Best team Saban has faced at Alabama

Dec 31, 2018, 1:59 AM

Starting to look forward to facing Clemson each year as I think this rivalry is bringing out the best in both teams.

This year's Clemson team seems different though. I don't see any holes or matchups to exploit. You guys are 85 deep like we are and it's going to take a herculean effort to beat you. I think this is the best team Saban has faced at Alabama with 2014 Ohio State and 2010 Auburn getting honorable mentions.

My feeling is that we're both very much equally matched and that if Clemson and Alabama played a five game series on a neutral field, that there would be a game five.

I think the two biggest factors that will shape the game are as follows:

- In any other year, the media would drool over this Clemson squad as they're as good as it gets. It just so happens that this is the first year in decades (if ever) that Alabama has what appears to be a real and balanced offense. Because of this, Alabama has been praised all season and at times been compared to the best CFB team of all time. The odd thing is that this Clemson team is every bit as good as we are and probably really fired up at the lack of respect from the national media. That scares me immensely as I feel that you guys will take the field like wolves ready to tear flesh from bone. Given the relative parity in athleticism of both teams, if we can't match your intensity, we're in big trouble.

- Working (possibly) in Bama's favor is the path to this game. I believe that going through UGA and Oklahoma prepares Bama for Clemson better than facing Pitt and ND prepares Clemson for Bama. That said, it's possible that we're more beat up from it than you guys are so I can't quite tell if this is an advantage just yet.

I dread and look forward to the challenge in the same breath. Best of luck and it's an honor to share the field with you.

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colberttiger said:

I realize that bama is stacked every year, but give us your opinion of their strongest and weakest links this year.

When Clemson is on offense, I expect them to attack with their running game as we've had some teams that have had success against us running the ball. We're softer here than we've ever been. Given our success with Tua, I can't tell how good our running attack is. Could we run the ball if Tua was being shut down?

This matchup will likely be decided by Alabama's ability to exploit Clemson's pass defense which looks to be its weakest link even though 18th in the country is hardly weak at all.

Again, when looked at holistically, neither of these teams have a major flaw. Add to that the ACC's impressive bowl season and it feels like this is Wlad Klitschko vs Vitali.

Best team Saban has faced at Alabama

Re: Best team Saban has faced at Alabama

IMHO it was our 2015 team who lost on poor special teams

Re: IMHO it was our 2015 team who lost on poor special teams

Re: IMHO it was our 2015 team who lost on poor special teams

AND our leading receiver was out

Re: Best team Saban has faced at Alabama

I just hope the refs won't let Alabama target w/ late hits***

Aw, they's just good ol' boys trying to "rattle" the QB a bit.

Re: Best team Saban has faced at Alabama

I hope our terrible punts don't cost us.

Re: I hope our terrible punts don't cost us.

We are not an NFL team last time I checked***

Thanks for the kind words.

Re: Thanks for the kind words.

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