Starting left tackle Cam Robinson stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 326 pounds. Right tackle Dominick Jackson is 6-foot-6 and weighs 315. At center, Ryan Kelly is 6-foot-5 and weighs 297, while left guard Ross Pierschbacher is 6-foot-4 and comes in at 298 pounds. Then there is right guard Alphonse Taylor, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 325 pounds.

That is Alabama’s starting offensive line. When you throw in a 6-foot-3, 242-pound running back that can carry the ball 30-40 times a game like Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, it is easy to see why a defense can wear down over the course of four quarters.

“We have seen it happen a number of times this year. Those close games, initially, they wear people out,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “They are pretty methodical in their approach.”

The Crimson Tide’s approach begins and ends with Henry. The All-American has rushed for 2,061 yards and scored 25 touchdowns this season. Though it is not too far off, Henry averages more yards per carry in the second half than he does in the first half.

“If you keep giving the ball to a guy like that, he is bound to find a crease or a hole and break some tackles,” Venables said. “It has been a formula that has worked awfully well for them and hopefully we can hold up.”

Popular wisdom says the Tigers, who will play Alabama in the desert for the National Championship on Monday night in Glendale, Ariz., are built to take on Alabama’s hardnosed physical running game. Clemson has held its own against some other similar offensive lines this year such as Notre Dame’s and Florida State’s to name a few.

“They are similar to some of the best offensive lines we have seen since we have been here,” Venables said. “Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame. I’m confident in what we do. But I also value and respect the challenge each week presents. Some are bigger challenges and different challenges than others.”

Alabama might be both.

“We have to bring our A game, but I have seen us on many occasions bring it when we had to. This will be another one of those times when we have to bring it,” Venables said.

Alabama has other weapons to beat you in a numbers of ways. Of course there is Henry and the offensive line, but quarterback Jake Coker is proving why the Crimson Tide can win with his arm. He completed 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards in Alabama’s 38-0 win over Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.

Then there is wide receiver Calvin Riddley, tight end O.J. Howard, reserve running back Kenyan Drake and wide receiver ArDarius Stewart.

“They have excellent skill. There is not a better freshman in the country than Calvin Ridley,” Venables said.

Ridley leads the team with 83 receptions for 1,031 yards and seven touchdowns. He has a long of 81 yards. Howard has 33 catches for 394 yards, while Drake has caught 27 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown. He is also averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

“I think Alabama showed they have a number of ways to beat you. If you are going to take this thing away, then they’re are going to beat you in other ways. They have plenty of other players and plenty of other playmakers,” Venables said.

Venables remembers Coker when he was a backup at Florida State. He says he has skill and he can run around. The Clemson coach said Coker has a strong arm and when given the opportunity has made plays for his team this year.

“He has done it this year in a number of close games. When he has had to make plays, and they have given him the opportunity, he has done that,” he said. “A number of times on third down, on third-and-15, they will run the zone and run the lead because they have a good defense and a really good kicking game and they don’t want to make mistakes that way, but when he has been given the opportunity, he has showed up a bunch.”

What makes things even tougher is the fact Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson is questionable after injuring his left knee in the Tigers’ win over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.

“We just have to line up and play. We have to do what we do. There is nothing we can do. It will not change anything,” Venables aid. “You have to set the edge. These boys are going to challenge you. Cam Robinson … Oklahoma had freshmen tackles. We knew going into the game we had an advantage there. You can’t say that on paper here.”