valley after a Clemson bye week, giving the Tigers an extra week of preparation. (Side note: Brent Venables does a fantastic job against this offense, so there really isn't much concern with the Jackets anymore).The Florida State game was pushed back a week from its previous two seasons' scheduled weekend and is the final conference game for Clemson. That could mean celebrating a third straight division title at the expense of the Noles.

Then, I realized the Tigers have an extremely tough opening month. New faces will be starting across the offense and at some key defensive positions with three conference games plus the home date with Auburn. It's likely that three of the five games will be against ranked opponents (Auburn, Louisville and Virginia Tech). Two of those three are road games - one against the defending Heisman winner and one a rematch of the ACC Championship game.

With the turnover and unknowns of who will be starting and how they will play in their roles, I think it's safe to say Clemson should be looking at a 4-1 start, but no worse than 3-2. If the Tigers are 5-0 entering October - which has just three games (Wake, Syracuse and Georgia Tech) - it's likely they will be 8-0 going into November and squarely in the Playoff conversation for the third straight season. Even at 7-1, Clemson won't be outside the Top 10 that late in the season.

It'll be a long down time as it usually is. However, there's no better feeling than being the defending champs during the long summer months.

On the basketball court, Clemson ended a six-game losing streak with a 67-60 road win at Pittsburgh, who is equally as bad. The Tigers are 2-6 in the ACC and 12-8 overall. Brad Brownell's squad finished the non-conference slate with an impressive 10-2 record and unbeaten month of December. But it's been all downhill since in conference play.

I love all things Clemson, so don't take this the wrong way, but with the great basketball powers in the ACC it'll be difficult for Clemson to ever sustain success. North Carolina, Duke, Syracuse, Louisville, Virginia, Notre Dame ... those schools consistently will be at the top. Clemson can certainly finish yearly in the middle-tier and make a push a few times a decade into the top five of the conference. Living there, however, won't happen.

When Oliver Purnell had success, he brought with him a different style of play. I think of it similar to what Chad Morris did with the Clemson offense. It was unique to the ACC and gave Clemson the leg up it needed. Clemson won't be able to draw in McDonald's HS All-Americans every year. Heck, to get one a decade would be nice. The Tigers will recruit what I call "the leftovers" and need to bring something different to the table to level the field. Brownell hasn't implemented anything unique and thus Clemson remains in the middle-to-bottom of the ACC.

Over to the baseball diamond where the defending ACC Champions are gearing up at another run under the second season with Monte Lee at the helm. To be honest, I haven't delved much into the baseball roster. I know a lot returns, namely National Player of the Year Seth Beer. But I'm not sure how the pitching staff looks and what the lineup looks like around Beer.

I'll get on that in the coming week or two. The season opens Feb. 17 with a series against Wright State. Clemson plays eight straight at home before the big series with rival South Carolina. The Gamecocks are a solid top five team, while Clemson is somewhere in the top 10-15 range depending on the poll you trust (and there are lots of them in college baseball).

Clemson's conference schedule is tough with Virginia, Wake Forest and Louisville among others coming to Doug Kingsmore Stadium, and the Tigers having to travel to Boston College, Georgia Tech, Florida State, North Carolina and NC State - all NCAA Tournament teams a season ago.

With Coastal Carolina winning the 2016 College World Series and South Carolina having won twice in the early part of the decade, it's time for Clemson to finally reach college baseball's pinnacle.

-BtW

Four Shades of Red

You've read the book - or at least heard of it. Fifty Shades of Grey is one of the top selling books of all-time.

The Clemson Tigers could write their own book, a twist on the original. As Dabo Swinney said during Clemson's championship celebration, “I told the team all year long, you have the pen in your hands and we write the story, we write the ending.”

That ending would include the final four chapters of the Tigers' National Championship run. The final four games of the 2016-17 season includes wins over South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Alabama. All four teams a shade of red and all four wins delivered a championship. 

BENched presents excerpts from Four Shades of Red.

Garnet

This chapter is the beatdown of epic proportions the Tigers put on the Gamecocks. Final score: Clemson 56, South Carolina 7. The talent gap on the field was evident. Nothing South Carolina could do was going to keep the game close.

Mike Williams carried a Gamecocks defender into the end zone,
one of his three scores on the night.
(Photo courtesy The State)

Deshaun Watson threw six touchdown passes. Mike Williams caught six balls for 100 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Clemson gained 622 yards of offense, while the defense gave up 218. The starters were removed late in the third quarter.

