Clemson-Alabama III: Three keys to victory for both teams

By: Joe Smeltzer 
Hello, all. It's playoff time, and for the third year in a row, the Clemson Tigers are pitted against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Only this time, it's for a trip to the national title game, not for the whole jugular. It's almost Sugar Bowl time. Here are three things that both the Tigers and Tide can do to advance to the national title game for the third year in a row.
Clemson
Key #1: Dominate the line

At 6 ft. 4 and 300 pounds, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is a monster. (Photo creds to Hartford Courant)

The most impressive aspect of Clemson's football team is its defensive line. Celin Ferrell, Dexter Lawerence and Christian Wilkins all could be first-round NFL draft picks when that time comes, and all three of them, along with defensive end Austin Bryant, have dominated opposing offenses all season.

If the Clemson front four wrecks tonight, life won't be good for Jalen Hurts and Alabama's offense. But if the Tide can hold their own up front, it would neutralize a dominant aspect of what makes the Tigers so dangerous.


Key #2: Kelly Bryant is ready

Photo creds to Sporting News

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant knows how to handle pressure. Bryant took over for one of the greatest players in ACC history in DeShaun Watson and filled those shoes well leading the Tigers to this point. But Bryant has never played in a game of this magnitude.

This is the biggest matchup in college football so far and could be even more intriguing than the national championship game. Hurts has started two playoff games before. Bryant has never started one. For Clemson's offense to move the ball, Bryant must be able to handle the pressure. I think he's up for it, but we shall see.

Key #3: Convert on third down (aka find Hunter Renfrow)

Photo creds to Elite Daily

Clemson's offense has had plenty of success on third down this season, ranking eighth in the nation in conversions. A big part of that success has been senior wideout Hunter Renfrow, who although is capable of making big plays, is known primarily as a possession receiver.

Keeping the offense on the field is a huge key in any big matchup like this, and Clemson will be in plenty of third down situations against a solid Alabama defense. Bryant will need to keep his cool in these moments and go to what works, which is throwing to Hunter Renfrow.

Alabama
Key #1: O-Line steps up 

Jonah Williams is ready for a battle (Photo creds to Gridiron Now)

The 'Bama offensive line will face its most daunting task of the season tonight. Center Bradly Bozeman and left tackle Jonah Williams both anchor an O-line that is capable of holding its own. If the Tide's big boys can keep Wilkins, Bryant and Ferrel out of its backfield as often as possible, 'Bama's chances of moving on to the national title game for the third straight season will be significantly enhanced.

Key #2: Hurts takes over

Photo creds to SI.Com

Jalen Hurts has been here before. Last season, he nearly led the Tide to the promised land as a true freshman. But there's a bit of a different feeling in the air this time around.

Alabama isn't what it was a year ago. In 2016, the Tide were number one with a bullet and expected by many to roll to a national title. This year, there is debate over if they should be in the playoffs at all.

Since Alabama's quarterback doesn't have a much talent around him as usual, more is expected of him. If 'Bama is to win this game, Hurts must make a big play. He is capable of doing that with either his arms or legs and maybe he'll have to use both. Whatever the case is, 'Bama's field general must lead his troops if a return to the national title game is possible.

Key #3: Spread the ball around 

Photo creds to Saturday Down South

Alabama's leading receiver, Calvin Ridley, has 896 yards on the season. Next on that list is Jerry Judy, with just 244 yards. So to say that Hurts' options downfield are limited is an understatement.

Relying on Ridley and nobody else won't cut it in the Sugar Bowl. Someway, somehow, Hurts must spread the ball around the field. If he can't do that, Alabama is in trouble. As good as Ridley is, he is just one man, and it's hard to envision knocking off a team like Clemson with only one receiver getting the job done.

Prediction
I will go to my grave defending the decision to put Alabama in the playoffs ahead of Ohio State. One loss is less than two, of course. But I'm riding with the Tigers tonight.

Clemson is the best team in college football. Both its offense and defense can be equally dominating, and I don't see the Tide keeping up with that balance. Clemson's D-line will overpower Alabama, and the offense will score enough to accommodate it. Unlike the past two national title games, I think this Sugar Bowl will be anticlimactic.

Clemson 28, Alabama 17

Oklahoma-Georgia: 3 keys for both teams

It's college football playoff time. For those who are familiar with this blog, the format of this article will be a little different. It will be like the "three keys" previews that I write for Steelers and Penn State games, only with keys for both teams instead of just one. Starting with the first of two semifinals, here a three things that both the Georiga Bulldogs and Oklahoma Sooners can do to advance to the national championship game.

Oklahoma
Key #1: Have Baker ready to go

Photo creds to NY Daily News

The biggest storyline going into the Rose Bowl is the health of the 2017 Heisman trophy winner.

Baker Mayfield has been battling a cold this week, and while that may not seem like the intense thing in the world, Mayfield needs to be at his best for the Sooners to have a shot. If Mayfield isn't on his A game New Year's day, OU is done, and anything that could affect that is worth talking about, even if it is as simple as feeling a little under the weather.

