Well, Tide fans, here we stand once again.
As the University of Alabama embarks on its seemingly annual tilt with the University of Clemson, we're reminded of just how special a program head coach Nick Saban has built.
The Tide is always in the thick of things even in years where pundits, well, more like wishful thinkers, consider it a rebuilding year. But Dan Wolken and Colin Cowherd aside, reloading years are par for the course for this modern-day dynasty.
So for those who believe that Alabama is fielding its least talented team of the Saban era, it's still a team that's as talented as any in college football.
But even the staunchest of supporters have to admit that depth, especially on the lauded defensive side of the ball, has been an issue this season.
Injuries to off-the-ball linebackers like Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans and Mack Wilson, and to edge-players like Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller would be enough to sink just about every other defense in the country.
But today, the Tide ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense.
Considering both teams' strong defenses (Clemson ranks No. 5) and their less-than-stellar offenses (in total offense Bama ranks No. 18 and Clemson No. 29), the outcome of the game may come down to a simple question: Which team can control the line of scrimmage and impose its will on the ground?
The defensive outfit that can render the opposition one-dimensional stands the best chance at coming out on top.
These two teams are similar in strengths and weaknesses, with the most glaring difference being in their rushing games, where Alabama ranks No. 8 and Clemson No. 29.
That's not to say that Clemson ball-carriers Travis Etienne, Tavien Feaster and C.J. Fuller aren't a formidable trio, and it's certainly not understating the value of quarterback Kelly Bryant's legs.
But I wholeheartedly believe that a healthy Alabama front can shut down Clemson's rushing attack much like Miami did to close out the regular season. The Tide has a much better defensive backfield than do the Hurricanes.
Clemson, based out of "Cheetah personnel," loves to bend the edges in the run game, sometimes with receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Amari Rodgers, while operating inside the tackles with more power-based concepts than one might anticipate.
Here's what amounts to a Lead-draw, with Bryant showing off his strength and tenacity to get the first down. It works well because, with the quarterback carrying the ball, they gain an extra blocker.
But it's the use of zone-read that may keep most up at night. Miami had a killer game plan to funnel the majority of the runs to the inside while not allowing Bryant to escape out the back door. Bryant is a really good athlete, but he doesn't have the quickness to make really good edge-players miss in space.
Notice how the Cane's edge-player, the option key, squeezed down the line of scrimmage while the other defenders manned each gap. Keep in mind the weakside 3-technique is two-gapping. Bryant was held to just nine yards on seven carries, with a longest of 11 yards.
Tide early down edge-players Anfernee Jennings and Da'Shawn Hand could easily replicate these techniques, as both are above-average run defenders and can tackle in space.
Here's an example of a Power scheme that looks like an option play, but there's not a defender being optioned. This is a Jet Sweep with a pull from the back-side guard. The kick-out block, while executed poorly, could've sprung a sizeable gain, but the safety did a fantastic job of stringing the play out until a second-level defender could help.
But this is a build or package play where the next step would be for the QB to keep the ball, which only further muddies the waters of eye-discipline and gap control.
Here's another example of aggressive, yet disciplined run defense from the Canes.
And here's another.
I was extremely impressed with the Canes' holding Clemson to 77 yards on 41 attempts for a 1.9 yard average. And that's a shaky Miami run defense that had been gashed quite a few times during the season and just gave up 130 yards (on 26 carries) to Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor in the Orange Bowl.
If Alabama can turn the Tigers into a passing team, its ability to dial up modified-pressure schemes could be the difference-maker.
What may work in Clemson's favor, though, is its ability to stretch the field if the Tide is unable to hit home and get Bryant on the ground. The further the ball goes downfield, the more of a liability to the Tide secondary.
And with the injury to the vastly underrated Hootie Jones, a failure to affect the passer could be a severe problem.
But Clemson's throwing game is not as deadly as it was in previous seasons, so eliminating the run will work in the Tide's favor.
The game within the game is going to be captivating.
Now, about Bama's offense...
