Writer Erik Slaby
New Orleans, LA - Star Wars. Ali versus Frazier. The Cavaliers versus the Warriors. What do all of these great events have in common? The number three. This matchup in the 2018 Allstate Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Clemson is the third time in the last three years that these two teams have played each other. This Alabama versus Clemson matchup has the potential to join these other notable events. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke a bit about the rivalry brewing between these two teams from these high-profile games they have competed against each other in.
“We haven't competed against each other a lot,” said Swinney. “But all of a sudden you've got this three-game series that has just happened at the highest level. And this is kind of a rubber match. But, to be honest with you, this is probably not going to be the last one. There will probably be more of these down the road, and I think that's great. I think it's a fun game. Again, this is big-boy football. You have got a lot of incredibly talented football players that are going to be on the field, and they all want the same thing. I don't have any doubt it will be a great game.”
Both of these teams have very similar strengths. Especially on defense. Alabama is ranked 1st in total defense while Clemson is ranked 5th. Alabama is 1st in scoring defense and Clemson is 2nd. Alabama is 6th is passing yards allowed by the defense and Clemson is ranked 7th. These are all very comparable numbers and it shows how similar these teams are defensively.
Where they differ a bit defensively is in red zone defense and total sacks on the season. Alabama is ranked 18th overall in red zone defense while Clemson is tied for 34th. Clemson though has 46 sacks on the year, compared to Alabama’s 31. Clemson’s biggest strength this season has been their defensive line. They are very stout upfront, have great depth across the line and are a tough task for any opposing offensive line to block.
Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence spoke about the starters on the defensive line and how important to their success not being selfish has been.
“We definitely set each other up front,” said Lawrence. “We all want to make the plays, but we know we're not going to make every play. So we set each other up to make plays and being disciplined every day. And we know it's bigger than us four. It's the whole defense, the whole team. And being selfish is not going to help us win ballgames.”
Lawrence also spoke about making sure the younger guys on the defensive line are being coached and are learning from the starters. “We work on the whole unit, giving them constructive criticism, not bringing them down, being positive all the time, you know, and encouraging them, giving them little confidence and things like that.”
Where Alabama may have an advantage over Clemson though is with their offense. Under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Alabama’s offensive has improved from last year. Much of that can also be attributed to the growth of quarterback Jalen Hurts from last season. Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley spoke about the growth of Hurts and where he has improved the most.
“The passing game -- I feel like his passing game got better,” said Ridley. “Sometime last year, he would sit back and just take it all. Now he sits back and he reads, he reads, he reads. And if it's not it, then he takes off. So that makes a whole big difference. And sometimes receivers can't get open every time, and he finds some way to make a great play with his feet. So his feet does help us in some type of ways. At the end of the day, he's doing a great job.”
Clemson defensive end Christian Wilkins also spoke briefly about the play of Alabama running back Damien Harris, the Alabama skill players and offensive line.
“Their running backs, just better and better,” said Wilkins. “I see Damien Harris taking off -- I think for two games, he just had a first play, house calls. It was like, ‘oh, man, all right, yeah.’ And just like the skill guys, they got speed and talent on the outside and everything which is impressive and everything like that. And the O-line is talented, strong and moving people so we have to put our big-boy pants on there.”
As the history of these two teams matching up have shown us, this game will probably feature plenty of scoring as both teams are familiar enough with each other. This will be a physical game and the tone of this game will be set in the first quarter. Alabama must show that Hurts can make plays with his arm, rather than his legs and attack a vulnerable Clemson secondary. Alabama’s offensive line will need to protect Hurts and open up lanes for their running backs against a formidable Clemson defensive line. If Alabama accomplishes all of this, they will likely win.
Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant and the offense must show early on that they can attack Alabama with deep completions downfield. If they are able to do that, this will free up space for the running backs and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. If Clemson is able to do this, their chances of winning increase dramatically. If they cannot, the threat of Alabama will be looming over them, casting an ominous feeling like Darth Vader and Imperial Empire over the galaxy.
