This is just off the cuff here... Go back and watch the second half against Clemson from last year. There's this dude R Evans spying Watson & chasing him down. The QB scrambles just about stopped. This was all about Half Time adjustments that CNS is a master. The last two touchdowns with Clemson was prevent & one broken play. By mid fourth quarter this game was just about in the bag. To Clemson's credit, they didn't quit.
Also, I have said this from the beginning, this defense is different than last years. Faster & more aggressive, of which I think CNS took Watson's threat to heart & told his defense they need to get faster. Pruitt has called plays as such all year long. Ultimately, Watson will make some plays but this defense respects the hell out of him, wants to shut him down (they've been working hard all year to prepare for him too), & he has been far more prone to interceptions this year. I dunno, but this reminds me an awful lot like A&M beat down defensively.
Lastly, I sense this offense has a chip on their shoulders now. Everybody is saying that they cannot keep par with Clemson's Offense, especially with the departure of Kiffin. IMHO, if we just have the same offensive philosophy of Bama's 09 NCG we'll be fine. I seem to remember folks saying we couldn't run on Texas' number one run defense but we did. We just had ball control, no turnovers, pass to set up the run & slowly squeezed them like a nut in a vise. Ultimately, you cannot scheme fatigue & if that keeps Watson on the sideline, then all the merrier.
Roll Tide!