The win was the third straight in the series and pushed Clemson's overall series lead to 68-42-4. Watson delivered on a promise he made in high school that he would never lose to the Gamecocks. He finishes his career a perfect 3-0 record with an average margin of victory 24 points. 

Of course, this wasn't a normal game. This was an in-state rivalry with plenty of hatred on both sides. A shouting match broke out during pregame warmups between the teams. Swinney called a timeout with his starters on the field late in the fourth quarter to honor the seniors one last time in Death Valley, but the Gamecocks didn't take too kindly to that. There's a new motto for South Carolina - never again - referring to the pain felt during the loss. 

Championship won: State. Clemson claimed the Palmetto Bowl trophy.

Maroon

The next chapter sees the Tigers head south to Orlando, Fla., for the ACC Championship against a salty Virginia Tech squad. A win puts Clemson into the College Football Playoff. Plenty was on the line and the Hokies were seeking a strong finish to an unexpected ACC Coastal Championship in Justin Fuente's debut season.

Clemson's offense was clicking early and often, jumping out to leads of 14-0 and 35-14. Watson fired on all cylinders with 288 yards and three touchdowns passing, while rushing for 85 yards and two more scores. 

Deshaun Watson flexes after his final touchdown
in the 2016 ACC Championship Game.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

However, the Virginia Tech offense wouldn't be held down for long. The Hokies, led by JuCo transfer quarterback Jerod Evans, hit their stride and closed the gap late. Consecutive scores by VT made it 35-28 early in the fourth quarter. Watson led the Tigers on a scoring drive to extend the lead back to 14, but the Hokies quickly scored again to get within seven.

Then, with Virginia Tech driving to tie it, Cordrea Tankersley picked off his second pass of the game to seal the deal. Clemson won the game 42-35. Watson earn his second straight Championship Game Player of the Game honors and the Tigers claimed back-to-back conference titles for the first time since winning three straight from 1986-88.

Championship won: Conference. Clemson claimed the ACC Championship trophy.

Scarlet

Clemson was selected the No. 2 team in the College Football Playoff with a 12-1 record. Their opponent, No. 3 Ohio State, which finished the season 11-1. The two teams were matched up in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, one of the two semifinal sites this season.

Controversy over the Buckeyes' selection was plentiful. Ohio State finished tied with Penn State atop the Big Ten East Division, but the Nittany Lions went to the conference title game because of their head-to-head win over OSU. Penn State won the conference championship, but was left out because of a September loss to Pittsburgh.

Clemson's defense proved too much for JT Barrett
and the Ohio State offense.
(Photo courtesy azcentral sports)

Many thought Urban Meyer and Ohio State would be out to prove they belonged. That never came to fruition. The Buckeyes struggled to move the ball against Clemson's stout defense and missed two field goals in the first quarter. Slowly, but surely, the Tigers began picking up yards and found the end zone once. Then again. And again in the second half. When it was all over, the scoreboard read 31-0.

Like a boa constrictor, Clemson squeezed the life out of the Ohio State sideline. Once again, it was a night Watson would not be stopped. He accounted for three scores and never wavered after two interceptions. Clemson's defense, though, was the story, blanking the Buckeyes for the first time in over two decades. The Tigers racked up 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, and held Ohio State's vaunted rushing attack - which entered averaging nearly 260 yards on the ground per game - to just 88 yards.

Championship won: Bowl and Semifinal. Clemson claimed the Fiesta Bowl trophy along with a CFB Playoff Semifinal award.

Crimson

This was the rematch many predicted in July and August. Alabama was the overwhelming pick as the No. 1 team in the land. Just on the Crimson Tide's heels were the Tigers, selected No. 2 in the preseason. 

Bama rolled to a 14-0 lead and seemed to have the game where it wanted. Watson was still trying to figure out the flow of the game. The Tigers didn't have an answer for running back Bo Scarbrough. Then, a short screen pass to Deon Cain went for 44 yards and opened things up. Clemson scored to cut the deficit in half before the intermission.

