Jan. 11--Times staff writer Gary Klein examines how Clemson and Alabama match up in advance of Monday night's College Football Playoff championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
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Clemson run game
vs. Alabama defense
Running back Wayne Gallman and quarterback Deshaun Watson give top-ranked Clemson an uncommon duo of highly productive runners.
Gallman, a third-year sophomore, has rushed for 1,482 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Georgia native is coming off a 150-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Tigers' Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
Watson, a sophomore, has rushed for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns. His playmaking ability on the run makes the 6-2, 210-pound Watson a potential nightmare for Alabama's outstanding defense.
Running back Zac Brooks has rushed for three touchdowns.
Alabama is ranked second nationally in total defense and is No. 1 against the run. The Crimson Tide has given up only 70.8 yards rushing per game.
In its 38-0 Cotton Bowl victory against Michigan State, Alabama held the Spartans to 29 yards rushing.
All-American end A'Shawn Robinson, nose guard Darren Lake and end Jarran Reed are the starting linemen, All-American Reggie Ragland, Denzel Devall, Dillon Lee and Reuben Foster the linebackers.
Edge: Alabama
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Clemson passing
vs. Alabama secondary
Watson is accurate from the pocket and on the run. He has completed 68% of his passes, 31 for touchdowns, with 12 interceptions.
His favorite target is receiver Artavis Scott. The sophomore has 89 receptions, five for touchdowns.
Tight end Jordan Leggett has a team-best seven touchdown catches and receiver Charone Peake has five.
Gallman has 18 receptions, one for a touchdown.
Alabama will try to disrupt Watson and the passing game with waves of defensive linemen who helped the Crimson Tide record 50 sacks, the most in major-college football.
End Jonathan Allen has a team-best 12 sacks, which ranks ninth nationally. Linebacker Tim Williams has nine. Neither is listed as a starter on Alabama's depth chart.
The Crimson Tide has given up 13 touchdown passes and gives up 186 yards passing per game.
Strong safety Eddie Jackson has returned two of his team-best five interceptions for touchdowns. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey has three interceptions, Cyrus Jones and Minkah Fitzpatrick two and cornerback Geno Matias-Smith one.
Fitzpatrick returned his two interceptions against Texas A for touchdowns of 33 and 55 yards, becoming the first player in Alabama history with two pick-six plays in the same game.
Edge: Clemson.
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Alabama run game
vs. Clemson defense
Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry has rushed for 2,061 yards and 25 touchdowns for an offense that has averaged 204.4 yards rushing per game.
Henry, 6-3 and 242 pounds, averages 147.2 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. He has run for more than 200 yards four times this season.
