Wow: A Re-match Between Alabma's Crimson Tide & the Clemson Tigers !!!!!!!

MackDonald · Jan 3, 2017

Will this be the "game of the decade" or will it be another ho-hum football game that will be hyped-up to Super Bowl proportions.
I wish we could have a good-old fashion, hard-hitting (knock-em-down) college football game. There will be a lot of second-guessing regarding the selection of Ohio State & the Washington Huskies but it would be hard to argue that Alabama & Clemson are not the two best teams in the Country today. Now the hard part:

Alabama is currently favored by (6') with most of the odds-makers and books. A lot of arguments could be made why a sports-fan should play Clemson plus the points, especially after their performance against Washington with Watson at the top of his game. On the other side....It's Alabama..... who many say they are arguably the best team in the country (most pollsters agree). A few questions linger: Will Hurt, their freshman QB,, come of age and will the Kiffin (blip) have any affect on Alabama?

I am really looking forward to this year-end finale. Any thoughts from the Rx faithful ? I lean toward a defensive battle (under) which is currently (51') at many of the books.

pathologist · Jan 3, 2017

Clemson wins 31-20

fightgood · Jan 4, 2017

Anyone think there offense will improve without Lane Kiffin?

MackDonald · Jan 4, 2017

fightgood said:
Anyone think there offense will improve without Lane Kiffin?

I'm not certain it all relates to (X's & 0's); It is human nature to resist change however, I believe these young kids will roll with the make over of the offensive coordinator....Saban will insist; I worry about the perception. With that said, I still think Alabama's great defense will step-up to the plate.

fightgood · Jan 4, 2017

Mack Donald said:
I'm not certain it all relates to (X's & 0's); It is human nature to resist change however, I believe these young kids will roll with the make over of the offensive coordinator....Saban will insist; I worry about the perception. With that said, I still think Alabama's great defense will step-up to the plate.

The reason I asked about Kiffin is because I thought the play calling was a little conservative last game . I'm hoping it improves against Clemson.
This is a tough game to cap..Clemson probably scores 20-24 points and I am wondering if Bama has the offense in place to put up 30 or so for the cover.

MackDonald · Jan 4, 2017

pathologist said:
Clemson wins 31

I'll take it "pathologist"....that puts me on the winning-side.....just barely. Good luck with your play.

StevieRay · Jan 4, 2017

fightgood said:
The reason I asked about Kiffin is because I thought the play calling was a little conservative last game . I'm hoping it improves against Clemson.
This is a tough game to cap..Clemson probably scores 20-24 points and I am wondering if Bama has the offense in place to put up 30 or so for the cover.

no but the defense does. Lol

DeadLast · Jan 4, 2017

Here is my semi-unbiased opinion. It is not a lock for either side. It is two very good teams playing. But two teams with obvious deficiencies.

I'm a barner without a dog in this fight. I dislike Clemson but obviously don't want to see bama win another natty. Based on the AU/bama and AU/clemson games, bama is the better team - hands down. But, as all cappers know, covering the spread is about more than being better. It is about match-ups and numerous other intangibles.

When AU played bama they were a beaten, injured team with no hope of winning. Even with a healthy White and Pettway it would have taken a perfect game on their part and tons of breaks for the game to be competitive. Without them they had no chance. Bama is just that good.

The same can't be said about clemson. When AU played clemson (first game) AU was a confused team without an identity. Malzahn was lost. Pettway didn't carry the ball once. Four Qb's took snaps the first 8 plays and that circus continued for the better part of the first half. But once White settled in at QB, AU actually outplayed and out scored Clemson the rest of the game. Had numerous trips by AU into the red zone resulted in points and not turn-overs the outcome could have been much different. The clemson team that played that night wouldn't stand a chance against bama.

Now, my thoughts on the game. Clemson is a better team now than when they played AU but I think bama is overall the better team. Clemson holds advantages in 3 areas: QB, secondary and O'line (possibly receiver, as well). They must excel in all 3 to win. Bama's D-line and backers are outstanding. They will create problems for Clemson all night. But, as noted above, their secondary can be beat as evidenced by the 400 plus passing yards Ole Miss and Arkansas had against bama. Watson must take advantage of this for Clemson to win.

