TAMPA, Fla. — Clemson linebacker Kendall Joseph expects to still be feeling the effects of the national championship game against Alabama a week or so after its conclusion on Monday night.

After watching film, Joseph knows how physical Alabama is. He also knows how intense a game of this magnitude is, having experienced Clemson’s title game against Alabama as a redshirt freshman a year ago.

“It’s going to be a physical game,” Joseph said this week. “I’m definitely going to feel it for about a week after the game. This is going to be one for the ages, I think. We’re going to really have to give our bodies up to win this game.”

Alabama’s offense, which is 14th nationally in scoring at 39.4 points per game, relies heavily on the running game for its productivity. The Crimson Tide rank 81st in passing offense at 214.2 yards per game, but are 11th nationally with 246.7 rushing yards per game.

So, the onus for Clemson’s defense entering the game is on stopping the run. The Tigers have been strong in that area this season, having allowed 123.1 rushing yards per game (19th nationally).

“No matter what team you’re playing — you could be playing Texas Tech — you’ve got to stop that run,” Joseph said. “So, for us that’s the mentality. That’s how you play defense, so this game is definitely going to be won in the trenches I believe.”

Joseph knows that is easier said than done against Alabama, which prides itself on outmuscling the opponent and has done so en route to three national titles in the last five years.

“They definitely are physical,” Joseph said. “They have all the big-time players. They’re really physical, big-time talent and just a really athletic line. They can get moving really well from side to side. We’ve definitely seen that talent on tape.”

After playing a reserve role at linebacker last season, and serving in a special-teams capacity during last season’s national championship game, Joseph is ready to start on Monday night and put forth all of the effort he can to help Clemson accomplish its final goal.

“It killed me not to play more last year, but everything happens for a reason, and I’m excited,” Joseph said. “I can’t wait. This year’s been great. It flew by really, and to play in the national championship two years in a row, that’s not something you take for granted because it’s hard to do.”

With just one game remaining and everything at stake for both Clemson and Alabama, Joseph and the Tigers are prepared to expend every bit of energy they have on Monday night.

“Lay it all on the line. You’ve got nothing to save,” Joseph said. “You should have the tank emptied by the time the game’s done, and then you’d be satisfied by the results either way. So, that’s the mentality, man. Don’t save anything. Let it all out for your teammates, and then just see what happens.”