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