TAMPA, Fla. -- The Clemson Tigers stepped in front of hundreds of microphones and cameras on Saturday to discuss their College Football Playoff National Championship rematch against Alabama. It's game No. 15, so the storylines are waning for the Tigers, but since the much-awaited, highly-anticipated and historic -- this is first title game rematch of the BCS or CFP era -- game is finally around the corner, Clemson now feels the freedom to discuss Alabama, a team the Tigers look up to and one that has been on their minds for a full year.
"They're the standard. That's where we want to be," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said, not knowing that just moments later and only feet away from him linebacker Ben Boulware would echo sentiment.
"They're the standard in college football. They're the best. They're a dynasty," said Boulware. "We want to take that role."
Added defensive lineman Carlos Watkins: "They're the best. They've earned the right to be called the best in college football. In order to be the best, we've got to beat the best."
The defensive front is a great place to draw parallels between these Alabama and Clemson, because over the last two seasons, no one in college football has been better. Both teams do a great job of creating mismatches with their schemes, winning one-on-one battles, disrupting the rhythm of opposing quarterbacks and turning up the pressure on third down. There's more than 60 Power Five conference teams trying to recruit and develop the next group of future NFL defenders, yet when it comes to the front seven, it seems like they're all suiting up for one of these two title hopefuls.
Watkins, a fifth-year senior from Mooresboro, North Carolina, has seen and played a huge role in Clemson's rise. Its dominance up front is powered by size, athleticism and the kind of depth that has allowed the group to maintain its high level of play while having five players selected in the last two NFL Drafts combined. Watkins saw things start to change from a recruiting perspective when Stephone Anthony (another Tar Heel State prospect) and his recruiting class helped "turn things around" and capture an ACC title in 2011. He jumped on board, saw some early action as a rotation player on the defensive line that included a few of those future pros.
"When I first got in, we had Grady Jarrett, DeShawn Williams, guys who work hard, just nasty guys up front. Really set the tone for me," said Watkins. "I'm trying to do that for Dexter [Lawrence], Nyles [Pinckney], Jabril [Robinson], Albert [Huggins], all those guys."
In September 2013, after just three games, Watkins' season was ended due to injuries suffered in a fatal car crash. Cut from out of the wreckage and pulled from the trunk, Watkins is now able to calmly relive that moment at the podium just days before the biggest game of his career.
"I think about it all the time," Watkins said about the accident. "I just thank God. Riding in the car thinking about it, all the time, because I wouldn't be here without him. I've got a story to tell, I may have suffered a lot from that but it's a blessing to be here now."
Once the physical rehabilitation was done, Watkins had to work through the mental challenge of rebuilding his game on the field, overcoming fears that he might not be able to recapture his previous form. With patience and support from his coaches and teammates, Watkins has continued to get reps in the deep and talented defensive line rotation. There were flashes of superstardom in 2014 and 2015, but this season he's broken out as an All-ACC player that will have a chance to join the growing Clemson contingent in the NFL.
But it's not quite time to talk about that just yet.
Now facing "the opportunity of a lifetime," Watkins says this year's team has a better mentality going into the game against Alabama. NFL concerns have been put to the side and the entire roster is keyed in for a stronger finish.
Alabama's Nick Saban and Clemson's Dabo Swinney preach the mental aspect of the game to their players, knowing that it can be the edge in a physical 22-man game involving nearly even talent, size and athleticism.
Hearing Watkins discuss keeping the NFL talk until after the game is reminiscent of Alabama's draft-eligible players choosing not to get their grades until after last year's title game. It was a page turned from 2014 for the Tide, and now Clemson has its own NFL Draft-related talking points following a disappointing CFP loss. The playoff routine is still new, and everyone is trying to figure it out.
Alabama might be one step ahead with three playoff appearances and now one win away from two titles, but Clemson is close. The Tigers talk openly about busted coverages and self-inflicted setbacks from their play on the field that contributed to last year's 45-40 loss.
The memory of the confetti falling after the defeat, the first and only loss of the 2015 season for Clemson, has lingered since that January evening one season ago. Swinney and his staff have kept the players focused on the task at hand, all while the stinging memory of what could have been has bubbled below the surface.
Veterans like Watkins, Cordrea Tankersly and Jardar Johnson are shining examples of what can happen when a standard of excellence is established and players continue to develop during their time with a program. NFL picks leave every year, but there is no drop-off. It's the Alabama way, after all.
But this Clemson team is loose, calm and ready for a shot at redemption. It will have its chance to replace Alabama as the top team in college football.
After all, the Tigers been on par with the Tide since the 2011 season that Watkins cited -- all they're missing is the jewelry.