As the University of Alabama embarks on its seemingly annual tilt with the University of Clemson, we're reminded of just how special a program head coach Nick Saban has built.
The Tide is always in the thick of things even in years where pundits, well, more like wishful thinkers, consider it a rebuilding year. But Dan Wolken and Colin Cowherd aside, reloading years are par for the course for this modern-day dynasty.
So for those who believe that Alabama is fielding its least talented team of the Saban era, it's still a team that's as talented as any in college football.
But even the staunchest of supporters have to admit that depth, especially on the lauded defensive side of the ball, has been an issue this season.
Injuries to off-the-ball linebackers like Shaun Dion Hamilton, Rashaan Evans and Mack Wilson, and to edge-players like Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller would be enough to sink just about every other defense in the country.
But today, the Tide ranks No. 1 in the nation in total defense.
Considering both teams' strong defenses (Clemson ranks No. 5) and their less-than-stellar offenses (in total offense Bama ranks No. 18 and Clemson No. 29), the outcome of the game may come down to a simple question: Which team can control the line of scrimmage and impose its will on the ground?
The defensive outfit that can render the opposition one-dimensional stands the best chance at coming out on top.
These two teams are similar in strengths and weaknesses, with the most glaring difference being in their rushing games, where Alabama ranks No. 8 and Clemson No. 29.
That's not to say that Clemson ball-carriers Travis Etienne, Tavien Feaster and C.J. Fuller aren't a formidable trio, and it's certainly not understating the value of quarterback Kelly Bryant's legs.
But I wholeheartedly believe that a healthy Alabama front can shut down Clemson's rushing attack much like Miami did to close out the regular season. The Tide has a much better defensive backfield than do the Hurricanes.
Clemson, based out of "Cheetah personnel," loves to bend the edges in the run game, sometimes with receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Amari Rodgers, while operating inside the tackles with more power-based concepts than one might anticipate.
Here's what amounts to a Lead-draw, with Bryant showing off his strength and tenacity to get the first down. It works well because, with the quarterback carrying the ball, they gain an extra blocker.
But it's the use of zone-read that may keep most up at night. Miami had a killer game plan to funnel the majority of the runs to the inside while not allowing Bryant to escape out the back door. Bryant is a really good athlete, but he doesn't have the quickness to make really good edge-players miss in space.
Notice how the Cane's edge-player, the option key, squeezed down the line of scrimmage while the other defenders manned each gap. Keep in mind the weakside 3-technique is two-gapping. Bryant was held to just nine yards on seven carries, with a longest of 11 yards.
Tide early down edge-players Anfernee Jennings and Da'Shawn Hand could easily replicate these techniques, as both are above-average run defenders and can tackle in space.
Here's an example of a Power scheme that looks like an option play, but there's not a defender being optioned. This is a Jet Sweep with a pull from the back-side guard. The kick-out block, while executed poorly, could've sprung a sizeable gain, but the safety did a fantastic job of stringing the play out until a second-level defender could help.
But this is a build or package play where the next step would be for the QB to keep the ball, which only further muddies the waters of eye-discipline and gap control.
Here's another example of aggressive, yet disciplined run defense from the Canes.
And here's another.
I was extremely impressed with the Canes' holding Clemson to 77 yards on 41 attempts for a 1.9 yard average. And that's a shaky Miami run defense that had been gashed quite a few times during the season and just gave up 130 yards (on 26 carries) to Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor in the Orange Bowl.
If Alabama can turn the Tigers into a passing team, its ability to dial up modified-pressure schemes could be the difference-maker.
What may work in Clemson's favor, though, is its ability to stretch the field if the Tide is unable to hit home and get Bryant on the ground. The further the ball goes downfield, the more of a liability to the Tide secondary.
And with the injury to the vastly underrated Hootie Jones, a failure to affect the passer could be a severe problem.
But Clemson's throwing game is not as deadly as it was in previous seasons, so eliminating the run will work in the Tide's favor.
The game within the game is going to be captivating.
Now, about Bama's offense...
