National Championship Preview - Clemson O vs. Alabama D

Five days from now, the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in all the land square off in the 2016 National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The undefeated Clemson Tigers (14-0) are a touchdown underdog against college football's poster program, the Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1).

Both teams have been ranked in the College Football Playoff Committee Top 4 since the initial ranking. Clemson was No. 1 in every ranking, while Alabama debuted at No. 4 then jumped to No. 2 in the second ranking and held onto that spot the rest of the season.

Coming off dominating wins over Oklahoma and Michigan State, the Tigers and Tide should provide us with one of the best championship matchups in recent memory. I'll start my breakdown by looking at Clemson's high-powered offense against Alabama's vaunted defense.

Clemson Tigers Offense
Total Offense Rank: 11th
Total Yards Per Game: 512.0
Yards Per Play: 6.39
Rushing Offense Rank: 16th
Rushing Yards Per Game: 228.6
Passing Offense Rank: 26th
Passing Yards Per Game: 283.4
Scoring Offense Rank: 16th
Points Per Game: 38.4

Alabama Crimson Tide Defense
Total Defense Rank: 2nd
Total Yards Per Game: 256.8
Yards Per Play: 4.09
Rushing Defense Rank: 1st
Rushing Yards Per Game: 70.8
Passing Defense Rank: 18th
Passing Yards Per Game: 186.0
Scoring Defense Rank: 1st
Points Per Game: 13.4

*Stats/Rankings include bowl games

As you can see, it's strength on strength. Clemson fans know the offense revolves around Deshaun Watson and Wayne Gallman. The Tigers racked up 312 yards on the ground in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. Watson and Gallman attained 295 of that, along with three rushing touchdowns. The starting quarterback was slow out of the gate throwing the ball, starting just 2-for-8 and finishing with 187 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.

Backfield duo Deshaun Watson (4) and Wayne Gallman face their stiffest test
in the form of the Alabama defense.
(Photo courtesy USA Today Sports)

But the damage was done on the ground. Behind one of the most underrated offensive lines in college football, the Tigers pounded and pounded against the Sooner front, eventually wearing down OU.

Enter Alabama and arguably the most ferocious front seven in the game. In 2014, Clemson ranked first in total defense, holding opponents to about 260 yards per game. That defense was fierce and clamped down on any and every opponent.

The Tide are that much better. Leonard Fournette was the overwhelming favorite to win the Heisman. Then, he met Alabama's defense and rushed for 31 yards ... total. In the Cotton Bowl, Michigan State was held to 29 rushing yards for the game.

Just when opponents think, "Hey, we might not be able to run it, but we can try to pass," the Tide swarm the quarterback and cause havoc in the backfield. What makes this unit unique is its depth. Alabama rolls out three-deep on the defensive line and most of those No. 2s and 3s could be starters elsewhere.

Speed kills and while Clemson has speed at the skill position, Alabama can match it. Lineman Jonathan Allen (12 sacks), linebacker/defensive end Tim Williams (10.5 sacks) and defensive back Cyrus Jones are just a few names the Tigers need to know. Trust me, though, the list continues on and on.

Alabama's defense hopes to stymie Clemson's high-powered offense.
(Photo courtesy Associated Press)

All week long, Alabama players and coaches are hearing about how the spread, uptempo offense was built to beat defenses like the Tide's. They've struggled in the past against true dual-threat quarterbacks. Ole Miss exposed them this year. The Tide are hearing it all. Just more motivation for a team hungry to prove to the world they are the best.

The way co-offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott can gain an advantage is to give Alabama a wrinkle it hasn't seen. Yes, Clemson will be Clemson and the running game will be a big part of the plan. But the Tigers would be keen to stretch the field and force the Crimson Tide to remove a player or two from the box. That means three- and four-wide receiver sets, along with tight end Jordan Leggett and Gallman running pass routes. Artavis Scott and Charone Peake will be keyed on by the Bama secondary, so the likes of Hunter Renfrow, Ray-Ray McCloud and Germone Hopper need to find openings downfield.

Easier said than done.

Clemson, though, already has an advantage. It has Watson, who remains as cool as the other side of the pillow when under pressure. Watson doesn't flinch. The sophomore has been on big stages before and thrived.

Advantage: Slight to Alabama - but not by much. Make no mistake, Watson is the best quarterback in the country and will have an effect on this game.

-BtW