These storylines will dominate the college football title game
College football’s first national championship game rematch is set, and it has the potential to be an all-time classic, loaded with future pros, elite playmakers on both sides of the ball, and arguably the two best players in the sport in Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
Alabama and Clemson finished first and second, respectively, last year, were No. 1 and No. 2 in the preseason polls, and were the top two seeds in the College Football Playoff.
Here is a look at a few storylines that are sure to dominate the next week of hype before the teams meet at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 9.
Deshaun Watson against Alabama
The Heisman Trophy runner-up made one of Nick Saban’s best defenses look mortal last January, putting up 478 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, and he has even more weapons to work with now. Wide receivers Mike Williams (injury) and Deon Cain (suspension) didn’t play in last year’s title game. And while Watson’s numbers were down this year — more interceptions, significantly fewer rushing yards — he has looked like the same dynamic players of late, particularly in the Fiesta Bowl rout of Ohio State, when he effortlessly put up 316 yards and three touchdowns.
Don’t think Saban won’t remind his players what Watson did to them, and Saban has plenty of star power to rely upon, in potential No. 1 pick Allen, do-it-all linebacker Reuben Foster and pass-rushing dynamos Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson. Despite losing six starters, the Crimson Tide’s defense remained the standard in the sport, allowing just 11.4 points per game, and made Washington’s prolific attack look anemic in the Peach Bowl.
Clemson defense
This unit was forgotten in the lead-up to the Fiesta Bowl, overshadowed by Watson and his array of playmaking wide receivers against the Ohio State ball-hawking secondary. But the Tigers’ defense owned the University of Phoenix Stadium field, holding the Buckeyes to 215 total yards, most of which came in garbage time with the game well in hand.
The front seven overwhelmed Ohio State’s offensive line, and harassed quarterback J.T. Barrett all night. The star-studded defensive line is loaded with potential pros, the kind of big and fast linemen Alabama is known to produce.
The Crimson Tide will pose more of a challenge, but this Tigers defense has more depth and difference-makers than it did a year ago. Just consider, Ohio State’s offense averaged 42.9 points per game during the regular season, and it had no answers for the Tigers.
Saban versus Swinney
You’ll hear a ton about Saban’s Alabama dynasty, how the Crimson Tide are going after their fifth title in eight years. But Dabo Swinney and Clemson, going for their first crown since 1981, shouldn’t be forgotten. He gets overlooked when the top coaches are discussed, the Sabans and Urban Meyers and Jim Harbaughs of the world. Remember,
Swinney has beaten Meyer in the postseason twice in the last four years. He nearly beat Saban last year. He has transformed Clemson into an annual title contender. Beat Alabama, and they should build a statue for him in Death Valley.
Jalen Hurts
The College Football Playoff stage seemed a bit big for the true freshman. While Alabama won handily, Hurts struggled, throwing for just 57 yards and being held to 2.6 yards per carry. He got away with it, because the Crimson Tide was vastly superior to Washington, but Alabama may not be able to get away with playing around its quarterback again. Clemson just shut down a running quarterback in Barrett, and its 19th-ranked rushing defense could force Alabama to be one-dimensional, putting even more pressure on Hurts.