Alabama football has a dilemma against Clemson. The Crimson Tide will need to pressure Clemson QB, Trevor Lawrence. Though only a freshman, Lawrence has a big, accurate arm. Couple that with at least three very capable and two very athletic receivers and the Tide can ill afford an un-hurried Lawrence.
Tosh Lupoi can dial up some blitzes, as he did against Oklahoma. But the staple of Nick Saban’s defensive system is getting QB pressure with no more than four pass rushers. The fourth rusher is most often an outside linebacker. If Christian Miller’s injured hamstring keeps him out of the national championship game, the Tide will be minus three outside linebackers.