With the College Football Playoff National Championship Game just a day away, it's time to take a deeper look at the two teams playing for the title. We’ve detailed the offenses and defenses and the keys to the game, now here are five one-on-one matchups you need to focus on.
Alabama WR Calvin Ridley vs. Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander
The wide receiver was thought to be a bit of a question mark for Alabama when the season began, but freshman Calvin Ridley quickly established himself as a reliable target. And as the season progressed, his big-play ability fully came into focus.
Ridley leads the Tide with 83 catches for 1,031 yards and seven scores on the year, and is coming off his best performance so far: eight catches for 138 yards and two scores in the CFP semifinal win over Michigan State.
Ridley will have a major challenge on his hands against Clemson’s Mackensie Alexander, a first-team All-ACC selection. The redshirt sophomore has been a key cog in Clemson’s ninth-ranked pass defense and put the clamps on Oklahoma star Sterling Shepard in the Tigers’ semifinal win. He’ll have to do it again against Ridley.
Clemson DE Shaq Lawson vs. Alabama OT Cam Robinson
Lawson, Clemson’s All-American defensive end, left the Tigers’ CFP semifinal win over Oklahoma with a knee sprain. Every indication is that he’ll give it a go against Alabama, and if he does, he’s in for a big challenge going against big Cam Robinson, Alabama’s left tackle.
Robinson is just a sophomore, but he’s already established himself as one of the best linemen in the SEC. At 6-foot-6 and 326 pounds, Robinson is enormous, but he is an incredible athlete who can get out to the second level in the run game as well as he pass protects. Just look at this block he made on a wide receiver screen last week against Michigan State. The guy is a freak.
It will be his task to protect Jake Coker’s blindside from Lawson, who has 10.5 sacks and leads the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Lawson is the perfect mix of power and speed off the edge. It will be a treat to watch these two go head-to-head.
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson vs. Alabama LB Reggie Ragland
As dangerous as Deshaun Watson is through the air, his ability to run the ball – both on designed run plays and on scrambles – is a huge concern for the Alabama defense. Heading into Monday’s game, Watson has 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing and has at least 100 yards in five of his last six games. It will certainly be a group effort for the Tide, but middle linebacker Reggie Ragland will be counted to clean up in space.
Ragland will have to key in on Clemson running back Wayne Gallman between the tackles as well, but Watson’s escapability will be a huge point of emphasis for Ragland. Ragland leads the Tide with 97 tackles on the year and will be counted on to go sideline to sideline to prevent big gains.
To counteract this, Clemson could try to get tight end Jordan Leggett in one-on-one matchups with the 252-pound Ragland in coverage. Some plays should be there for Leggett, especially on dump offs and check downs.
Alabama RB Derrick Henry vs. Clemson LB B.J. Goodson
The power rushing attack of Heisman winner Derrick Henry has been a major key to success for the Alabama offense throughout the season. Henry, who has 2,115 yards and 25 touchdowns, couldn’t get much going against Michigan State last week, totaling just 75 yards on 20 carries, so you know he’s primed for a bounce back performance against the Tigers.
For Clemson to have success like MSU did, middle linebacker B.J. Goodson needs to have a big game. The Tigers’ defensive line will play big part in that. If it can occupy Alabama’s offensive linemen and prevent them from reaching the second level, linebackers like Goodson and Ben Boulware will be able to get a clean shot on the 245-pound Henry. Even if that happens, bringing down Henry is no sure bet. If Goodson reaches Henry on the initial point of attack, he’ll need his teammates to come in to clean things up. With 98 tackles and 14 tackles for loss on the season, Goodson has been a sure tackler all year long. The Tigers need him play with the same consistency on Monday night.
Clemson K Greg Huegel vs. Alabama K Adam Griffith
This isn’t exactly a one-on-one matchup like the others, but so many football games come down to special teams – kickers in particular.
For Clemson, freshman walk-on Greg Huegel came out of nowhere to have a great year. He wasn’t even on the roster until this summer when starter Ammon Lakip was suspended. He impressed in fall practice and earned the team’s starting kicking job. He hasn’t disappointed, hitting 25-of-29 attempts on the year – including making three of his four attempts last week against Oklahoma.
If there’s one weakness for Huegel, it’s his range. He has made six of nine attempts from beyond 40 yards, but is only one-of-four from 45 or beyond, including a 47-yard miss against the Sooners.
On the other side, Alabama’s Adam Griffith has a huge leg, but has struggled with consistency. He is five-of-eight on tries from 40-49 yards, and is also two-for-two from beyond 50 (including a 55-yarder vs. LSU). However, he has missed a handful of chip shots, including three from inside 30 yards.
He missed his first four attempts of the season, and finished the season 22-of-30 by hitting eight of his final nine attempts, including a 47-yarder in the New Year’s Eve win over Michigan State.
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