The 2018 Allstate Sugar Bowl takes place on January 1st, 2018 at 8:45 EST at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
“We haven't competed against each other a lot,” said Swinney. “But all of a sudden you've got this three-game series that has just happened at the highest level. And this is kind of a rubber match. But, to be honest with you, this is probably not going to be the last one. There will probably be more of these down the road, and I think that's great. I think it's a fun game. Again, this is big-boy football. You have got a lot of incredibly talented football players that are going to be on the field, and they all want the same thing. I don't have any doubt it will be a great game.”
Both of these teams have very similar strengths. Especially on defense. Alabama is ranked 1st in total defense while Clemson is ranked 5th. Alabama is 1st in scoring defense and Clemson is 2nd. Alabama is 6th is passing yards allowed by the defense and Clemson is ranked 7th. These are all very comparable numbers and it shows how similar these teams are defensively.
Where they differ a bit defensively is in red zone defense and total sacks on the season. Alabama is ranked 18th overall in red zone defense while Clemson is tied for 34th. Clemson though has 46 sacks on the year, compared to Alabama’s 31. Clemson’s biggest strength this season has been their defensive line. They are very stout upfront, have great depth across the line and are a tough task for any opposing offensive line to block.
Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence spoke about the starters on the defensive line and how important to their success not being selfish has been.
“We definitely set each other up front,” said Lawrence. “We all want to make the plays, but we know we're not going to make every play. So we set each other up to make plays and being disciplined every day. And we know it's bigger than us four. It's the whole defense, the whole team. And being selfish is not going to help us win ballgames.”
Lawrence also spoke about making sure the younger guys on the defensive line are being coached and are learning from the starters. “We work on the whole unit, giving them constructive criticism, not bringing them down, being positive all the time, you know, and encouraging them, giving them little confidence and things like that.”
Where Alabama may have an advantage over Clemson though is with their offense. Under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Alabama’s offensive has improved from last year. Much of that can also be attributed to the growth of quarterback Jalen Hurts from last season. Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley spoke about the growth of Hurts and where he has improved the most.
“The passing game -- I feel like his passing game got better,” said Ridley. “Sometime last year, he would sit back and just take it all. Now he sits back and he reads, he reads, he reads. And if it's not it, then he takes off. So that makes a whole big difference. And sometimes receivers can't get open every time, and he finds some way to make a great play with his feet. So his feet does help us in some type of ways. At the end of the day, he's doing a great job.”
Clemson defensive end Christian Wilkins also spoke briefly about the play of Alabama running back Damien Harris, the Alabama skill players and offensive line.
“Their running backs, just better and better,” said Wilkins. “I see Damien Harris taking off -- I think for two games, he just had a first play, house calls. It was like, ‘oh, man, all right, yeah.’ And just like the skill guys, they got speed and talent on the outside and everything which is impressive and everything like that. And the O-line is talented, strong and moving people so we have to put our big-boy pants on there.”
As the history of these two teams matching up have shown us, this game will probably feature plenty of scoring as both teams are familiar enough with each other. This will be a physical game and the tone of this game will be set in the first quarter. Alabama must show that Hurts can make plays with his arm, rather than his legs and attack a vulnerable Clemson secondary. Alabama’s offensive line will need to protect Hurts and open up lanes for their running backs against a formidable Clemson defensive line. If Alabama accomplishes all of this, they will likely win.
Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant and the offense must show early on that they can attack Alabama with deep completions downfield. If they are able to do that, this will free up space for the running backs and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. If Clemson is able to do this, their chances of winning increase dramatically. If they cannot, the threat of Alabama will be looming over them, casting an ominous feeling like Darth Vader and Imperial Empire over the galaxy.
The 2018 Allstate Sugar Bowl takes place on January 1st, 2018 at 8:45 EST at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.