Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Clemson’s defensive front could stifle No. 4 Alabama
NEW ORLEANS — Clemson has ridden a dominant defensive line to a No. 1 ranking heading into the climactic College Football Playoff.
Tigers defensive tackle Christian Wilkins sees no reason why Clemson’s semifinal showdown with Alabama in tonight’s Sugar Bowl should be any different.
Confidence, Wilkins said, is “at an all-time high because we have guys who’ve played in these big-time type of games, who have played against Alabama and just are used to this. We have a lot of confidence in each other . ... We definitely are ready to bring it.”
Indeed, Clemson has the requisite combination of talent and experience to advance past Alabama and into its third straight national title tilt.
It all starts with a menacing front four that helped Clemson
record 44 sacks this season. And it is their matchup against Alabama’s offensive line and mobile QB Jalen Hurts that could very well tip the balance in the Sugar Bowl.
Alabama’s offensive line struggled in its most recent game, a loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Auburn’s defense was credited with two sacks and nine QB hits in a convincing 26-14 victory. Statistically, Clemson’s defense has outperformed Auburn’s this season. Clemson ranks second nationally in points allowed per game at 12.8 and second in sacks per game at 3.38.
“This game is going to be won in the trenches and it starts with us and it ends with
us,” Wilkins said. “We put a lot of pressure on ourselves as a D-line to be the spark for the team, not just the defense.”
Wilkins said Auburn’s defensive front succeeded against Alabama because of relentless effort in pursuit off Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts, an adept scrambler who has rushed for 768 yards this season.
“We’re just going to have to be relentless. We’re going to have to keep pursuing, keep going after him, because you never know when an extraeffort play like that could be the biggest play in the game,” Wilkins said.
Prediction: Clemson 21, Alabama 14.