Herbstreit: Bryant will have to pass well "Only way they win" |
No. 1 ranked Clemson will face No. 4 Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
This will be the third consecutive year that Clemson will face Alabama in the postseason and it is the second time in FBS history that two teams have met in a bowl game in three straight seasons since USC-Ohio State in 1972-1974. ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit believes he knows how Clemson can come out with the vital victory. "My big thing here, two words: Kelly Bryant," Herbstreit said on the Herbstreit & Fitzsimmons podcast. "I think he will dictate how this game goes. If Clemson wins, Kelly Bryant’s going to make some throws, and throws that make you go ‘Woah, that’s pretty good, look at Kelly Bryant go. He’s proving some doubters wrong today. Look at him throw that ball.’… It’s either going to be that, or it’s going to be wow, Kelly Bryant, great runner, man, but Alabama’s coverage was tight and he couldn’t quite squeeze it into those windows, and that’s what’s different. They don’t quite have Deshaun Watson. Kelly Bryant’s a great runner, not just quite the passer that Deshaun Watson was." Bryant has led the Tigers to a 12-1 record and completed 244-for-362 passes for 2678 yards with 13 passing touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also has displayed his tremendous dual-threat ability with 173 rushing attempts for 646 yards and 11 scores. "If they come up a little short, he’s going to miss on some throws. And if they win, he’s going to make those throws. I hate to just put it all on him, but I think everything else kind of evens itself out. It’s going to be a low-scoring, field position, special teams, turnovers, who gets the short field kind of game. But I’m telling you if Clemson wins it’s going to be because of Kelly Bryant, not his feet, his arm, and his receivers are going to make plays in the passing game. That’s the only way they win this game. If he doesn’t do that, they’re going to come up a little bit short. It’s as simple as that." Clemson has scored 75 points and gained 1,061 yards in the last two playoff games against Alabama but are currently a three-point underdog.
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