CBS Sports asks coaches, experts what Clemson can do to beat Alabama

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Rich Rodriguez, Arizona coach: “A lot of it is easier said than done. Alabama can bring pressure with only four guys, which is kind of nice, and they can cover well. Even though they'll [substitute] guys in, I would still try to go as fast as I could to limit some of their packages and substitutions. Let my skill guys go fast in space. It's hard to win it all without special quarterback play. They've got special quarterback play.”

Rich Rod is a unique person to answer this question, as he coached at Clemson (Tommy Bowden's offensive coordinator in 1999-2000) and –reportedly took the Alabama job briefly before the school settled on Saban in 2007.

“Absolutely loved it, the town, the environment. Football is a big deal [there],” Rodriguez said of Clemson. “It's amazing how small a lot it is. Traffic is one way coming in and one way coming out. If you weren't going to the game you weren't coming out. They were one of the schools -- Florida State being the other -- that had an SEC mentality in the ACC. That's an apt description.”

Mike Leach, Washington State coach:“The fact Alabama has been there before is helpful to them. The fact that Alabama has been there before causes people to assume it's easy and foregone. The one thing that can't be ignored is the most dynamic quarterback in the game is the quarterback for Clemson. They can't be ignored.”

Deshaun Watson is in charge of a spread offense that Leach helped make famous. Clemson set a school record this year scoring more than 500 points.

“You have to have it in your mind, both teams, before you step out on the field you deserve to be there. You don't want to squander a portion of that game [thinking] that you deserve to be there. Then [the opponent has] four quarters to beat you to your three,” he added.

Confidence shouldn't be a problem with Alabama.

“They've kind of turned themselves into the college football version of the New York Yankees. I don't think Clemson is any worse than Alabama. I think it's important mentally for Clemson to have all of that reconciled," he continued.

"Alabama's defensive front is great. Clemson's defensive front is underrated. If you don't believe me, ask the University of Oklahoma. The key to this game -- Alabama is a very patient team. When you play them, the biggest thing is withstand the initial barrage and not give up anything easy early.

“[For Clemson] keep them off balance, give them different looks. The one thing Clemson has done a good job of is get the ball in different people's hands. Derrick Henry, that guy -- worst case scenario -- could fall forward four yards.”

Charles Davis, former Tennessee player, current Fox Sports analyst: “I would not try to run wide versus that Alabama front seven. They're too fast. They run things down. Clemson needs one-cut runners who run with power and get what they can with each run. Straight at them? No. Move them a bit [laterally], then North and South.

“Throwing it? Quick game, get it out of the quarterback's hand fast but you need to stretch them, push them deeper as well. If [the Tide] have no fear and feel they only have to play the game ‘forward,' then Alabama will strangle you. The quarterback run game, use it to occupy then. Use QB power runs and option game, too. Move with dispatch and play at varying tempos … to chip away at their nerves and force Bama's defensive staff to make quicker decisions, maybe stay in base looks. Last, call the game ‘in reverse' at times. Make your throws on first and 10, get into second/third and attainable and take your shots.”

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