Inside the Play: Championship Edition: Clemson’s read-option look and how Alabama will attack it

You have to give Clemson credit: Not many teams could roll with two offensive coordinators for three years and put up the gaudy numbers that Tony Elliot/Jeff Scott’s offenses have. Part of that is personnel, to be sure. But, a lot of the success is execution.

Whereas Alabama’s spread offense includes read option and zone read looks, Hurts’ physical running style allows the Tide to use more QB power reads and QB counter. Clemson, on the other hand, uses much more of a traditional read-option look, sometimes including a true pitch man on the double option. It is a simple play that the Tigers execute very well. When the running game is in synch, Clemson’s RPOs and Watson’s vertical passing out of play action become even more lethal.

Here’s a look at the read-option that makes the Tigers’ running game hum, and then how Alabama diagnosed and attacked similar concepts in its matchup against Texas A&M.

Finally, our special thanks to Kyle Morris for interrupting his holiday, and taking time away from his family, to review and break down film for you ingrates all of us.

Without further ado, here is Coach Kyle. Roll Tide.