Clemson Football: 5 reasons Tigers will beat Alabama in Sugar Bowl

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 to win the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. “Disrespected” Clemson has repeat in mind

Still playing somewhat of an underdog role, Clemson is looking to repeat as the national champ and the Tigers are also looking to gain more respect. Sure, everyone knows Clemson and Dabo Swinney as winners, but not at the level of Nick Saban and Alabama.

No team in college football currently owns a two-game winning streak against Saban and the Tigers are looking to change that. There’s a little added motivation given that this is essentially a rubber match. Alabama won the national title over Clemson two years ago, the Tigers won it all last year over the Tide and this is the decider in the short three-game series.

Clemson versus Alabama has become one of the best rivalries in college football that really didn’t start out as one until they met in the title game a couple years back.

However, the Tigers are feeling a bit disrespected because of all the national pundits picking Alabama to win and even the ESPN Football Power Index predicts the Tide have a 60 percent chance of winning. With a repeat in mind, the Tigers will do what the Tide couldn’t a season ago.

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