Deshaun Watson celebrates his final pass of his collegiate career,
a National Championship-winning touchdown to Hunter Renfrow.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

The second half was full of spectacular plays on both sides. Honestly, it could be a book all on its own. From Hunter Renfrow's touchdown saving tackle after a Clemson fumble to OJ Howard streaking down the sideline uncovered again to several Mike Williams athletic catches to Jordan Leggett's acrobatic grab to a Jalen Hurts' go-ahead TD with two minutes remaining to the final punctuation mark, a Renfrow touchdown with one second left. Three crucial drives were made in the final five minutes of the game. Each resulting score caused the lead to change hands. 

It was a fitting end for Watson to hit Renfrow for the game-winning score. It was fitting that Clemson ran an onside kick and recovered it. It was fitting that Watson took the game's final snap for a kneel down. 

Clemson won its first title in 35 years. The Tigers scored 35 points. Clemson won by a final margin of 35-31 - four points. The Tigers' MVP wears No. 4. The storybook ending was written. As Swinney said, “And what an ending they wrote Monday night in Tampa.”

Championship won: National Championship. Clemson caps the season as the unanimous No. 1 team in both the AP and Coaches Polls. That earned the Tigers the CFB Playoff National Championship trophy and the Coaches Crystal Ball trophy.

The 2016 National Champion Clemson Tigers celebrating on stage in Tampa, Fla.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

The Morn...NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

As clear as can be, the Clemson Tigers are National Champions!

Sorry for the interruption of that headline, but WE'RE THE FREAKING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL!

It sounds better every time I say it or write it or text it. What a whirlwind it has been since that late Monday night slash early Tuesday morning in Tampa. I'm not sure the smile has left my face.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the best "The Morning After..." ever! It's The (third) Morning After... A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

1) I'm pretty sure no one wearing orange and purple ever doubted Deshaun Watson. The poise and moxy he showed Monday night was something Tiger fans have seen since his first pass against Georgia three seasons ago. Down 14-0 and facing the best defense in college football, Watson and the Clemson offense found their rhythm. I've heard multiple reports of tweets and in-game analysis blasting Watson for being rattled and confused. But I'm here to tell you folks, he was just feeling out the game. That's what great quarterbacks do. They get a feel for the flow of the game and try to find that one play that puts the offense in motion.

Deshaun Watson has a moment with the only trophy that matters.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

That one play was a 44-yard screen pass to Deon Cain. From that point on, every player on Clemson's offense made play after play, from Mike Williams' insane ability to high-point the football to Jordan Leggett's crazy acrobatics to Hunter Renfrow's eye for the end zone in championship games. The preseason talk of all the weapons Clemson had on that side of the ball was justified. Clemson had playmakers making plays and no one, not even the No. 1 Crimson Tide was gonna stop them.

2) Aside from the touchdowns, there were two very important plays made. First, was the tackle out of nowhere after a Wayne Gallman fumble to begin the third quarter. With Clemson trailing 14-7 and receiving the ball after halftime, it appeared the Tigers would be able to sustain a drive and show the adjustments made at the break. Instead, Gallman fumbled and Ryan Anderson scooped it up for the Tide. Anderson was racing to the end zone for a few steps while looking over his right shoulder. But from the left came Renfrow, who took out Anderson's legs and saved a touchdown. Bama was set up at the 16, but a false start pushed them back and the drive stalled, forcing Nick Saban to send on his field goal unit. The kick was good and the Tide led by double-digits, 17-7. However, it could have been 21-7 - after another defensive TD for Bama - if not for the Renfrow tackle.

2B) The second was another game-changing tackle. With the score 24-21 Alabama, the Tide were nearing midfield. On 3rd and 10, QB Jalen Hurts tossed a short pass to OJ Howard. Howard had what looked like a clear lane for a first down. Freshman defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was trailing the play, reached a paw out and grabbed a one of Howard's feet, tripping him up and forcing a fourth down. Bama punted into the endzone and although Clemson went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, the momentum was stopped. A first down there would have been devastating for the Tigers D. It would have been a first down on the Clemson side of the 50 and the drive very well could have resulted in points.

3) OK, OK, let's talk about "The Drive." How did we get there? Well, Gallman scored with 4:38 left to give Clemson its first lead of the night, 28-24. Tiger nation went berserk inside Raymond James Stadium and it looked like the defense would get a stop on the next series. Alabama faced 3rd and 16 after Ben Boulware perfectly read a screen pass and slammed the Bama running back to the turf, sending the orange-clad faithful into a frenzy. But Hurts floated a pass over the middle which was caught a yard shy of the first down marker. Bama converted on fourth down, ran a double-pass trick play later and Hurts finished with a 30-yard scamper to put the Tide back on top 31-28 with 2:07 to go.

