Clemson Football: Tigers can beat Alabama in College Football Playoff

Clemson Football: 5 Reasons Tigers beat Tide in College Football Playoff

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. Clemson defeated Notre Dame 30-3. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Alabama’s Down Rushing Season

The staple of an Alabama offense is the running game. The Crimson Tide have two Heisman winners in Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram, both of which were running backs. This seasons offense has focused more around the pass with the talented Tua Tagovailoa slinging the ball around to a stable of talented receivers, but the running game has taken a noticeable step back.

The Crimson Tide are currently ranked No. 34 in rushing offense which is the lowest it has been since the 2014 season that ended in a College Football Playoff loss to Ohio State. Although Jalen Hurts‘ running ability may have influenced this, it’s important to highlight the performance of starting running back Damien Harris.

Harris took 139 carries and went for 819 yards for an average of 5.9 yards per carry. Over the past two seasons, Harris averaged 140 carries with 1,018 yards and an average of 7.2 yards per carry. His carries are up from a season ago by only four but his average is down a yard and a half.

Clemson’s run defense is the second best in the nation, behind Michigan State, and allows a mere 92.5 yards per game to opposing teams. Alabama’s down rushing game will allow the Tigers to focus more on stopping the pass rather than having to focus on slowing down the usual Alabama wrecking ball.

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