Nick Saban shares his strategy for playing defense against Clemson

Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide didn’t have much luck slowing down the Clemson Tigers when the two teams faced each other in last year’s championship game. Even if his Bama squad couldn’t get the job done, Saban thinks he knows how to stop Clemson.

Saban was part of ESPN’s pregame coverage ahead of the championship game between Clemson and LSU. During the pregame show, he offered his thoughts on how to best defend against Clemson.

“I think the most important thing when you play against Clemson is you have to stop the run. And that includes quarterback runs, because there were like 16 called quarterback runs in the Ohio State game, so it’s like you’re defending wildcat every time,” Saban said.

“The issue is you try and play an extra guy in the box and you’re playing middle of the field coverage and you have single coverage outside, they do a great job with the play action passes as well as hitting it down the field.”

Saban’s assessment of Clemson shows exactly what makes them so hard.

“This is very, very difficult when you have a quarterback that can run the ball, throw play action passes to great skill guys outside, as well as a great running back to try and defend in the running game.”

Again, Saban’s focus would be on stopping the run and playing man-to-man coverage outside.

“I think he’s going to see that if you can stop the run, and play their guys man-to-man outside — which is a challenge, which we could not do last year — and control the big plays and don’t let them run, and create some third-down situations where you can pressure the quarterback, I think that’s going to be a key.”

Like Saban said, it’s much easier said than done when you’re talking about facing Clemson. But that would be Saban’s strategy.