Analysis: Clemson must learn from last season's mistakes to take title rematch

For the first time, college football will have a rematch for the national championship game.

Clemson and Alabama meet again on college football’s biggest stage, with the Tigers looking to accomplish what they couldn’t last season against a dominating Crimson Tide squad that has won all but one of its games by double digits.

For Clemson to win its first national championship since 1981, the key comes from learning from last season’s mistakes.

The Tigers took a 24-21 lead into the fourth quarter last year, however, Alabama was able to match Clemson blow for blow with 24 points in the final quarter to pull away for the 45-40 victory.

The two biggest takeaways from last season’s title game were the Tigers’ inability to stop the Crimson Tide from making big plays offensively, and breakdowns by Clemson on special teams.

This time around, the Tigers’ defense, especially its vaunted defensive line, is ready to go. They will be facing a quarterback in Jalen Hurts who has risen to every challenge he faced this season. At the same time, he wasn’t much of a factor in Alabama’s win over Washington in the Peach Bowl, as Hurts threw 14 passes for 57 yards.

A part of that concerned the Crimson Tide’s ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. Alabama finished with 269 rushing yards, averaging over five yards a carry. The Tigers know the Crimson Tide want to establish dominance up front, then use Hurts to open up the field.

In many regards, Clemson’s defensive line can determine the outcome of this contest. The Tigers have been explosive, as they registered 11 tackles for a loss in their dominating shutout win over Ohio State. That demonstration alone should serve notice they pose a serious threat to Alabama’s rushing attack.

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is the best at what he does.

Expect him to disguise different looks and blitz schemes to try and befuddle the young Crimson Tide quarterback and test just how good Alabama’s offensive line is.

If the Tigers can shut down the Crimson Tide rushing attack can Hurts win by throwing all over the field?

An even better question is how well will Hurts handle the pressure if he has defenders in his face all evening?

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how Alabama game plans for Clemson’s defense. Last year, the Crimson Tide found much success through the air, with Jake Coker throwing for 335 yards and a pair of touchdowns. An emphasis for new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is to establish balance early. If they can, it will keep the Tigers’ aggressive defense reacting instead of attacking.

Defense is only part of the equation, though.

In last season’s national title game, Alabama recovered an onside kick which resulted in a touchdown two plays later, returned another kick 95 yards for a score, and Clemson missed a field goal. This was a 17-point turnaround in Alabama’s favor.

Teams cannot do that against the Crimson Tide and expect to win.

Clemson stayed close in spite of this.

However, the Tigers know to win this time, coverage has to be airtight on returns. It seems they have learned this lesson too, as their kickoff and punt teams haven’t given up a touchdown all season. They must replicate this Monday.

The Tigers’ full throttle defense has to come up big this time around if they are ready to join the championship ranks. Given what they did to Ohio State, it seems they are on their way, but Alabama is a different animal. Clemson knows this. The Tigers know it will take close to perfection to win, and they possess the talent to deliver it.