ALABAMA 14, Clemson 7

PRE-GAME

  • The line closed with Alabama being a 6½-point favorite over Clemson—the fewest points the Crimson Tide has been favored by in 15 games, or since favored by 6 points over Clemson in last year’s National Championship Game.
  • Dating back to 1905, Alabama has defeated Clemson 13 consecutive times, and by an average scoring margin of more than 26 points.

OFFENSE

  • Bo Scarbrough’s 25-yard TD run midway through the first quarter, giving Alabama a 7-0 lead, was only the eighth time in 15 games the Tide scored first against its opponents this season, and the first time in five contests since versus Miss. State.
  • In his first six games of this season, Bo Scarbrough rushed 38 times for 164 yards (4.3 avg.). After gaining 76 yards on 12 carries the first half versus Clemson, Scarbrough has gained 631 yards on 83 rushes his last six-and-a-half games (7.6 avg.).

DEFENSE /SPECIAL TEAMS

  • Alabama shutout Clemson in the first quarter. The Tigers had scored points in the first quarter for nine consecutive games, averaging more than 14 points per quarter.
  • After Deshaun Watson completed 7 of his first 11 passes for only 37 yards, the Clemson quarterback completed just half of his next 12 pass attempts, but for 116 yards.
  • The team’s punters—Alabama’s JK Scott and Clemson’s Andy Teasdall—each punted five times in the first half, although Scott averaged nearly 10 more yards per attempt (47.4-37.8).