As we approach the final weeks of the season, it seems inevitable that we’re heading toward Alabama vs. Clemson IV in the College Football Playoff.

Alabama rallied to win its first CFP title in 2015 and Clemson returned the favor behind quarterback Deshaun Watson in a thrilling contest in 2016.

Last season, Alabama won Round 3 in the semifinal, but so much has changed since then.

Alabama’s starting quarterback in that game, Jalen Hurts, is now a situational backup who occasionally moonlights at an offensive skill position.

Clemson’s starter in that game, Kelly Bryant, left the program weeks ago and is on the transfer market with both SEC and ACC teams interested.

Although the previous three Alabama-Clemson clashes were highly regarded, a 2018 version would probably take the cake. For starters, both teams likely would be undefeated, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, and both teams are absolutely dominating their competition.

We know what Alabama is doing. You can read about it on this site here, here, here, here and here. But what about Clemson? Is Clemson the team with the best chance at beating Alabama. Moreover is this Dabo Swinney’s best Clemson team ever?

It’s a valid question and one worth looking into.

3 reasons Clemson’s 2018 team is better than 2016

This is their deepest, most talented roster

The 2015 and 2016 Clemson teams were excellent, but they were led by a once-in-a-decade type talent at quarterback who made everyone a little bit better. Deshaun Watson obviously is gone, but the young defensive line from 2016 is all grown up now. The offensive line is a seasoned, experienced group led by left tackle Mitch Hyatt. The running game is efficient, productive and explosive behind Travis Etienne.

Freshman QB Trevor Lawrence looks every bit like the No. 1 recruit in the country. Some have suggested he’s a better pure passer than Watson. Despite not starting until the fifth game, the numbers are impressive: He’s completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,559 yards with 18 TDs and just 3 interceptions.

His arm is next-level. Lawrence leads the ACC in 40-yard completions (9) and 50-yard completions (6). Those totals exceed or beat Kelly Bryant’s totals (9 and 5) in 14 games last season. That’s why Clemson switched to the true freshman.

Lawrence’s receivers are fast and Tee Higgins looks like he has star potential. Defensively the front seven is arguably the best in college football. The secondary is probably a little untested thanks to the pass rush, but they are a long, athletic group.

They are built to dominate

Clemson has gone through three phases under Swinney since the beginning of the decade. Initially, they were built to compete with Florida State, then the ACC’s reigning king. Then they were built to win ACC titles. Now they are built to play (and beat) Alabama.

Clemson expects to win the ACC now. They have put the idea of “Clemsoning” behind them. The Tigers of 2018 kick butt now and worry about names later. With every 59-10 and 77-16 victory they are sending a message to Alabama that sounds something like, “don’t get yourselves hurt before January 7, 2019 because we don’t want any excuses.”

Experience and maturity

By benching Bryant for Trevor Lawrence, Swinney probably knew that the likelihood of the senior sticking around to mentor the freshman was slim. But he made the move anyway because he knew Clemson couldn’t beat Alabama with Bryant behind center.

Swinney also knew that the rest of the roster was mature enough to understand why the 5-star freshman gave them a better chance to win than the senior captain. It was a risk for sure, especially when Lawrence got hurt in his first start against Syracuse after Bryant left the program. But Clemson survived that day and have thrived ever since.

And now for the other side.

3 Reasons Clemson’s 2018 team is not better than 2016

Lawrence is good, but he’s not Watson

There’s no doubt that Lawrence can sling the rock and seems to have enough leadership skills to be respected by his older teammates. That being said, Watson made everyone better by his mere presence.

He could do anything with the football in his hands and it gave Alabama fits when Watson extended plays with his feet and found open receivers with the additional time. Remember, Watson is the only player to throw for 400 yards twice against Nick Saban.

When Alabama’s pass rush gets close to Lawrence, will he stay tough in the pocket and throw downfield or will he move around and create additional time to make a play?

The ACC is not very good

The 2016 Tigers dealt with some solid tests during the season. They had to eke out a 19-13 win on a road trip to Auburn and beat a Lamar Jackson-led Louisville squad as well as Top 20-ranked teams in Florida State and Virginia Tech before shutting out Ohio State in the semifinal and beating Alabama in the championship game. The 2018 Tigers dealt with a scare against Texas A&M at College Station and a feisty Syracuse squad but not much else. The ACC is down and can’t provide many quality tests for the Tigers to determine what weaknesses (if any) can be exposed in the Playoff.

An untested secondary

I’m just not sold on this group of defensive backs. They are a long, athletic unit for sure. A.J. Terrell looks like the real deal at corner and Tanner Muse is a big, athletic body at the free safety position. But much of this unit’s success comes from the fact that the Tigers have an NFL caliber defensive line. Alabama has better receivers than any team Clemson has faced and Tua Tagovailoa is a better quarterback than any other that Clemson has faced. Will their secondary be ready for the challenge? I’m not certain of it.