National Championship Preview: Alabama O vs. Clemson D

We know when Clemson's offense takes the field against Alabama's defense, it will be one of the most intriguing aspects of the 2016 National Championship Game. The matchup has received the bulk of the analyzing by the talking heads thus far, and rightfully so.

Now, we reverse the script and take a look at when the Crimson Tide possess the ball. On paper, this looks like a mismatch. Clemson boasts the sixth best defense in the country compared to Alabama's 51st ranked offense. Is this where the Tigers have the upperhand?

Alabama Crimson Tide Offense
Total Offense Rank: 51st
Total Yards Per Game: 423.8
Yards Per Play: 5.83
Rushing Offense Rank: 29th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 204.4
Passing Offense Rank: 68th
Passing Yards Per Game: 219.4
Scoring Offense Rank: 33rd
Points Per Game: 34.4

Clemson Tigers Defense
Total Defense Rank: 6th
Total Yards Per Game: 301.6
Yards Per Play: 4.71
Rushing Defense Rank: 18th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 124.4
Passing Defense Rank: 9th
Passing Yards Per Game: 177.2
Scoring Defense Rank: 16th
Points Per Game: 20.0

*Stats/Rankings include bowl games

The surprising stat here is Alabama's rushing offense ranks 29th overall despite having the Heisman Trophy winner in the backfield in Derrick Henry. Through 14 games, Henry has rushed for over 2,000 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Impressively, Henry has 25 touchdown runs, averaged 25 carries a game and was held under 100 yards just four times, three of which came against either non-Power 5 or non-FBS foes.

To say Henry might be all Alabama has wouldn't be far from the truth. Jake Coker had his coming out party in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns while connecting on 25 of his 30 throws. But while Coker has been very consistent all year and been labeled a game-manager, as many past Tide QBs have, the Alabama offense revolves around Henry.

Following the Tide's loss to Ole Miss, six of the next seven games saw Coker's Adjusted QBR range from 20.1 to 76.8 Compare that to Clemson signal-caller Deshaun Watson, who's QBR never dipped below 74.1 and was under 80 just four games.

What Coker found over the latter part of the season was a weapon at the receiver position. Freshman wideout Calvin Ridley developed into Coker's go-to guy. Ridley leads the team in receptions (83), yards (1,031) and touchdowns (7).

Calvin Ridley could be the key to Alabama taking down Clemson.
(Photo courtesy Reuters)

How does Clemson combat the Heisman winner, a consistent quarterback and elite talent at the skill position?

With a defense that mirrors that of Alabama. We've heard about the depth up front for the Tide. Did you know Clemson has depth too? You didn't?

Neither did anyone who saw Shaq Lawson leave the game after the third drive with a knee injury and watched some freshman trot on the field at the Orange Bowl. That's OK. Austin Bryant filled in nicely for the All-American Lawson and Bryant's not the only guy who has stepped up when his number was called. While Clemson's depth lacks experience, it doesn't lack talent.

What the Tigers have on defense is a group playing every down with a chip on its collective shoulder. After losing eight starters from the nation's best defense a season ago, Brent Venables' crew went to work. All they did was lead the country in tackles for loss and rank second third down defense percentage.

The Tide get all the buzz, but the Tigers have some big boys up front on defense, too.
(Photo courtesy USA Today Sports)

When Clemson lines up with Alabama across the field, the Tide may for a split second think they're facing their own defense. Run the ball with Henry? Meet Lawson, Christian Wilkins, Carlos Watkins and Kevin Dodd. Drop back to pass? Hope Ben Boulware or BJ Goodson don't take your head off. Send receivers down field in one-on-one coverage? The secondary is littered with NFL talent from Mackensie Alexander to Jayron Kearse.

Yes, the Tigers have a decided edge when their defense is on the field. The key will be getting off the field on third downs and limiting Alabama's chances in the red zone. I expect Coker to hit some passes and be somewhere around 175-185 yards. I expect Henry will get his yards as well, roughly 125.

If Bama forces its way inside the 20 often, Henry will be fed the rock and will pound away at the Tiger D. Too many red zone trips will result in too many trips to the end zone.

But the Tigers are up to the task. After slowing down a red hot Oklahoma offense, why wouldn't Clemson be able to slow down Alabama?

Advantage: Clemson


-BtW