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College Football Playoff National Championship: Who has edge at each position?

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide long snapper Cole Mazza (55) prepares to snap the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide long snapper Cole Mazza (55) prepares to snap the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56), linebacker Reuben Foster (10), and defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) react during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56), linebacker Reuben Foster (10), and defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) react during the third quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

On to the linebackers. This one might not be such a lopsided edge as assumed when looking at Alabama’s linebackers, but Clemson has been effective, and deep, at the position all year.

However, the Crimson Tide are led by two consensus first-round talents in Tim Williams, primarily a blitzer, and Reuben Foster who is considered a top-five pick. Ryan Anderson has been another powerful force for the Tide this season and this group is probably the most terrifying unit on the defensive side of the ball.

While it takes a strong linebacking unit to shut a team like Ohio State out, the Clemson Tigers don’t have the type of athletes at the position that Alabama does. While the Tigers aren’t exactly slouches in the middle of the defense, they just don’t have guys like Williams and Foster who balance each other out perfectly.

Ben Boulware led the team with 110 tackles this season, as well as a poor excuse for the Tigers controversially grabbing Ohio State players’ behinds. Kendall Joseph is strong against the run and Dorian O’Daniel rounds out the talented groups as the best defender against the pass.

While these guys are talented and might be better than any unit in the playoff not named Alabama, the Crimson Tide take the cake here.

Edge: Alabama

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