5. Neither Clemson nor Alabama make a single fourth-down conversion
During the 2017 season, no team was better at converting fourth-down tries than Alabama. The Crimson Tide moved the chains 81.7 percent of the time they held off from booting the football. Clemson wasn’t far behind, finishing tied for third nationally as they converted 75 percent of their tries.
Of course, both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers attempted just 16 fourth downs each. Alabama converted 13 of 16 attempts on fourth down. Clemson converted 12 of its 16 tries. Nick Saban was more daring than Dabo Swinney, going for it on 27 percent of the fourth downs Alabama saw this season. The Tigers, on the other hand, went for it on 20 percent of their fourth-down opportunities.
Both teams will roll the dice a few times on New Year’s Day at the Superdome. Both teams will come up empty, turning the ball over on downs. Several times we will see players get stuffed at the line trying to pick up a yard or two to move the sticks. We will see at least one pass attempt get tipped and sent wobbling to the turf. Even a fake punt will end up looking silly as it fails to get the first down.
Two of the best teams in the country at picking up yards in dire moments will see their luck fall flat. The Tigers and Tide will each run into brick walls as defense comes to dominate this year’s Sugar Bowl.