College Football is preparing to hand out the second national championship in the playoff era as the top-ranked, undefeated Clemson Tigers prepare to face No.2 Alabama for the sport's top spot. Both teams put on dominating performances in their semi-final games while carrying Heisman trophy worthy players on their roster. Now they prepare to battle in Glendale, Arizona as the best defense and the nation's top quarterback go head-to-head.
This championship game could come down to Deshaun Watson against the Alabama defense. Watson capped up a stellar season with the Tigers with a Heisman trophy nomination as a sophomore. He has been the x-factor for this Clemson team who is aiming for a perfect season. Watson helped Clemson stifle Oklahoma in the semi-final game and now he faces a tough Alabama defense. Watson represents the Tide's usual No.1 weakness in his mobile ability. He has the perfect run-pass abilities that could give this defensive unit headaches like it has in the past. No defense was a matchup for him during the regular season or the first round of the playoffs and now the Tide have to see if they can be the ones to slow him down. He will pair with running back Wayne Gallman who rushed for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Sooners.
For Alabama, outside of their defense, the play of Jake Coker will determine a lot. The quarterback put forth an impressive game against Michigan State as the Tide got the shutout. He has never been in this position before as he simply cannot afford to make mistakes if Alabama is going to keep up with the high-flying Tigers' offense. Derrick Henry is of course the other piece to the puzzle as the Heisman trophy winner will keep things balanced on the ground. He will be getting plenty of Shaq Lawson who is expected to return from a knee injury suffered against Oklahoma.
Both Henry and Watson are looking to guide their teams to the finish line. For Watson, he will be facing the defense led by Jonathan Allen who sacked Connor Cook four times. For Alabama, freshman Calvin Ridley will be going up against the top cornerback of Mackensie Alexander. Both of these teams balance one another out. The team that can get the key turnover or the one explosive play will take home the trophy.