FORT LAUDERALE, Fla. — Oklahoma linebacker Dominique Alexander understands the obvious difference in the offense when he watches No. 1 Clemson play. It’s quarterback Deshaun Watson. But asking him to speak to what makes the Tigers’ offense run so smooth other than the Heisman Trophy Finalist, he really can’t do it.

“Other than the obvious, it looks way better because of the obvious,” Alexander said on Sunday from the Marriott Renaissance in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Tigers will play No. 4 Oklahoma in the Capital One Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve as part of the College Football Playoffs.

Clemson’s obvious playmaker threw for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, while also running for 887 more yards and 11 more touchdowns. In the last five games of the season, Watson averaged 414 total yards per game and is accounting for at least three touchdowns. He led the ACC in total yards, passing yards, passing completions, touchdown passes and total touchdowns.

“(Watson) can challenge you so well. Other than that, it is pretty much the same,” Alexander said.

The same is Clemson skill players such as Artavis Scott, running back Wayne Gallman, and of course the many different looks co-offensive coordinators Tony Elliott and Jeff Scott like to present to opposing defenses.

“They have big play receivers. Their receivers are stepping up more than last year,” Alexander said. “(Scott) is still a great player. Their tight end is a great player and their running back is a great player. They still have the same counter, options, sweeps, everything … It is still the same, it is just No. 4 is making it look that much better.”

Watson is giving Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops a lot of sleepless nights right now.

“I think he puts stress on you because you have to account for him,” he said. “You can’t every play, but you know that they want to feature him when they need to. When things aren’t going well, that’s the one guy that can make a play for them, and then it stresses your defense even more, and you’re out there single covered.”

And that’s generally when Clemson takes its shots down field.

“They’re going to take their shots. They’re a shot team,” Stoops said. “There are four or five times a game where he’s going to go vertical, and he’s going to give his receiver an opportunity to catch the ball. That’s when you’ve got to be there. There is only so much help in a game like this where guys are stressed, and our corners understand that. You have to know when the shots are coming, and try to get yourself in great position.”

But that’s the thing. Defensive backs don’t always know when the shots are coming. Watson, better than anyone, extends plays with his pocket presence. He isn’t always looking to run, and in most cases he is not. So when things break down in the pocket, it forces defensive backs to have to stay with their receivers an extra four seconds or so which puts a lot of stress on a defense.

“He can create plays. If something isn’t there he can scramble and throw a 40 or 50 yard touchdown,” said Oklahoma cornerback Zach Sanchez. “So we have to cover for eight or nine seconds. That is just something we have to do and something we are prepared to do because we know it can happen at any time. The guys up front have to do a good job of containing him and try to limit those things from happening.”

That’s easier said than done. Watson is a big reason why Clemson allowed just 14 sacks this season and none in the last three games.

“His ability to get the ball down the field accurately and give his receivers opportunities to make plays is really what makes him an outstanding player,” Stoops said. “He’s dynamic running the ball, but he’s a thrower first and foremost. I think he wants to be a thrower, and again, they still run him aggressively, and that’s something we have to account for.”