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Alabama enters tonight’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game as 6.5-point favorites over the Clemson Tigers. That’s a pretty significant edge for a matchup that features the two best teams in college football. While Vegas may feel like the Crimson Tide are the better team, I’m going to give you five reasons why Clemson will emerge as national champions.
5. Shaq Lawson
Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports5. Shaq Lawson
Lawson is expected to be fully available for the Tigers after suffering a sprained MCL against Oklahoma. Even if he can only be in on third-down passing situations, any pressure he can provide against the Crimson Tide passing game will be a welcomed sight.
4. Brent Venables
Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports4. Brent Venables
While the experts want to talk the ability of Nick Saban and Kirby Smart to devise a gameplan to shut down the opposing team's best weapons, Venables is just as capable. He was formerly the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma, so he's been in this position before and will make things difficult for the Alabama offense.
3. Confidence
Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports3. Confidence
It starts with head coach Dabo Swinney and trickles down to every player on the roster. The Tigers are the lone remaining undefeated team in FBS, and they have no problem letting opponents know it. While this will certainly be their toughest test, their belief that they're the best team in the country will be huge tonight.
2. Mackensie Alexander
Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports2. Mackensie Alexander
Alexander is ranked as a top-10 prospect by some experts for the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. His job on Monday night will be to slow down Alabama's No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley. Expect Alexander to get the job done which will create problems for Jake Coker.
1. Deshaun Watson
Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports1. Deshaun Watson
Watson has to play the best game of his career tonight, and I believe he will. Alabama has typically struggled with running quarterbacks in the past, and Watson's ability to make plays with his legs is what makes him special. Look for the Tigers to run a lot of run/pass option plays.
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