When Clemson was the clear No. 2 in all the way-too-early top 25 rankings, I was a little confused. Sure, the Tigers will definitely be great, but what about all those losses on defense? Since that was the team’s biggest strength, shouldn’t three starters early to the NFL count as a concern?
Clemson vs. Alabama Round 4 comin’
The last eight days have only increased the chances of these two meeting again.
Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Except they didn’t lose three, two, or one. Saturday, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant (plus linebacker Kendall Joseph) announced their returns, and Monday, Christian Wilkins joined. With Dexter Lawrence back, that’s virtually all of maybe the nation’s best front seven back, minus only linebacker Dorian O’Daniel. Oh, and here come two five-star defensive line freshmen in Xavier Thomas and KJ Henry. Oh, and the offense returns almost everybody plus now has two five-star underclassman quarterbacks to push senior Kelly Bryant.
Clemson, top two in the early rankings. Got it. Cool.
Meanwhile, Bama’s roster concerns are best summed up as:
- Defensive backfield, which happens to be Nick Saban’s specialty.
- Depth on the lines, maybe?
- New punter.
- New coordinators, but that happens basically every year.
- Kicker, but that’s been the case for years and almost never mattered.
That’s it. Everywhere else is either experienced or showing off underclassmen who just balled out in the National Championship.
2015’s Bama-Clemson Playoff meeting was a classic. 2016’s was even better. 2017’s was a dud, thanks to nothing much happening other than Bama cashing in on Clemson turnovers. I don’t know whether 2018’s will be in the Orange Bowl semifinal or in Santa Clara for the title game, but I do know you should prepare for it.
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