Key #2: Stop the run

Running backs Nick Chub (#27) and Sony Michel (#1) will be a lot for the OU defense to handle (Photo creds to Sporting News)

Anybody who has watched Georgia play this year knows that the Bulldogs are built mainly on two things- defense, and running the football. Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and DeAndre Swift are all electric runners capable of breaking off a big play at any moment, and the more the Bulldogs run the football, the less time Baker Mayfield and the Sooner offense to work its magic

While Jake Fromm has done an admirable job as a freshman quarterback, the Bulldogs doesn't identify as a passing team. So, if Fromm has to beat Oklahoma with his arm,  the Bulldogs are worse off than they would be with the three-headed monster getting it done with their legs.

Key #3: Don't play at Georgia's pace 

Mayfield gets most of the attention, but running back Ronny Anderson is no slouch either (Photo creds to SI)

If OU wins this game, it will probably be because of the offense. If Georgia wins, the defense will have a lot to do with it. So, if the Rose Bowl becomes a shootout rather than a slugfest, the Sooners will have the advantage. Oklahoma must play its style of football better than Georgia plays its style.

If the Sooners score- and score a lot- I'm not sure the Bulldogs will be able to keep up. But if Mayfield makes a mistake or two or if the Bulldogs execute long, methodical drives to keep the ball away from number six, life could be rough for boomer in Pasadena.

Georgia
Key #1: Keep the ball away from Mayfield 

Photo creds to SI.Com

As mentioned in Oklahoma's keys, time of possession will be a significant factor in this game. For Georgia, the less we see of Mayfield on the field, the better. The Bulldogs must be able to control the pace of the game to keep up with Oklahoma. Otherwise, Baker can burn them quite a bit.


Key #2: Force a turnover or three

Linebackers Lorenzo Carter (#7) and Davin Bellamy (#17) could make things interesting by forcing a takeaway (Photo creds to SB Nation)

Aside from chewing up the clock on offense, another way for Georgia to keep Oklahoma from perfecting its style of football is to take the ball away from them.

Turnovers change game and Mayfield (5 INT's) doesn't make a lot of mistakes. If the Bulldogs can get a takeaway, particularly early on, that could go a long way in deciding the outcome. If Oklahoma doesn't turn it over at least once, however, I like their chances. But considering the strength of Georgia's unit, I don't see the Sooners playing a mistake-free game offensively.


Key #3: Fromm comes up big

Photo creds to WSB Radio

My gut tells me that if Georgia wins, quarterback Jake Fromm will play a major role I don't know when.

I don't know how. But I have a feeling  at some point, Fromm will make a big play. The freshman has done well this year, but I don't think he's had a signature moment yet in his young career. Maybe New Year's Day will see that happen.

Final prediction
I can never trust a Big 12 team to win a national championship. To me, the fact that no team from that conference has won the whole thing since 2006 isn't a coincidence. The reason the Big 12 isn't as successful with championships as other power five conferences is that Big 12 teams don't play defense.

While slowing down the Sooner offense won't be an easy task, I think that if Georgia's vaunted D can hold it under 30 points, the Bulldogs will win the football game. I have faith Fromm, Michel, Chubb and the rest of the boys to hold OU just enough to move one step closer to college footballs biggest prize.



UGA 38, OU 28 

CFB Playoff: Breaking down all eight contenders

By: Joe Smeltzer
Hello, all. As conference titles get decided, the college football playoff picture will become clear shortly. Eight teams still have a prayer of competing for a national title. Here is breakdown of what those teams have to do to get in, and what their chances of winning are if they make it.


#1 Clemson
What they have to do 

Kelly Bryant has done an admirable job filling DeShaun Watson's shoes at QB (Photo creds to NCAA.Com)

Should it bother anybody that the best team in America
A. Played on a Friday night this season
B. Lost to Syracuse on a Friday night?
It bugs me a little bit. Nonetheless, Clemson has done quite well for itself without DeShaun Watson and Mike Williams, earning the number one ranking despite that Syracuse loss. While Kelly Bryant isn't at Watson's level yet, the Tigers haven't experienced too great of a dropoff at QB, while Deon Cain and Hunter Renfroe still lead a deep receiving corps. As loaded as Clemson is offensively it's the defense that makes it elite. Celin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant all could be first-round draft picks this spring, and it's worth noting that all three are on the defensive line. The Tigers are on fire, and if they beat Miami, which they should, Dabo will be in prime position to win his second straight title.

What their chances are if they get in
It's hard to argue that Clemson isn't the most complete team in college football. The offense averages 35 points per game and the defense could have multiple first-round draft picks, and they are savvy having with a lot of players having played in two straight title games The only thing stopping the Tigers from repeating as national champions would be themselves.

#2 Auburn

Jumping off the Titanic... I mean the Baylor football team, has payed off for Auburn QB Jarett Stidham. (Photo creds to SEC Country)

What they have to do 
Remember last month when Auburn lost at LSU and Gus Malahan's future was in question? Ha. Since then, the Tigers have won five games by an average of over three touchdowns, with the most important one being last Saturday's Iron Bowl. Now, Auburn controls its destiny in getting to the playoff for a shot at its first national title since the days of some guy named Cam Newton.

