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

By Justin Heisey

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)
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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

1. Clemson’s Front Four

This will never not be the top reason that Clemson defeats anyone. Clemson has one of the greatest defensive lines ever assembled in one place. This line could potentially be Clemson’s all-time defensive line and they are all on campus at the same time.

Even without the mammoth-sized Dexter Lawrence, the Tigers held Notre Dame to 248 total yards and sacked Ian Book six times. The Tigers will be without Lawrence yet again this coming Monday, but it seems as though Albert Huggins is up to the task that is the Alabama offensive line.

Clemson leads the nation in sacks, is No. 10 in redzone defense, No. 2 in success rate, No. 1 overall in Defensive S&P, No. 3 in 3rd down defense, No. 2 in tackles for loss, No. 2 in rushing defense, No. 2 in total defense, and they boast the best national scoring defense. Alabama’s lowest point totals came against Mississippi State and LSU, both of which hold top 15 Defensive S&P defenses. Clemson has the experience edge in the front seven and Alabama’s offensive line hasn’t played against a defensive line of this caliber all season long.

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This game will play a true test to how well Tua Tagovailoa can handle pressure in the pocket. Even without Dexter Lawrence Clemson still brings Clellin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, and Christian Wilkins starting, a young stud in Xavier Thomas, Albert Huggins who came into the Notre Dame game with the third most quarterback hurries for the Tigers this season, and Nyles Pickney. Alabama’s offensive line can’t double team everyone.

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