Clemson beats Bama

[SABRWinners]

ACC is not as strong as last yr.

This is categorically false. The ACC's Atlantic Division (the one Clemson plays in) was the 2nd most difficult division in all of college football this year, behind only the SEC West, according to the Sagarin ratings.

It has 6 teams ranked in the top 32 of the Sagarin ratings. The other, Syracuse, was in the top 40 before its starting QB Eric Dungey got hurt and Cuse got plastered in its late games (he missed the last four).

Clemson played a difficult crossover schedule. It played a road game at 17th ranked Virginia Tech, faced 15th ranked Miami in the championship game, and played 39th ranked Georgia Tech, as well. That adds up to 8 conference opponents who finished the year ranked in the top 39.

Last year's ACC had 8 in the top 40, as well, including Clemson. This year's ACC has 10 teams in the top 40 of the Sagarin ratings. The league is much deeper. Clemson also played its most difficult conference opponents away from home (Virginia Tech, Louisville, NC State, Miami).

Your belief that the ACC is not as strong this year is based upon your understanding of how good teams like Wake Forest and the like were this year.

Yes, Louisville struggled, but they went out of conference and CRUSHED Kentucky on the road. Virginia Tech got a neutral field win over West Virginia. Duke beat Northwestern. Virginia beat Boise State by 20 on the road. Louisville beat Purdue.

The ACC is every bit as good this year as it was last year, even if it's not as flashy (Louisville and Florida State being worse, while teams like Virginia Tech are better).

 

[jwhite]

Biggest bet of the year? Really? I like Clemson to win but I concede it will be close. It’s essentially a pickem. Couldn’t fathom making it biggest bet of year. Bama has a big advantage in kicking game for sure. But what else? Small edge in rbs. That’s about it. When I look at the trilogy of games, I think Bama has more advantages in the first two games when comparing units. Now I think Clemson has more advantages. Clemson’s d line will have an advantage over Bama’s o line which I think will be huge. In the first game, Coker was good enough to lead a balanced attack which Hurts is not. Anyway now I have to go, but I just don’t see it

 

[pathologist]

Biggest bet of the year? Really? I like Clemson to win but I concede it will be close. It’s essentially a pickem. Couldn’t fathom making it biggest bet of year. Bama has a big advantage in kicking game for sure. But what else? Small edge in rbs. That’s about it. When I look at the trilogy of games, I think Bama has more advantages in the first two games when comparing units. Now I think Clemson has more advantages. Clemson’s d line will have an advantage over Bama’s o line which I think will be huge. In the first game, Coker was good enough to lead a balanced attack which Hurts is not. Anyway now I have to go, but I just don’t see it

I'm with you on this one, I figured no way Clemson would win lasy year. BAMA had a dominant d

 

[CouchQB]

I'm from Greenville SC and a big CLEMSON fan but I've got to give BAMA the edge here

 

[Albatross]

Bama has a dogshit QB. Other than that I have Bama ahead.

 

[r.a.]

Clemson's kicking game is not good.

However, I'm very interested in how you divined that from the Miami game. Alex Spence made his only field goal, from 46 yards, and made all of his extra points. On kickoffs, Miami had a long of 26, with an average of 21.2. More often than not, Miami started its drives after kickoffs short of the 25 yard line.

Perhaps you're just full of shit.

Wow, full of shit ... let's see. Clemson punter Will Spiers led the Tigers to a ranking of 111th amongst division one teams ... very impressive. He was particularly impressive in the Miami game averaging 31.3 yards on six kicks ... scarey good. Alex Spence made 7 out of the 15 field goals he attempted and only missed 2 extra points ... All American stuff for sure. Ya, you're right i'm full of shit ... better hope Clemson isn't relying on their kicking game as the needed edge vs. Bama.

 

[jwhite]

Doing some bowl prep and read that Kevin Steele only blitzed TWICE vs Bama. Said they knew they could get pressure with front four. Crazy.

 

[cloverleaf]

Bama has a dogshit QB. Other than that I have Bama ahead.

SEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - 2016
(please Saban, recruit more dogshit QBs)

 

[solrosenberg]

I lean Clemson in this also, like I did the last time these 2 played. Is Bryant gonna play well on the big stage? Last year I saw Clemson's huge advantage at QB, do they still have an advantage there this time?
2 years ago Saban outsmarted Dabo with some tricks and OJ Howard burned Clemson a lot, Clemson had pretty big yardage and first down advantages.
Outside of 1 big run Derrick Henry didn't do much.
I can see Alabama struggling with that front 7 again, just the Bryant factor kinda scares me.....

 

[jwhite]

CU can only win if...Gimme a break. Bama always has excuses. Utah and okla—didn’t want to be there. OSU—players distracted by nfl. Clemson—coordinators or flu. Clemson will win. Better team. No excuses. And they don’t “need” everything to fall into place. Could Bama win? Of course. Historically great program. But this year, Clemson is better. They will win. More balanced and don’t need to make 1000 excuses or rely on history or their perceived “meat grinder conference.” They also don’t have to play a perfect game like they maybe had to a few years ago. All the analysts saying that Kelly Bryant has to do this or that or Saban has had a month to prepare. We’ll see. Should be a good game. But Saban and all his prized coordinators have almost never been able to stop a dual threat qb. Hell, even white boy stitham looked awesome against them this year. If clemson self destructs and turns it over 3-4 times, then Bama will win. Otherwise, Clemson wins in my opinion.

 

[stock07]

Go Tigers

 

[skins85]

i think alabama wins but im done with this argument, just play the game already. a healthy/rested alabama still is a great defense in my opinion. i think all factors in this game are about as close as 2 teams can be. i dont care about the illness and nobody is making excuses, its just information for those who gamble. each team is rested and healthy (in regards to injury) so let it play out. roll tide

 

[jwhite]

i think alabama wins but im done with this argument, just play the game already. a healthy/rested alabama still is a great defense in my opinion. i think all factors in this game are about as close as 2 teams can be. i dont care about the illness and nobody is making excuses, its just information for those who gamble. each team is rested and healthy (in regards to injury) so let it play out. roll tide

You’re not making excuses by I am getting inundated with them from the SEC network and SOME Bama fans. Just like Saban makes excuses. But you’re right we will see. Should be an awesome game! Can’t wait!

 

[pathologist]

I watched reruns of the last 2 games they played. I know these are different players/years/etc... but Clemson plays very confident and aggressive against the Tide, almost 1100 yards of offense last 2 games against a lot better Bama defense. Clemson 30 Bama 13

 

[skins85]

roll tide.
drunk....happy....damn right

 

[pathologist]

Clemson shit the bed, 6pts...wtf

 

[Albatross]

Clemson has a dogshit Offense.

 

[jchooker]

Watson won it for them last yr... Covered the # for them the yr before.....