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Alabama Football: 5 Bold predictions for National Championship vs. Clemson

By John Mitchell

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dives with the ball as Van Smith #23 of the Clemson Tigers defends in the second half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide dives with the ball as Van Smith #23 of the Clemson Tigers defends in the second half of the AllState Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

4. Tua comes up clutch in a national title game again

Tua Tagovailoa made a name for himself in last season’s CFP National Championship Game, famously coming off the bench against Georgia after halftime and leading the Crimson Tide back from a 13-0 deficit.

The then-freshman led Alabama to a 20-7 second half to send the game into overtime, with Tua hitting fellow freshman Devonta Smith for a 41-yard game-winning touchdown to lift the Tide to a 26-23 win for the program’s fifth national championship in the last nine years.

He’ll get another opportunity to shine on the biggest stage, this time without sneaking up on the opponent. He’s a known commodity now, putting together a ridiculously efficient sophomore season, one more efficient performance on Monday night away from setting the record for highest QB efficiency rating in college football history.

Tua finished runner-up to Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray for the Heisman Trophy, and then outshined Murray head-to-head in the Orange Bowl. Tua completed 24-of-27 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns, with one of the three incompletions being a drop.

Clemson’s defense will provide much more resistance, obviously, with the Tigers sporting college football’s best defense in terms of yards-per-play. But where Clemson can be vulnerable, however, is in the secondary.

They’ve typically acquitted themselves well, ranking third in passing downs S&P+, but they have been pillaged by capable quarterbacks a couple of times this season.

South Carolina’s Jake Bentley threw for over 500 yards and five touchdowns as the Gamecocks rolled up 35 points in the rivalry game. In September, Kellen Mond threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns, with the Tigers struggling against Texas A&M’s big receivers.

Alabama boasts a loaded receiving corps led by Biletnikoff Award winner Jerry Jeudy. With four legitimate options at receiver, a big-play tight-end in Irv Smith Jr., and a running back in Josh Jacobs who is capable of making plays as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Tua has the weapons to spread the wealth and keep Clemson off balance.

Against a loaded team, Tua will need to be at his best in order for Alabama to capture their second straight national title and sixth in the last decade. Look for the hyper-efficient sophomore to save his best for last, coming up with some clutch plays that helps Alabama to a win.

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