During the build to next week's Sugar Bowl matchup between No. 1 Clemson and No. 4 Alabama, you will hear people describe these two teams as "mirror images." Those people are absolutely correct in terms of statistics.
In fact, it would be difficult to match up two teams more similar in terms of total figures both offensively and defensively. Alabama is about 20 yards better against the run, giving up 94 yards per game to Clemson's 113 on the ground, but considering Clemson gave up about 200 and 150 yards, respectively, to run-heavy Georgia Tech and Citadel, that difference hardly matters.
Offensively, neither team is among the nation's elite, but they're respectable. Alabama racks up 465 yards per game, leaning slightly toward the run, while Clemson averages 448 yards per game, leaning more toward the pass.
While the result was different, they even had similar stats against common opponent Auburn. Clemson got 281 yards - 185 through the air - and scored 14 points in a win, while Bama got 314 yards - 211 on the ground - and scored 14 points in a loss.
The two teams also had a common opponent in Florida State, of course, but with Bama facing the Seminoles mostly before Deondre Francois got hurt, that game is hard to compare. That's also why I chose not to analyze the teams' defensive performance against Auburn, since Kerryon Johnson didn't play against Clemson and played a huge role against Alabama.
Further, I think we know what these teams are going to do defensively. Both are stifling with a loaded defensive front and are known to have incredibly well-coached units on that side of the ball.
So how have these teams done against other ranked opponents, besides Auburn?
Clemson has three other wins against teams ranked in the final playoff poll - Miami, Virginia Tech and NC State. Miami was their highest ranked win of that trio, with the Tigers winning 38-3 in an impressive ACC Championship Game performance against a Miami defense that gave up less than 20 points per game this year. Virginia Tech was a similar story, with the Tigers winning 31-17 against a Hokie defense that gave up 13.5 points per game this season. NC State gave the Tigers some trouble, but Clemson still managed to win 38-31.
Alabama beat LSU - which averaged surrendering 18.8 points per game this year - by a score of 24-10. They also managed to hold off Mississippi State by a score of 31-24 in a game that the Bulldogs, who gave up 20.4 points per game this year, coughed up a chance to win with late mistakes.
The biggest key, though, might be a freshman - Clemson running back Travis Etienne. With the Tigers still figuring out their offensive identity, Etienne didn't play against Auburn. Later in the year, he emerged as the team's top rusher with 744 yards and 13 touchdowns on 103 carries and showed blistering speed.
Adding that burst into Clemson's stable of backs, particularly against a Bama defense that has been hobbled at the linebacker position, will be huge for the Tigers. If Clemson can avoid mistakes, I expect Etienne and the Tigers to run away a bit late for a 28-13 win.
Click here to find out who I expect Clemson to face in the National Championship Game in Atlanta.
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