I immediately, without hesitation, turned to the fans around me with two fingers in the air and said, "Too much time. They left us too much time." Again, referring to No. 1 of this post, I never doubted what would happen next. Watson put all of Clemson on his shoulders. First, a short pass to Leggett for positive yards to start the drive. Not monumental, but the perfect way to start the drive. Then, a stellar catch by Williams down the Clemson sideline for 24 yards into Bama territory. Clemson reached into its bag of tricks for a hook-and-ladder from Watson to Artavis Scott to Gallman. It looked like it might be stopped for a loss or no gain, but the Wayne Train kept chugging and gained six yards. Watson picked up another short gain before hitting Renfrow for a key third-down conversion. Watson clocked the ball setting up the biggest catch of Leggett's career. With 19 seconds to go, Watson dropped back and threw under immense pressure to a twirling Leggett. He was running down the left side, turned to his right just in time to see the ball sailing to the sideline, twisted and grabbed the pass out of the air to put Clemson inside the 10-yard line. I've seen the slow motion replay of this catch 50 times and it felt even slower in real time. Man, what a catch.

1st and goal - incomplete pass, an overthrow by Watson to Leggett in the right corner.
2nd and goal - incomplete pass, but a pass interference penalty moving the ball to the 2 and another 1st down.

Deshaun Watson sprints down the field arms open
while Hunter Renfrow celebrates in the background
after the Tigers scored with one second remaining.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

Then ... The Play: Crush.

Watson rolls right, Renfrow off the rub route is wiiide open. TOUCHDOWN TIGERS! One second left. As Dabo pointed out, it's the epitome of this program - a five-star quarterback recruit throwing to a no-name walk-on for the biggest play of the national championship. The rest is history.

4) I could not be happier for several players' accomplishments in the game. Watson has received his due, and rightfully so, but there are others who had their moments in the game.

• First and foremost in my opinion is Gallman's touchdown. The under-utilized tailback was able to score in the Natty. He only had 46 yards, but the 46th was arguably the biggest moment of his life. 
• Second, Williams' touchdown early in the fourth quarter and his two incredible leaping grabs. There's not a better physical receiver in the country and I can't wait to see him play on Sundays. 
• Leggett's aforementioned catch came shortly after he dropped a pass that would have kept a Clemson drive alive. In that moment, I felt awful for the decorated tight end. I didn't want him to be remembered as the player who let that one slip away. He made amends for it in a huge way. 
• Scott was almost invisible on this night, with just three catches for six yards and a run for no gain. But the junior receiver was able to hoist the trophy in front of family and friends in his home town. A great feeling for a guy who has done so much for the program while generally being the second or third option.
• Cordrea Tankersley absolutely shut down Calvin Ridley. The Bama receiver had five catches for 36 yards, but Tank did what he's done all year - not allowing a bigtime receiver to make a bigtime plays.

Clemson defenders Christian Wilkins, Ben Boulware and
Carlos Watkins celebrate on stage.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

5) Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the heart and soul of the defense, Boulware and Christian Wilkins. The passion those two showed this season and coming through on their promises from last January, that'll be something I'll always remember. Senior Carlos Watkins also gets a nod for going about his business with little fanfare.

6) Some noteworthy stats: Clemson's seven tackles for loss vaulted the Tigers to No. 1 in that category for the fourth straight season. ... Clemson closed the season defeating the No. 2 and No. 1 teams, according to the AP Poll. Each win was the highest-rated victory in program history. Previously, Clemson's best win was over a No. 3-ranked team (FSU 2003, Louisville 2016). ... Clemson had outscored opponents 176-27 in the first quarter this season and had never trailed after one quarter entering the game. Alabama led 7-0 at the end of the first. ... Clemson had not trailed at halftime either, but the Tide were up 14-7 at intermission. ... Alabama was 97-0 under Saban when leading by 10+ points in the fourth quarter. The Tide led 24-14, but were outscored 21-7 and lost 35-31. ... After trailing 14-0, Clemson outscored Alabama 35-17 the rest of the way, including 28-17 in the second half. 

