I am a Clemson fan but here's my thoughts on the game.....
The running QB, who can also throw, has been a key ingredient to beating Alabama over the past few seasons. Cardale Jones isn't some great of a runner but he can take hits and falls forward. Chad Kelly, J Manziel, C Newton have been able to score with QB read and fake QB power runs that ultimately end in a pass as they scramble to the outside. Deshaun Watson is as good as it gets when it comes to these types of plays and I definitely expect Clemson to use them. It obviously takes that type of athleticism at QB+help to beat Alabama... we know this. Clemson uses a lot of quick wr screens to the outside as well to try and spread teams out. The reason they work so well for Clemson is because of the speed and athleticism in their WR'S and the great blocking. Alabama's athleticism all over their defense will definitely limit their effectiveness but the whole reason Clemson likes to use them is to keep the defense spread enough that they can open up the deep bomb when the corners come too close hoping to get a INT on a screen pass- or - for a little extra room for Deshaun up the middle. Don't get me wrong, Alabama's defense is fantastic and Clemson's offense most certainly won't be able to move the ball to the degree they're used too. But when you think about the types of offenses that have been able to do some damage on Alabama (which is not many), they all resemble the offense Clemson uses. This is a plus for Clemson. The highest ranked total offense that the Alabama defense faced this year was Ole Miss (#10 total O) and they scored 43 with a lot of luck and turnovers. Nevertheless, they have have beaten the Tide 2 straight years scoring 23+ in both. Clemson has faced 4 defenses ranked in the top 20 in total D (BC #1, AppSt #11, FSU #19, Lville #18) and scored (34, 41, 23, and 20). Alabama has faced 3 defenses in the top 20 in total D (Wisconsin #3, Georgia #8 and UF #9) and scored (35, 38 and 29). But those three teams are also 79, 83 and 112 in total O this year and could not move the ball well, especially in the passing games. That lead to Bama's D staying fresh by stopping their O's quickly and running the ball with Henry. The scariest piece that is hard to analyze is Alabama's punt return team. Alabama has a major advantage over Clemson in this area and Clemson practically just "fair catches" every punt unless they go for a 5 yard return. Alabama has had some big plays out of their punt return and I think this could be a key difference maker if Alabama wins the game. Clemson has an above average kicker in Huegel but his high fg % this year may be more from having "shorter" fg's than "long" ones. I see both teams as pretty even in the FG kicking area. Clemson is 19th in red-zone scoring this year with a 89.1% score rate and Alabama is 86th at 81.4%. This will be another key. For Clemson to win, they will absolutely have to make Alabama kick FG's because more likely than not, Clemson's normal 5-6 TD range will be cut down to 2-3 TD's with FG's. This is just my opinion, as a person who bets as well, as a Clemson fan, so no need to go crazy if you disagree haha. Just thought I would share...
I think this game is going to be very close. I would absolutely believe this no matter what team I pulled for. As a "Clemson fan" and someone who has watched them religiously, I do believe that Deshaun Watson just has that x-factor about him and I simply cannot see him just all of the sudden not performing or being unable to put up points. I think if Clemson loses it will actually either be the defense struggling with Henry in the 2H as they tire out some or Alabama has some key plays on punt return and/or big forced fumbles,etc... But Clemson's also has a very good defense that I think will be able to hit Coker and force him into some mistakes as well.
Clemson 26 - Alabama 24