ESPN analyst: Alabama 'disrespected,' Clemson mindset key to win

ESPN's McFarland says some big plays could be there for Kelly Bryant and the Clemson offense.

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Tue Dec 19 14:02:59 GMT-04:00 2017

ESPN analyst Booger McFarland sees one major difference in the third-straight Playoff installment of Clemson-Alabama.

And it’s not Deshaun Watson’s absence, although he sees Kelly Bryant as “the straw that stirs the drink” when it comes to a Clemson win.

No, while it's status quo in Vegas lines (Alabama a 3-point favorite), McFarland sees a mentality shift between the two teams, and how each side handles that is the deciding factor come Jan. 1 in New Orleans (8:45 ET, ESPN).

“You look at the game the last two times they’ve played – Alabama has kinda been the team that’s been hunted,” McFarland said on ESPN’s Playoff preview podcast recently. “Everybody’s been going after them. ‘Can Clemson keep up with Alabama?’ Clemson has kinda been the underdog. I think the roles are reversed this time. I think the mindset is going to play a big key.

“If you put these two teams on paper, the best team is Clemson – offensively, defensively, special teams. Alabama’s got a lot of talent and that talent has a chip on their shoulder. They lost a national championship game. They barely got into the playoff this year. Nothing motivates an 18-year-old like being disrespected. They feel like they’re disrespected. Beyond the X’s and O’s, it’s going to come down to the mindset.”

With Alabama feeling the disrespect, in McFarland’s estimation, it’s up to Clemson to match the intensity.

“Clemson was so hungry last year – they were determined to win,” he said. “I just wonder how much hunger and determination they’re going to have. Make no mistake, they’re the better team. Clemson is the better team. Now will they have the determination?

“I can’t wait to watch that.”

McFarland was one part of a Clemson prediction sweep on the four-man podcast panel, which also included Jason Fitz, Brad Edwards and Peter Burns.

Edwards is skeptical Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts can make the plays needed to come out on top. Hurts led the SEC in passing efficiency (155.62), but ranked 12th nationally and averaged a mere 161.7 passing yards per game, which is down over 20 yards from last year (185.3).

“Alabama, to some extent, has to go back to the drawing board offensively,” Edwards said. “They have to figure out what their identity is going to be. While I think they’re been consistent over the last couple years of who they are with Jalen Hurts as quarterback, it hasn’t exactly worked against the better defenses they’ve faced…

“Last six games Alabama has played against ranked teams, Alabama has converted 25 percent on third down. That is atrocious. And here’s the reason why, their average yards to go on third down in those games has been 8.9 yards. When you’re looking at 3rd and 9 on average, you’re not going to convert much.

“That’s what it’s coming down to because they’re not getting the job done on first and second down. And that’s because teams know, if you just stop Alabama’s run, what is there to be afraid of because there’s not much to scare you in the passing game.”

Clemson’s defense ranks 14th nationally in first down defense and No. 1 overall in second down defensive efficiency, in addition to a fourth-best rank on third down.

Counting the Tiger defense as the best Alabama has faced “bar-none,” McFarland sees the Crimson Tide defensive plan for Bryant as the key to any success.

“If you’re Alabama, you’re going to have to figure out a way to confuse him,” McFarland said. “Put pressure on him. Here’s the key, Alabama doesn’t have the same front-four to pressure you. You’re going to have to blitz the guy. This is a game where you could see bigger plays than we’re used to seeing them give up.

“I think there’s a little more pressure on Kelly Bryant because he’s kinda the straw that stirs the drink…It’s hard to picture Clemson winning without Kelly Bryant playing well.”