With the loss of superstar quarterback, Deshaun Watson, to the NFL, few believed that Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers would be able to continue their dominance of the last few years. Despite the machine Nick Saban has built in Tuscaloosa, many felt the Alabama defense would struggle with most of last year’s defense now suiting up on Sundays. Many were wrong.
Junior quarterback, Kelly Bryant, has been just fine through five games. He has thrown for over 1000 yards and three scores while adding another 362 yards and seven scores on the ground. Bryant has looked solid from the pocket and even more elusive than Watson when scrambling.
As for Alabama’s defense, they, too, have been just fine. They are sixth overall in total defense and first overall in total points allowed (just 43 points through five games). They completely shut out a rolling Vanderbilt offense in Nashville then turned around to allow Ole Miss just a field goal in Bryant Denny. While the Tide may not have their usual lineup of superstars on the defensive line, they remain as solid as ever.
Both teams enter Week 6 with 5-0 records and a whole lot of steam. Clemson’s defense may be the best in the country and Alabama’s offense has been the best ever under Nick Saban and are coming off a Saban-era high of 66 points against the Rebels. The Tigers have already taken care of their fair share of ranked squads including Louisville and Virginia Tech, both of which they beat handily. Alabama stuffed the third-ranked Florida State Seminoles in Week 1 and hasn’t looked back since.
Both teams have seven games and a possible conference championship remaining so things can change, but there is no denying how good the two top-ranked squads have looked thus far. As the season unfolds, it appears more and more likely Alabama will get a shot at revenge, Swinney will get a chance to claim dominance over his alumni, and that the fans will get part three to what has been a fantastic series.
