PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Alabama’s defense is good. No one is going to debate that. The Crimson Tide leads the nation in rushing defense and scoring defense as well as in several other statistical categories. Opponents are averaging just 2.3 yards per carry.
It’s a championship caliber defense, there is no doubting it. But Alabama isn’t the only good defensive football team playing in Monday’s National Championship Game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Clemson, who will play the Crimson Tide at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, rank sixth in total defense, ninth in passing defense and 16th in scoring defense. The Tigers also lead the nation in tackles for loss and are ranked fourth in sacks.
Despite all of those impressive numbers, especially from a unit that replaced nine starters from last year’s No. 1 ranked defense, few people are talking about them. The talk heading into this National Championship Game has been all about Alabama’s defense.
“We don’t care. We know the type of defense we are and we know the type of type of talent we have on defense,” Clemson safety T.J. Green said. “I think they know, but they just don’t give us any credit or the credit we deserve.”
After surviving a 10-week stretch to close the regular season, which stretched the depth and health of a defense that lacked experience behind its starters, Clemson got a much needed break prior to last week’s dominating performance over No. 4 Oklahoma and its high flying offense.
After Oklahoma went seven straight weeks of putting up 500 or more yards on its opponents, including an average of 300 yards a game on the ground, the Tigers stoned the Sooners in the Orange Bowl.
The defense appeared fresher. They were faster and they were flying to the football like they did earlier in the season.
Clemson (14-0) held Oklahoma to 378 total yards, including just 67 yards on the ground. They sacked quarterback Baker Mayfield five times. The Sooners totaled just 121 total yards in the second half and did not score.
There is an argument Clemson’s performance against the Sooners was more impressive and dominant than what Alabama did to Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.
So why is no one talking about Clemson’s defense?
“It has been like that the whole year,” defensive tackle Carlos Watkins said. “But we like it. It puts a chip on our shoulder. He leads us to compete and go get at it.”
Cornerback Cordrea Tankersley says they respect Alabama. He was very complementary of the Crimson Tide, “I mean Alabama is the greatest team ever. They have done a lot for college football and you have to respect them. We know what talent we have, but it really does not matter (what people think) as long as we go out and win the ball game.”
Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables likes that his unit has a quiet confidence about them as well as having a sense of humility. They know Alabama will give them their best because they have good coaches and players, too.
But will Alabama be as chippie?
“I like the edge and the chip, and I like to be doubted, and I think our guys do as well,” Venables said.