QB - Advantage Clemson on raw talent but it's a push in terms of the game.
QB v Def Coord - Pruitt will have a better plan against Watson than Kirby did last year. There are no "wrinkles" Watson can throw at Pruitt that haven't already been shown. But Watson has not seen what Pruitt will have in store for him.

OL - Even, Bama does not have the dominant type of line it did in the past, although it's still very good.
DL - Advantage Bama but Clemson is very good.
OL v DL - When Bama is on offense I believe Clemson will have success early getting a pass rush. Bama will adjust and they'll be fine. Bama will consistently move the ball but will not generate really long drives for TDs. When Clemson is on offense they will not consistently reset the line of scrimmage and will be completely dependent on big plays that occur when Bama is out of position or happens to be in the wrong set (or slips in coverage, as we keep seeing in these games where they construct the turf specifically for that one game and the roots never fully take hold). This will mean Clemson goes 3 and out much more than Bama.

LB - Advantage Bama. Both teams will depend on the LBs making tackles at the LOS. Bama is better here and Bama's LBs are better suited this year to dealing with Watson. But, Clemson has plenty of athleticism to track down Hurts on scrambles and bootlegs. No 40yrd runs for Hurts in this game.

TE & WR - Even. Clemson has more down field threat potential but Bama blocks better. This will be key to Bama's outside running game.

DB - Advantage Clemson. This is one of the two wild cards in the game. If Bama's DBs are too worried about Watson getting loose they may bite on some run looks that turn into passes. If Clemson gets several big plays like this, it will be the difference, should Clemson win.

Special teams - Even. Comes down to mistakes made. Dabo will be extra vigilant this year about special teams prep. I don't expect him to find any vulnerabilities to exploit but I expect him to shore up his own.

Punter - Huge advantage for Bama. This edge in field position will be the difference in Bama being able to go for FGs on stalled possessions.
Place kicking - Even.
FG - Even.

HC - Advantage Saban. I expect Dabo to be very focused on what happened last year as Clemson seems to think last year was a "woulda coulda shoulda they stole it from us" event. It wasn't.

OC v DC - Pruitt is a slight advantage for Bama this year. I expect him to have an overall better plan to contain Watson. Sark is the other wild card in this game. I expect him to give some of that old USC approach with more swing passes, tunnel screens, WR screens, and slants, but will not go deep as he used to with Leinart. A lot more quick hitter plays that have the effect of spreading out Clemson's defense. Because Bama blocks so well on the perimeter, it won't really help Clemson to be leaning wide except to maybe disrupt some slants or limit the yards after catch. It will however help Bama a lot when it chooses to run inside. I think we see Bama having its full playbook available late in the game, while the same won't apply for Clemson.

Overall, I think this is a somewhat low scoring game. Bama moves the ball consistently but settles mostly for FGs. Clemson does not move it consistently but pops a couple big plays to help them score.

I see it 12-10 Bama at the half. It's 20-18 Clemson at end of 3rd quarter as Dabo challenges a no catch for interception as Bama is moving the ball. Clemson gets the ball, momentum, scores. Bama fans will be pissed about 6 FGs and cuss Kiffin and Sark.

But Bama's control of the LOS comes through in the 4th as Clemson wears down a bit, and Saban makes a gutsy decision to go for it on 4th down at the beginning of the 4th quarter, converts, Bama plows in for a TD and Bama goes up 25-20 at the 14 minute mark. Bama fans start to relax. Clemson stalls, plays field position, pins Bama inside its own 10 but Bama steadily goes down field (like shite through a tin horn), scores again to go up 32-20 at the 8 minute mark. Bama fans declare game over, construction begins on new Saban statue, shirts printed proclaiming him best ever.

Bama puts 8 guys into coverage, forces Clemson to dink and dunk down field taking time, but they score easily, and it's 32-27 with 4 minutes left. Dabo has smartly saved his time outs. Bama fans contemplate disaster of an onside recovery or 3 & out and handing the ball to Watson at midfield with 3 minutes left in the game. Construction on statue is halted, shirt orders cancelled.

Clemson kicks it deep and hopes its defense can come up with a stop, but Bama converts a couple 1st downs and Clemson never sees the ball again. Bama fans say they had it in the bag all along.

Immediately after the game, Vol fans declare the Bama dynasty is over and project their margin of victory in next year's game. LSU fans hold hands with Vol fans and join in. Bama fans laugh at them both. We all laugh at Big10 and Ohio St. Harmony.