If they get in, what are their chances?
Unfourtanlty for the Tigers, not only don't I think that they'll win a national championship, I don't think they'll get the chance to compete for one. The reason being that they are too banged up.

Auburn has injuries both sides of the ball, most notably running back Karryon Johnson and linebacker Tre Williams. Johnson, in particular, would be devasting. If he's not at his best, Auburn won't be at its best, and I feel that if Johnson isn't himself, Georiga will take advantage of that today.

#4 Wisconsin

Photo creds to Madison.com

What they have to do 
Over the past two decades, there haven't been a lot of programs more consistent than Bucky. This season, the Badgers once again are a fundamentally sound football team, and this time, the program has a shot at its first national title since the Eisenhower administration.

If the Badgers beat Ohio State in the Big 10 title game, they're in the playoff. No questions asked.

If they get in, what are their chances?
As much as I love Wisconsin, for whatever reason, I'm not sold on its offense. Sure, the Badgers score a lot of points and have possibly the best pure runner in the country in freshman Jonathan Taylor. But the fact that these guys scored just 17  against Purdue and 24 against Illinois is concerning, mainly because of the passing game. Alex Hornibrook is improved from 2016, but could any of you picture him as a national title winning QB? I, for one, can't. I think that the Badgers will lose to a more talented Ohio State team today, and dreams of a perfect season will perish.


#3 Oklahoma 
What they have to do 

Photo creds to bleacher report

What they have to do 
Baker Mayfield may be immature, and he could be Johnny Manziel 2.0 at the next level. But one can't deny how dominant he's been as Oklahoma's quarterback. The Sooners are a typical Big 12 team that scores a lot of points and allows a lot as well. What separates the Sooners from the rest of the conference is that they take a hell of a lot more than they receive. Oh, and they have the probable Heisman Trophy winner.

If OU beats TCU Saturday, they're in the playoff. As with Wisconsin, it's that simple.

If they get in, what are their chances
I see no reason what the Sooners shouldn't handle TCU well today. But after that, as with all Big 12 teams, I don't trust them in the playoff. If you've watched the Big 12 over the past decade, you'd figure that the reason I can't trust Oklahoma is its defense, and you'd be right.
OU isn't a horrible defensive team. That unit held Ohio State to 16 points earlier this season. They also allowed 41 to 1-11 Baylor. No Big 12 team has won a national title since Vince Young's Texas Longhorns in 2005, and there's a reason for that.



On the outside 
#5 Alabama 
The Tide are the only team on this list that doesn't control their destiny. Because of the Auburn loss, Alabama doesn't have a chance to win a conference title. So in all likelihood, Big AL have to rely on somebody in the top four to lose. Otherwise, this will be the first college football playoff without Nick Saban in it.

If they get in, what are their chances?
It's clear to anybody who's watched Alabama that this is not a typical Saban coached team. That aura of dominance isn't there, and a lot of that is due to injuries, particularly at linebacker, with Shaun Dion Hamilton and Mack Wilson going down. Like rival Auburn, I think that 'Bama is too beat up, and St. Nick won't add anything to his silverware.



#6 Georiga 
What they have to do 
It might not seem like the Bulldogs are where they want to be right now, but in reality, things are far from gloom for UGA. If Georiga upsets Auburn, not only will it be in the playoffs, but it will also avenge it's only loss of the season, making the Bulldogs practically undefeated, since the 'Dawgs will have won the more important matchup of the two. Georiga controls its destiny. Beat Auburn, and they are in. Woof.

If they get in, what are their chances?
Aside from Clemson, Georiga might have the best chance of winning a national title should it beat Auburn today and get into the playoff. They have one of the nation's best defenses, led by linebacker Roquan Smith, and they have several weapons offensively as well, with Nick Chubb and Sony Michel forming a deadly one-two punch at running back. I'm not predicting it, but is there any reason that Georiga can't win its first national title since the days of Herschel Walker? I don't think they will win it all, but they certainly can win it all.

#7 Miami 
What they have to do 
Last week, the 'Canes were flying high at number two. But because they lost to Pitt (lol), they are now on the outside looking in. They're still alive in the playoff race, but they absolutely have to beat top-ranked Clemson to do so. Given Miami's struggles offensively and how hot Clemson has been, I don't see that happening.

If they get in, what are their chances?
Miami lost to Pitt, and Malik Rosier is not a good quarterback. The future is bright in South Beach, but a national title will have to wait.

#8 Ohio State
What the have to do 
While the Buckeyes chances of a third playoff appearance in four years aren't dead yet, they are on life support. If Ohio State waxes Wisconsin in Indy Saturday night, it still might not be enough. But if they are to get in somehow, I'd give them at least a realistic shot at winning a national title.


If they get in, what are their chances?
They won't get in. Bet.



So based on what I see happening, the top four will be, in no order; Clemson, Georiga, Alabama and Oklahoma. Clemson is the best of those four teams. Will it play out that way? We will see. All we can do as fans is get our popcorn ready and enjoy.