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Preparation for the #NationalChampionship didn’t start this week… The Dream began a long time ago. #ALLIN https://t.co/OuxSSnIr7T
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) January 11, 2016
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Clemson Tigers National Championship Lines & Info
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, January 11, 2016 Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Line: Clemson +6.5 O/U: 50.51. Score, Score, Score …and score some more!
Not only did Clemson rank 16th in the nation in scoring (38.4 ppg), but the Tigers come into the national championship on a red-hot roll, having scored 33 points or more in each of their last five games while putting up 37 points or more in three straight. Clemson runs and passes the ball equally well and should give the Tide arguably their toughest test all season long.2. Don’t Sleep on the Defense
With gifted quarterback Deshaun Watson being the main man for the Tigers as far as the national media attention goes, Clemson’s stingy defense often goes really unnoticed. The Tigers ranked inside the top 20 in all four major defensive statistical categories by finishing sixth in total defense (302.0 ypg), ninth against the pass (177.2 ypg), 18th against the run (124.8 ypg) and 16th in points allowed (20.0 ppg). Clemson has a pair of elite defensive ends in junior Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd. Lawson had a fantastic season by recording 56 tackles, a team-leading 23.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks. Unfortunately, Lawson is banged-up and reportedly only about 60 percent healthy, though he is reportedly going to try to play tonight. Dodd added 55 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. The Tigers also have a phenomenal secondary that is headed up by All-American sophomore cornerback MacKensie Alexander.3. The Disrespect Factor!
Head coach Dabo Swinney has made a mantra by preaching an, us-against-the-world mentality – and the oddsmakers keep helping the Tigers stay focused on that by making them underdogs in their last two games despite being the only undefeated team in the nation. “He’s always been the underdog,” said former Alabama quarterback Jay Barker of Swinney. “He has had to fight for everything and has never been given anything. That’s what has made him so successful. He loves being the underdog because he’s lived it his entire life.” Prior to their CFP semifinal win over Oklahoma last week, Swinney of his team, “I told them, ‘you ain’t favored to win the damn game, but we ain’t no underdog.” “We are 14-0, and we were underdogs last week, it’s all a brand thing,” Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander said. “Everyone cares about the brand, the Alabama brand. I understand it’s a lot of fans, and they’ve done it for a long time, but this is a new year, and it’s our time.” “They said Oklahoma was the best team, and we just went out there and proved them wrong,” Clemson safety Jayron Kearse said. “So that’s the same thing we have to do with Alabama. They say Alabama’s a seven-point favorite; we have to go out there and prove them wrong.”4. Wayne Gallman is Elite…Even if you Don’t Know it!
The speedy sophomore running back Wayne Gallman is as elite as they come at his position – even if you didn’t know it. Gallman has rushed for 1,482 yards and 13 touchdowns coming into this contest, including a 150-yard, two-touchdown effort against Oklahoma in the CFP semifinals. I know Alabama shuts down their opponents’ rushing attack like nobody’s business, but I’m thinking the elusive Gallman could break one run for a game-changing play. The most encouraging thing about Gallman’s recent play is that, in Clemson’s semifinal win over Michigan State, he appeared to get faster and stronger as the game wore on while the Spartans’ defense simply wilted. If Gallman breaks one against the Tide, it could spell doom for Alabama.
