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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TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Austin Spence #52 of the Clemson Tigers recovers a fumbled punt by D.J. Matthews #29 of the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Austin Spence #52 of the Clemson Tigers recovers a fumbled punt by D.J. Matthews #29 of the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Turnovers

Turnovers make or break a team in a big game like this.

Last year, two costly interceptions proved to be the difference in the game. Everyone forgets how close that game was before the Kelly Bryant pick and then the pick-six.

This year, the Tigers have to refrain from turning the ball over. There’s just too much momentum that hangs in the balance in plays like this.

It also wouldn’t hurt Clemson to force a turnover if possible.