7) I figured I'd end with this: What a season. My university has won a national championship for the first time in my lifetime. It was one of the most epic games in college football championship history. It was a thriller literally until the last second. You know what was great? We recovered the onside kick and celebrated thinking the game was over. For 10-15 seconds, we thought we were champions. Then, they announced the play was being reviewed. Clemson got the ball with one second, took a knee, and celebrated again. I thought to myself, "This is SO NICE, they're letting us celebrate TWICE!" Honestly, the celebration never ended, it just continued and is still ongoing.

Thank you to all my loyal TMA and BENched readers. I enjoy providing you my thoughts every fall weekend. I appreciate you being along for the ride once again. I will have plenty more from this game, including a full weekend recap in Tampa and some interesting things that happened at the game from my perspective. A different take on your typical TMA. One last thing:

WE'RE NATIONAL CHAMPS!

"At the top of the mountain, that Clemson flag is flying!" -Dabo Swinney

-BtW

National Championship Prediction - Tigers vs. Crimson Tide

It's here. Again.

College football's National Championship awaits. An unprecedented rematch pits the No. 2 Clemson Tigers (13-1) against the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (14-0). The script is flipped from a year ago when Clemson entered unbeaten and No. 1 with the Tide ranked second at 13-1. Alabama won 45-40.

It's a different year and both teams have proven to be on top of their games going into Monday. Here are a few last-minute notes:

• Alabama has not lost in a National Championship Game under Nick Saban.
• Clemson is 27-2 in the past two seasons; Alabama is 28-1. The Tide are on a 26-game winning streak.
• Alabama has 76 wins since the start of the 2011 season. That leads the nation. Clemson is second with 69 wins.
• The Tigers and Tide have combined to play in seven of the nine CFB Playoff games since its implementation, including each of the past six games and both National Championships.
• Clemson and Alabama have won the previous four semifinal games by an average of 26.5 points, including a shutout by each team.
• In fact, the two teams have given up a total of 24 points (17 by Clemson, 7 by Alabama) in those semifinal games.

There's no arguing these two programs have put themselves on a pedestal the past two years. Alabama and Clemson. Clemson and Alabama. No matter how you say it, you know it's big-time football.

The keys to the game are:
-Can Clemson exploit a weakness in the Alabama secondary?
-Will the Tigers offensive line give Deshaun Watson enough time to do so?
-How different will the play-calling be from Steve Sarkisian?
-Is Clemson equipped to go toe-to-toe with Alabama for four grueling quarters?
-What momentum swing will we see in this year's game?

There are a few differences from a year ago when the Tigers and Tide dueled in the desert. Clemson was dealing with injuries, especially on defense. Mackensie Alexander was hampered by a bum hamstring and left early in the game. Both Shaq Lawson and Ben Boulware were practically playing with one arm. Plus, two key ingredients were missing from Clemson's high-flying offense: Mike Williams and Deon Cain.

This year, the Tigers are fully healthy. Williams and Cain are part of the equation.

And last I checked, Watson is still at the helm.

The Tigers hope to put Alabama to bed and celebrate
the school's second National Championship.
(Photo courtesy Reuters)

It is difficult for me to pick against Clemson, y'all know that. I went against them when Louisville came to town. I was wrong. I'm just having a hard time getting over the fact that this is Alabama, the gold standard in college football. This Tide team might be the best ever, at least if you listen to the pundits.

I have concerns with their offense against a salty and laser-focused Clemson defense. I also have concerns that Alabama hasn't seen anything close to what the Tigers have to offer.

Deshaun Watson is the best player on the field for the final time as a college quarterback. And he leaves behind a legacy capped with a National Championship.

Score Prediction: Clemson 23, Alabama 17

-BtW

National Championship Preview: Clemson O vs. Alabama D

After a close look at the Clemson defense's advantages over the Alabama offense, it's time to flip the field and see where the Tigers can exploit any weakness in the Tide. Here's a hint, there ain't much.

This is ultimate unstoppable force against immoveable object. The Tigers are lightning quick, have future NFL stars at every skill position and have the best quarterback in the country, who just so happened to post 478 yards and four TDs against this same Alabama team one year ago.

The Tide don't let anyone past them. They have as many defensive touchdowns as they've allowed. You want NFL talent on defense? Just look to Alabama. Let's dig in.

