The Tigers and Sooners find themselves in a rematch from last year’s bowl season. Clemson handed Oklahoma an embarrassing 40-6 loss last year but the stakes are much, much, higher this year and Oklahoma is a different team. If you expect this game to go like last year, you will be disappointed. This will be a very close battle.
Clemson’s Offense vs Oklahoma’s Defense
The Sooner defense has shown much improvement this year. They have NFL caliber talent and are fully capable of slowing the Tiger offense. DE Charles Tapper, LB Erik Striker, and CB Erik Sanchez are some of the most talented defensive players in the country. Both Striker and Tapper have been able to consistently get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Sanchez is a top notch defensive back.
Clemson is fully capable of exposing Oklahoma. The Sooners have been susceptible to allowing the deep pass and Deshaun Watson is very good at throwing deep. Also, good running quarterbacks have hurt OU. He should be able to run and the Tigers will mix it up with short and deep balls. Oklahoma has also suffered against the runs up the middle. Wayne Gallman will be eager to get plenty of opportunities after seeing the film of the Sooner D. Even though Clemson can expose these weaknesses, the Sooner D can still make enough plays to give them a chance to win. Committing turnovers can’t happen even if they can move the football.
Oklahoma’s Offense vs Clemson’s Defense
The Sooner offense is full of playmakers. Their offense starts with QB Baker Mayfield. He is a good passer having thrown 35 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions on the season. His favorite target is WR Sterling Shepard. Shepard is among the best receivers in the country. Running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon make up the best running back tandem in the nation. Combine them with Mayfield’s ability to run and you get a rushing attack that is very difficult to stop.
While the Sooners are very talented on offense, the Tigers are fully capable of slowing them down. Shaq Lawson and the D-line will need to get pressure on Mayfield a lot. Lawson will also need to be big in run defense. Also, Mackensie Alexander will be matched up with Shepard after shutting him down last season. Shepard will try to prove that it was a fluke the way Alexander shut him down. Taking him out of the game will make it extremely difficult for OU. The overall talent of the Clemson secondary will be huge help in slowing the Sooners. Even though Mayfield doesn’t have many interceptions, he throws into tight coverage often and the Tigers can take advantage of that if they play well in coverage.
Special Teams
This game could come down to field goals and field position. Clemson has the advantage at kicker with Greg Heugel hitting 90% of his field goals. Oklahoma has the better punter in Austin Seibert which could help with field position. Both teams have not been impressive in the return game. Clemson has been weak in return coverage so this could be a game where the Oklahoma return game could be better.
X-Factor
Turnovers margin will be the x-factor. Losing the turnover battle won’t necessarily lead to a loss but a -2 in turnover margin will be nearly impossible to overcome. Oklahoma is +10 in turnover margin this year while Clemson is -2. These to offenses have been extremely good when their defenses force turnovers and with short fields they are nearly impossible to stop.
Prediction
This game has the makings of a back and forth battle. Many feel that the 2 best quarterbacks in the country will be on the field in Miami. The deciding factor could be whether it’s Watson or Mayfield that makes the most plays for his team. If Mackensie Alexander is able to shut down Sterling Shepard Mayfield will find life difficult. The Tigers should be able to make a few more plays and advance to the National Championship Game. Clemson wins 37-34.