Clemson must also take advantage of the weakest O-line bama has had in years. Cam Robinson is bama's only really good lineman and he is over-rated. By take advantage, I don't mean put pressure on Hurts every play, but neutralize bama's run game and prevent long drives. Hurts may be a great athlete but he is a freshman and plays like one. He is a bad decision and turn over waiting to happen. Clemson doesn't need to apply lots of pressure. Instead, they need to keep him in the pocket. If he beats Clemson with his arm they deserve to lose.

I expect more points scored this year than many predict. I don't look for another 45 to 40 type game but I will be surprised if both teams don't score in the high 20's - maybe more. Clemson's D is not as good as it looked against Ohio State. Actually, it has been a liability several times this year. Against good offenses Clemson gave up lots of points: 36 to Louisville, 34 to FSU, 43 to Pitt and 35 to Virginia Tech. Expect bama to get their share.

The big question is, will their share be enough? Or maybe even a better question, will the best team or the team with the best QB win? Hard to tell. Bama is a deserving favorite but Clemson has some nice match-up problems they should be able to exploit.

If the clemson team that played AU, Troy, NC State and Pitt takes the field, expect bama to dominate. If the Clemson team that played Ohio State takes the field, I like their chances. Should be fun to watch.

StevieRay · Jan 4, 2017

DeadLast said:
Here is my semi-unbiased opinion. It is not a lock for either side. It is two very good teams playing. But two teams with obvious deficiencies.

I'm a barner without a dog in this fight. I dislike Clemson but obviously don't want to see bama win another natty. Based on the AU/bama and AU/clemson games, bama is the better team - hands down. But, as all cappers know, covering the spread is about more than being better. It is about match-ups and numerous other intangibles.

When AU played bama they were a beaten, injured team with no hope of winning. Even with a healthy White and Pettway it would have taken a perfect game on their part and tons of breaks for the game to be competitive. Without them they had no chance. Bama is just that good.

The same can't be said about clemson. When AU played clemson (first game) AU was a confused team without an identity. Malzahn was lost. Pettway didn't carry the ball once. Four Qb's took snaps the first 8 plays and that circus continued for the better part of the first half. But once White settled in at QB, AU actually outplayed and out scored Clemson the rest of the game. Had numerous trips by AU into the red zone resulted in points and not turn-overs the outcome could have been much different. The clemson team that played that night wouldn't stand a chance against bama.

Now, my thoughts on the game. Clemson is a better team now than when they played AU but I think bama is overall the better team. Clemson holds advantages in 3 areas: QB, secondary and O'line (possibly receiver, as well). They must excel in all 3 to win. Bama's D-line and backers are outstanding. They will create problems for Clemson all night. But, as noted above, their secondary can be beat as evidenced by the 400 plus passing yards Ole Miss and Arkansas had against bama. Watson must take advantage of this for Clemson to win.

Clemson must also take advantage of the weakest O-line bama has had in years. Cam Robinson is bama's only really good lineman and he is over-rated. By take advantage, I don't mean put pressure on Hurts every play, but neutralize bama's run game and prevent long drives. Hurts may be a great athlete but he is a freshman and plays like one. He is a bad decision and turn over waiting to happen. Clemson doesn't need to apply lots of pressure. Instead, they need to keep him in the pocket. If he beats Clemson with his arm they deserve to lose.

I expect more points scored this year than many predict. I don't look for another 45 to 40 type game but I will be surprised if both teams don't score in the high 20's - maybe more. Clemson's D is not as good as it looked against Ohio State. Actually, it has been a liability several times this year. Against good offenses Clemson gave up lots of points: 36 to Louisville, 34 to FSU, 43 to Pitt and 35 to Virginia Tech. Expect bama to get their share.

The big question is, will their share be enough? Or maybe even a better question, will the best team or the team with the best QB win? Hard to tell. Bama is a deserving favorite but Clemson has some nice match-up problems they should be able to exploit.

If the clemson team that played AU, Troy, NC State and Pitt takes the field, expect bama to dominate. If the Clemson team that played Ohio State takes the field, I like their chances. Should be fun to watch.

Chip Kelly to Auburn!

MackDonald · Jan 6, 2017

StevieRay said:
Chip Kelly to Auburn!

Now that would be an embracement of a full-circle for that New England boy who coached out-East (New Hampshire) then, out West (Oregon) then back East
to the NFL (Eagles) and then, back West (the 49'ers) and then....suddenly.......the Deep South (Auburn), that would lead to culture-shock anyone in the coaching world.