Clemson vs Alabama: Comparing offenses

Quarterback

This is a match-up of the present and future in College Football. Deshaun Watson is the definition of dual-threat quarterback, while Jalen Hurts is more of a Tim Tebow mold with his brute strength and running ability.

Alabama

Jalen Hurts may be a true freshman, but, he certainly doesn’t play like such. Nick Saban would not start a true freshman at quarterback unless he had complete trust in him. For Hurts to earn Saban’s trust is impressive in itself. More impressive is the fact that Hurts has thrown for 2,649 yards and 22 touchdowns, while running for 891 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Should Jalen Hurts run for over 100 yards against Clemson, it is going to be difficult for the Tigers to beat Alabama. Clemson cannot let Jalen Hurts get out on the edge and run for chunk yardage. If the Tigers can force Hurts to beat them with his arm I like their chances. Jalen Hurts has yet to effectively throw the ball from the pocket in his young career.

LSU and Washington both highlighted Hurts’ shortcomings as a passer by containing him in the pocket and not letting him gash them with his legs.

Clemson

Deshaun Watson has been one of the most dominant players in College Football over the past three seasons. Since he stepped foot on Clemson’s campus, Deshaun has elevated the Tigers to elite status as a program. In his three years at Clemson the Tigers have never won less than 10 games in a season and have been to back-to-back National Championships.

Watson is the best dual threat quarterback in the country. Whether it be through the air or on the ground, Deshaun Watson can seriously hurt opposing defenses. Alabama is fully aware of the damage that Watson can do. In last season’s National Championship Deshaun threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 73 yards as well.

I get that Alabama is great defensively, but, Watson is too balanced to completely shut down. If the Tide take away his ability to run the football, Watson can beat them from the pocket and if Alabama gives him space to run the football Deshaun will make them pay.

Edge- Clemson

Deshaun Watson is the best quarterback in the country as evident in his masterful performance against Ohio State’s defense. It is important to note that Ohio State had not given up 30 points to any opponent all season long coming into the Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes had also allowed just one quarterback to complete at least 60 percent of his passes. Watson completed 64.9 percent of his passes and put up 31 points on the Buckeyes.

Alabama has given up at least 30 points twice this season to the likes of Ole Miss and Arkansas. Since taking over at Alabama in 2007, Saban is 7-8 in games where the opposing team scores at least 30 points. As long as Clemson doesn’t have a complete meltdown on defense, I like Clemson’s chances in this one.