(NOTE: Later this evening, BENched will provide a prediction for the game. Follow blogger Ben Whitehead on Twitter @thebenwhitehead)

Clemson Tigers Offense
Total Offense Rank: 12th
Total Yards Per Game: 503.1
Yards Per Play: 6.28
Rushing Offense Rank: 62nd
Rushing Yards Per Game: 175.4
Passing Offense Rank: 7th
Passing Yards Per Game: 327.8
Scoring Offense Rank: 13th
Points Per Game: 39.5

Alabama Crimson Tide Defense
Total Defense Rank: 1st
Total Yards Per Game: 244.0
Yards Per Play: 3.86
Rushing Defense Rank: 1st
Rushing Yards Per Game: 62.0
Passing Defense Rank: 14th
Passing Yards Per Game: 182.0
Scoring Defense Rank: 1st
Points Per Game: 11.4

For Clemson, it starts and ends with Deshaun Watson. The Heisman runner-up is 31-3 in his career as a starter. He's finished in the top three of the Heisman Trophy voting twice. He's led his team to the CFB Playoff and National Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. Simply put, Watson is the greatest player to ever wear the Tiger Paw.

Deshaun Watson has left plenty of defenders behind
as he's danced into the end zone.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

And Clemson fans need to come to grips with the fact that Monday may be the last time he ever puts on that helmet.

But Watson is nothing without his weapons. Mike Williams will likely be the first wide receiver off the board at the NFL Draft. Williams has been spectacular in his comeback season. He has 90 receptions for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead an impressive receiving corps. That group includes Clemson's all-time receptions leader Artavis Scott, former walk-on turned stud Hunter Renfrow, and deep-ball threat Deon Cain. When Watson has time, he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal.

It doesn't end there, either. Tight end Jordan Leggett is the most decorated at his position in Tiger history. Leggett creates mismatches for linebackers and has been front and center during the Tigers' biggest games.

Part of the reason Leggett is so effective is the run game with Wayne Gallman. The do-it-all tailback is a bruising runner and forces defenses to key on him. He draws attention of the linebackers just enough to allow Leggett to sneak behind them. Gallman, along with Watson and the Clemson offensive line, will be imperative to keep the Tide at bay.

The athleticism of the Crimson Tide defense, including
Jonathan Allen, is what separates Alabama from the rest.
(Photo courtesy USA Today Sports)

But this group is a Crimson wall. From Jonathan Allen up front to Reuben Foster and Tim Williams at the next level and Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey in the secondary, there is no weakness to be found. And every single position has a backup that would start at 90 percent of FBS schools.

Somehow, some way, Nick Saban pieced together arguably the greatest defense of all-time after several departures to the NFL a season ago.

Alabama has scored 11 defensive touchdowns, nearly averaging one per game. They've come in all shapes, sizes and forms, from interceptions at every level of the field to fumbles returned. Ohio State ranks second behind Bama with seven defensive scores, but the Buckeyes couldn't muster one against Clemson. Will the Tide be able to change momentum with a big play?

The Tigers have taken a step back in rushing yards, but big steps forward in the passing game. If there is any area Clemson can take advantage of the Tide, it'd be through the air. It won't be easy and the big men up front will have to bring their "A" game to give Watson time.

Advantage: Alabama

-BtW

National Championship Preview: Clemson D vs. Alabama O

Here we go again.

For the first time in college football history there will be a rematch in the National Championship Game. No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson have earned their way back onto the big stage. Many recall the epic event that unfolded less than a year ago in Glendale, Ariz., and are hoping for a repeat performance. Alabama claimed the crown with a thrilling 45-40 win. It was the Tide's fourth title in the last seven seasons.

Now, these two are set to square off much closer to home. The setting: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. It's a rematch for the ages and BENched is here to break it all down.

We start with a look at the matchup between the Clemson defense and the Alabama offense. Tomorrow, we'll break down the Tigers O against the Crimson Tide D, as well as provide the prediction for the game. What you're going to find is it will be strength on strength all over the field on both sides. There's a reason these two are in the title game for another season. Settle in for the weekend because it all goes down Monday night.

