Clemson Football: 5 stats that will determine the outcome of the National Championship

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs for a 62 yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs for a 62 yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after a 62 yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after a 62 yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

5. Rushing yardage

It’s not necessarily that the team with more rushing yards is going to win the game.

It’s more about timely rushes and being able to keep the defense honest.

Clemson won’t lose the game because it can’t rush the ball and neither will Alabama, but the rushing attack and success in that area of the game will help wear the opposing defense down.

The Tigers need to continue to rush the ball even if they’re not having success early.

Schedule

Schedule