Clemson was quickly hurrying Baker Mayfield, sacking him five times in 46 attempts. Phase II involved the Crimson Tide’s opening drive of the second half (up 10-0), a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown possession which culminated with Ridley’s acrobatic scoring catch in the end zone – a miraculous reception that was initially refuted by the officials.
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Watson was a junior at Gainesville (Georgia) High in 2012, a third-year starter and already arguably the best player to ever come through the program.
Sometimes when you have an advantage up front, in the trenches, it’s the only advantage that matters.
Alabama’s Cotton Bowl devastation ended up at 38-0, a galling point differential that might have never occurred without Ridley’s heroic efforts … and Kiffin’s penchant for pushing the vertical envelope, when necessary.
Clemson’s line play has been spectacular. The defensive line was deep and devastating, led by not only Lawson but also tackle Carlos Watkins, end Kevin Dodd and a deep supporting cast (plus good linebackers). He’s heard from many of them recently, including Jeff Bryant, an All-American defensive tackle who attended the Orange Bowl last week.
Shoe Station managers and employees will be on standby Monday, listening to the game.
Lawson, meet tackle Cam Robinson.
Yet said Kiffin of Alabama, “Make no mistake, this is still a defensive team”. “Based on Alabama’s performance against MSU, and that I just think the line should be -7”. His head coach emphatically touted Watson as the best player in the country in his postgame news conference.
Alabama coach Nick Saban said defensive back Tony Brown remains suspended after he was sent home the Cotton Bowl for a violation of team rules.
Alabama enters the contest against the Tigers with the Heisman Trophy victor and a bevy of play-makers on offense including quarterback Jake Coker. And before garbage time, Bama’s rushing success rate was a paltry 26 percent. North Carolina and Florida State each lost by double digits in their respective bowl matchups, and ACC teams not named Clemson finished with an unimpressive 3-5 mark in the postseason.
Of course, everybody struggles to score against Alabama.
With Henry and Coker in the backfield and an experienced line blocking for them Swinney understands that the Tigers will have their work cut out for them. Keep talking and we will post so that “the defense that hasn’t been tested” will be prepared.
That’s been the reaction of many of Alabama’s opponents this season, most of whom have been run over by the Crimson Tide’s burly running back. They erase your run game, and they force your quarterback to make throws most college QBs can’t make (and under severe duress, no less, because they also rank first in Havoc Rate and second in Adj. Sack Rate).
Watson has passed for 31 touchdowns and rushed for 12. “Makes a lot of smart decisions”, says Lawson, whose Tigers are vying to become the first 15-0 national champion in Division I/FBS history.
Watson’s arm isn’t as strong as Kelly’s, but thanks to his accuracy, his short game and his legs, he’s been the best quarterback in college football.
This is good because he’s probably going to face a lot of passing downs.
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The notion Alabama doesn’t get enough respect is absurd. “The foundation is the education; the extra is that I get to experience, at my alma mater, my sons playing a game that I love and they’re having the opportunity to do the same thing”. Year in and year out, the Tide are among the best defenses in the country.