Alabama Crimson Tide Offense
Total Offense Rank: 31st
Total Yards Per Game: 460.9
Yards Per Play: 6.52
Rushing Offense Rank: 11th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 246.7
Passing Offense Rank: 81st
Passing Yards Per Game: 214.2
Scoring Offense Rank: 15th
Points Per Game: 39.4

Clemson Tigers Defense
Total Defense Rank: 8th
Total Yards Per Game: 306.9
Yards Per Play: 4.56
Rushing Defense Rank: 19th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 123.1
Passing Defense Rank: 17th
Passing Yards Per Game: 183.8
Scoring Defense Rank: 7th
Points Per Game: 17.1

Clemson is coming off its most dominant defensive performance of the year. The Tigers blanked the Ohio State Buckeyes in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, 31-0. Ohio State entered the game averaging over 42 points per game and nearly 260 yards on the ground. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables' defense held OSU to 88 rushing yards and the big fat zero on the scoreboard.

Discussion about the Tigers on defense for much of the season has surrounded the defensive line play of Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins and Dexter Lawrence. Add in linebacker Ben Boulware and the front seven is as loaded as any in the country. But the breakout performance by redshirt freshman Clelin Ferrell - three tackles for loss and a sack - earned him defensive MVP honors for the bowl game.

Clelin Ferrell (99) and Carlos Watkins are just two
of several fierce Clemson defensive linemen.
(Photo courtesy SI.com)

The Tigers have depth as evidenced by the lockdown performance against one of the nation's top offenses. Jadar Johnson and Cordrea Tankersley anchor a secondary that has allowed the big boys up front time to get to the quarterback.

This time, that quarterback is freshman Jalen Hurts. He's not the most prolific passer in the country. His stats are similar to JT Barrett, whom the Tigers just faced. Hurts completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,649 yards and a 22-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Bama's run game is where the Tide wear down opponents. Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough form a two-headed monster in the backfield. Harris has received the bulk of the carries between the two. He's 17 yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Scarbrough has just 539 yards, but has 90 yards or more in the last three games, including an Alabama bowl game record 180 in the Peach Bowl. There's a third back, Josh Jacobs, who actually has a dozen yards more than Scarbrough on the season. Scarbrough is built like a Bama running back and does the heavy lifting late in the game when the Tide have worn down their opponent.

Jalen Hurts has left defenders lying on the ground
for much of the season, leading Alabama with 12 TDs.
(Photo courtesy Orlando Sentinel)

But the Tide roll best when Hurts uses his legs. The quarterback run game has amplified Alabama's attack this season. Hurts is second on the team with 841 yards and leads the offense with 12 rushing scores.

Just when you think you've figured him out, Hurts goes back to the air to receivers Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart and tight end OJ Howard. Howard was the hero of last season's title game with over 200 yards and two touchdowns. Another player to watch is Greg Dieter, who is third on the team with four TD receptions.

Hurts, though, wasn't overwhelmingly spectacular against the best he's faced this season. In nine games against some of the Tide's top competition, Hurts averaged just over 160 yards through the air with just 10 touchdowns. He accounted for 10 of his 12 rushing scores in those games, as well. You can bet to see Hurts will be used heavily against Clemson, allowing for an extra blocker against the relentless Tiger defense.

Of course, there's the Steve Sarkisian factor for the Tide. Sarkisian takes over as offensive coordinator just a week before the game after Alabama and former OC Lane Kiffin parted ways. How will his play-calling and rhythm affect Alabama on the biggest stage? That remains to be seen.

Where Clemson may have a clear advantage over this unit is tackles for loss. The Tigers are second in the nation with 123 tackles for loss, averaging 8.8 per game. Alabama 122nd in tackles for loss allowed with 101, an average of 7.1 per game. If the Tigers are in the backfield often, it could spell a long night for Hurts and the Tide.

This will be the best defense Alabama has faced all season. The Tigers are hungry to shut down another top-tier opponent. The team who can win in the trenches will have the upper hand.

Advantage: Clemson

-BtW

The Evening After... One Step Closer

Someone must have gone into the settings and changed the difficulty level to "easy." Second-ranked Clemson drilled third-ranked Ohio State 31-0 in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Saturday night to clinch a second straight trip to the National Championship Game.

The Tigers out-coached and out-played the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff semifinal. There was a clear discrepancy in talent and scheme all over the field. That won't be the case next week, as Clemson advances to face No. 1 Alabama in the title game in Tampa. Here are a few of my final thoughts on the win.

