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

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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 02: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the third quarter during the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1. Kelly Bryant doesn’t get rattled on the big stage

Before this season, junior quarterback Kelly Bryant had thrown a total of 18 passes, completing 13 of them, for 75 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He was as unproven as any starting quarterback for a title contender in college football, but he silenced doubters with his calm demeanor in ACC play.

The one game in which the Tigers were tripped up, at Syracuse, the junior quarterback went down with an injury and didn’t return to action. Syracuse shocked the nation and stole a win from the defending national champs, but Bryant made sure that didn’t spiral into a losing streak.

Bryant came back the next week and took care of Georgia Tech by throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 67. The following week, he went on the road to beat NC State and then went one step further, taking down ACC rival Florida State on Nov. 11. He closed the season with blowout wins at South Carolina and in the ACC title game against Miami.

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The junior quarterback isn’t rattled on the big stage and that will be proven yet again with a strong showing against the Crimson Tide. It takes a lot to shake this kid’s confidence, and it won’t happen on Monday.

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