Pretty sure we won't try running right at their defense like Sparty did. I like our secondary better than Sparty's, so maybe we can keep Henry in check without getting torched through the air.
Going to be tough. By far the best defensive front seven we have faced this year. I believe Leggett is going to have to be a big part of the attack because of the mismatch factor. I think we are going to see more tempo attack in this game in an attempt to tire their defense out.
Defensively we need to rotate the DL as much as possible. One of the way Alabama beats people is using the rushing attack to beat them into submission in the 4th quarter. Honestly I would play any DL that isn't redshirting or injured early to keep Reeder, Watkins, Wilkins and Pagano as fresh as possible. Luckily Alabama's style on offense plays to Boulware and Goodson's strengths, so that helps a lot. Wish we were a little deeper at LB but there isn't much we can do about that right now.
We are going to have our hands full but they are going to have their hands full as well. They aren't invincible, Ole Miss showed that, but we are going to have to play as smart if not smarter than Oklahoma.
Definitely think tempo is they for Watson. You can tell when he gets in a rhythm.
I give the mental edge to Clemson. They play so well with a chip on their shoulder. They eat it up like no other team I've seen.
If we can keep Henry under 120, I like our chances because I don't think Coker can burn us like he did Sparty. Mac and Kearse can hold their own.
The ole miss game was bizarre. They had 5 turnovers in that game. It would be nice to get them in a generous mood. It did show how to beat their defense.
(This post was last modified: 01-04-2016 10:57 PM by ren.hoek.)
Before he got injured Perine gashed your middle. He was quicker and stronger than your middle linebackers. In the Ole Miss game Alabama's D Line did squelch the run, but couldn't get to the Ole Miss QB who is mobile. Ole Miss rolled out only when the pocket started breaking down and then they threw at Alabama's weakness, their corners. Alabama's safeties are stellar. It'll be tough to throw deep. But the wheel route and out routes make them vulnerable. Should Watson get outside the DE he will be able to ramble for 7 to 10 yards.
I thought you knew but Alabama runs tempo as well, but with the run and with Henry. That's how they wore out L.S.U. and of course their D Line stuffed Fournette.
I think it will be a classic. Emotion and belief against a very businesslike approach, intermediate passing schemes against ground & pound. When Alabama passes it will be to the TE over the middle where your linebacking is not your strength and over the top at the safeties to keep them from creeping up on run support. I do think they will use tempo as well.
Turnovers will be key. Watson can't toss any, and Alabama can't cough it up. I think it is less than 10 points either way. I only give them a slight edge and that due solely to the only place where they are truly better than you, the D Line.
And remember this, Clemson would fit in quite well in the SEC. Alabama didn't really murder anyone in the SEC. Your guys aren't going to be intimidated and this Clemson team would easily have contended for a championship in the SEC this year. It's the best Clemson team I've seen in my lifetime.
(This post was last modified: 01-04-2016 11:30 PM by JRsec.)
I like Clemson's chances a ton. With the Tigers offense they can attack Alabama ways that Mich State couldn't. I think the big key is jumping on Alabama early and force them to abandon the running game.
(01-04-2016 11:25 PM)JRsec Wrote: Before he got injured Perine gashed your middle. He was quicker and stronger than your middle linebackers. In the Ole Miss game Alabama's D Line did squelch the run, but couldn't get to the Ole Miss QB who is mobile. Ole Miss rolled out only when the pocket started breaking down and then they threw at Alabama's weakness, their corners. Alabama's safeties are stellar. It'll be tough to throw deep. But the wheel route and out routes make them vulnerable. Should Watson get outside the DE he will be able to ramble for 7 to 10 yards.
I thought you knew but Alabama runs tempo as well, but with the run and with Henry. That's how they wore out L.S.U. and of course their D Line stuffed Fournette.
I think it will be a classic. Emotion and belief against a very businesslike approach, intermediate passing schemes against ground & pound. When Alabama passes it will be to the TE over the middle where your linebacking is not your strength and over the top at the safeties to keep them from creeping up on run support. I do think they will use tempo as well.
Turnovers will be key. Watson can't toss any, and Alabama can't cough it up. I think it is less than 10 points either way. I only give them a slight edge and that due solely to the only place where they are truly better than you, the D Line.
And remember this, Clemson would fit in quite well in the SEC. Alabama didn't really murder anyone in the SEC. Your guys aren't going to be intimidated and this Clemson team would easily have contended for a championship in the SEC this year. It's the best Clemson team I've seen in my lifetime.
I've been wondering how good Clemson really was all season, but the orange bowl convinced me that they are one of the two best teams in the country (Bama being the other). Sparty matched up horribly with Bama. It's probably fair to say that Clemson's offense has a better chance against Bama's defense. Bama is better at DL than everyone. That is recruiting and coaching. If they can spread them out and give Gallman some running room, things will get interesting. The defense plays well with a chip on their shoulder. Swinney is surely playing sound clips of the pundits non-stop. The funny thing is that Sparty held Henry to 75 yards, but couldn't stop the passing attack. Hopefully we'll have more success. Turnovers will be critical. You can't give it away against a team like Bama and they have to take advantage of every mistake Bama might make. Their line loss was primarily due to 5 turnovers. They still put up 37 in that game.
These are clearly the 2 best teams this year. The key to me will be how well Watson handles Bama front 7. Can he keep his poise? Bama has struggled with mobile QB's, it maybe better to focus on stopping Watson than Gallman. Clemson D will fair well against Bamas O.
(01-05-2016 11:31 AM)Lenvillecards Wrote: These are clearly the 2 best teams this year. The key to me will be how well Watson handles Bama front 7. Can he keep his poise? Bama has struggled with mobile QB's, it maybe better to focus on stopping Watson than Gallman. Clemson D will fair well against Bamas O.
exactly!
Watson has to get Clemson 1st downs, and make plays....he is the X factor
Alabama hasn't faced many refined passing attacks, so Clemson can get yards through the air
Key Alabama Stat: Alabama always runs twice as many plays as their opponents when they dominate. Clemson has to change that stat. They CANNOT go 3 & out a lot, or else they're doomed
(01-04-2016 11:25 PM)JRsec Wrote: Before he got injured Perine gashed your middle. He was quicker and stronger than your middle linebackers.
He had two decent runs in the first drive but was pretty much contained after that. After that his longest run was 6 yards, and that was the second time he was injured and left the field. Hard to see how you can say that someone who rushed for 58 yards and averaged 3.9 ypc "gashed" anything.
(01-05-2016 12:45 AM)ClairtonPanther Wrote: I like Clemson's chances a ton. With the Tigers offense they can attack Alabama ways that Mich State couldn't. I think the big key is jumping on Alabama early and force them to abandon the running game.
That has to be the plan if Clemson is to succeed. Score every possession with 10-12 play drives. If it looks like Bama can move the the ball then just let them get into the red zone and hold them to FG. A 6-17 lead might be enough to force Lane Kiffin to abandon the run.
(01-05-2016 12:45 AM)ClairtonPanther Wrote: I like Clemson's chances a ton. With the Tigers offense they can attack Alabama ways that Mich State couldn't. I think the big key is jumping on Alabama early and force them to abandon the running game.
That has to be the plan if Clemson is to succeed. Score every possession with 10-12 play drives. If it looks like Bama can move the the ball then just let them get into the red zone and hold them to FG. A 6-17 lead might be enough to force Lane Kiffin to abandon the run.
You don't score on Alabama with 12 play drives. Every team that has beaten them in the last few years have done it with explosive plays. 30+ yard chunks