1) Early in the week, I had a feeling. It just crept up on me. That feeling was that Clemson was going to roll. I texted my good friend TJ Saturday afternoon to inform him of this because I had to tell someone. I didn't want to jinx it or look like a homer in my prediction post. I felt like Clemson was coming into the game hot. Ohio State struggled all year against top-tier teams (Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State). Clemson's defense was equivalent, statistically, to Wisconsin and Michigan, who held the Buckeyes to 23 and 17 points in regulation, respectively, and neither allowed an offensive touchdown until late in the third quarter. The Tigers offense was by far the most explosive Ohio State had played, but I noted that both teams would end up making plays, thus it would be a draw picking the better unit.

I didn't see a shutout coming, but I told him my thought was 41-13 - a 28-point win. Final difference: 31 points.

2) In my blogs, I noted that Deshaun Watson was the best player on the field. You didn't need to read that to know it, if you've watched any Clemson game the last three years. But it's worth noting every time the Tigers step on the field. Clemson has an advantage simply because of No. 4. He's 31-3 as a starter. One loss came at Georgia Tech when he left the game with a knee injury in the first quarter and did not return. Clemson was leading at the time he exited. Another was to Alabama in the championship game last year when he put up 478 yards and 40 points against the Tide. The third was to Pittsburgh this year, another game Watson was outstanding with 580 passing yards and leading the offense to 42 points. You can't count out Clemson with him under center.

3) Clelin Ferrell was never once mentioned in any pregame banter about the teams. When experts broke down Clemson's defensive front, names like Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins and Dexter Lawrence were uttered over and over again. But Ferrell, a redshirt freshman, was a force to be reckoned with. He recorded three tackles for loss, a sack, and earned Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP honors.

The Tigers blanked the Buckeyes and now face Alabama once again.
(Photo courtesy Clemson Athletics)

As a group, the Tigers had 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, forced three turnovers and shut down Ohio State's vaunted rushing game. The Buckeyes went into the bowl game averaging 258 rushing yards and over 42 points per game. Ohio State finished with 88 rushing yards (215 total) and zero points.

4) The biggest defensive stat, in my opinion, was third down defense. Clemson was one of the best in the nation in that category and proved it again Saturday. Ohio State was 3-for-14 on third downs.

5) Wayne Gallman pounded out 85 yards on 18 carries with a score to lead a Tiger rushing attack that gained over 200 yards. Watson had 57 yards and two rushing TDs. Ohio State was 13th in the country allowing just 117 yards on the ground per game.

6) The play of the game to me was CJ Fuller's 30-yard touchdown catch on the wheel route. Fuller caught a similar touchdown in the Tigers' win over South Carolina. It looked like he had a step on the defender and Watson's pass was slightly under-thrown. That allowed the defender to catch up. No pass interference was called, but it was clear the Buckeye grabbed onto Fuller, knocking his arm down prior to the catch. His concentration and physical ability to keep his arm up, catch the ball and hang on while diving into the end zone was a thing of beauty.

7) Clemson football and its fanbase has been the brunt of the longest running joke in college football. You know the word. It doesn't need repeating. So, we're sorry if we're not sorry for basking in this moment, the moment of shutting out Ohio State on the second biggest stage in the game. The moment of giving Urban Meyer his worst loss and first shutout of his career. The moment of shutting up all the haters who still look at us as "little, ole Clemson," as Dabo likes to say. The moment of out-classing another college football blueblood. The moment you realized "Clemson is coming" wasn't just a catch-phrase. Clemson is "here."

8) I am always proud to be a Clemson Tiger, but these last two years have made walking around with a paw on my chest and that "C" on my ring all the better. Clemson fans, we are in rare air right now. Our Tigers are playing for the national championship for the second straight season, something that's never happened for the orange and white. This program has won 10 or more games six consecutive years, has defeated the likes of Auburn, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Georgia and LSU, has taken back to Clemson an Orange Bowl trophy and a Fiesta Bowl trophy in back-to-back years, has seen a two-time Heisman finalist after never having anyone head to New York. Dabo Swinney has earned the right to be considered one of the top coaches in America right now and it's time people take notice.

9) Oh, they'll take notice on Monday, January 9. The entire 2016 season comes down to one game. A rematch for the ages. Perennial powerhouse, bad to the bone Bama against a band of brothers with one goal left to accomplish. ESPN did a nice piece on teams/fans across the country and their "We want Bama" signs. Folks, there's only one team that "wants" Bama. And there's only one team that can take down the mighty Tide. That team gets its chance to make college football history in Tampa.

10) Beat Alabama.

-BtW