Clemson vs. Alabama gameday guide: How to watch, key players, more

The Clemson Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Who: Clemson (14-0) vs. Alabama (13-1)

When: Monday, 8:30 p.m.

Where: Glendale, Ariz.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 93.1 FM in Columbia area

Satellite radio: SiriusXM Ch. 80

Series record: Alabama leads 13-3

Line: Alabama by 6 1/2

Record: 13-1, 7-1 SEC

Head Coach: Nick Saban (Kent State ’73)

Saban’s Overall/Years: 190-60-1 (.759) / 20th Season

Saban’s Alabama/Years: 99-18 (.846) / 9th Season

Saban in Bowl Games: 9-8 (.529) / 6-3 (.667) at Alabama

National Ranking: CFP (2); AP (2); Coaches (2)

Bowl Appearances: 63

Bowl Record: 35-24-3 (.589)

Bowl Streak: W1 (Win against Michigan State 38-0 in 2015 Cotton Bowl)

Formations: Offense: Pro Style (Multiple) • Defense: 3-4

Players to watch

RB Derrick Henry (6-3, 242, Jr., Yulee, Fla.)

Winner of the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and SEC Offensive Player of the Year award... Leads the nation with 2,061 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns... Second in the SEC and in the FBS with 147.2 rushing yards per game... Broke both school and conference records in rushing yards... Consensus All-American selection.

LB Reggie Ragland (6-2, 252, Sr., Madison, Ala.)

SEC Defensive Player of the Year and captain of a defense that led the nation in rushing defense, second in total defense and third in scoring defense... Leads Alabama with 97 takcles, including 6.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

OL Ryan Kelly (6-5, 297, Sr., West Chester, Ohio)

Concensus All-American selection, winner of the Rimington Trophy and co-recipient of the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy... Named the 2015 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year... Graded out at an average of 88.4 percent with five games over 90 percent... Led an offense that produced the 2015 Heisman winner in Derrick Henry.

Record: 14-0, 8-0 ACC

Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (Alabama ’93)

Swinney’s Overall/Years: 75-26 (.743) / 7th Season

Swinney’s Clemson/Years: 75-26 (.743) / 7th Season

Swinney in Bowl Games: 5-3 (.625)

National Rankings: CFP (1); AP (1); Coaches (1)

Clemson Bowl Appearances: 38

Clemson Bowl Record: 20-18 (.526)

Clemson Bowl Streak: W4 (Last: Win against Oklahoma 37-417 in 2015 Orange Bowl)

Players to watch

QB Deshaun Watson (6-2, 210, So., Gainesville, Ga.)

Named a Consensus First Team All-American... Earned All-ACC First Team and ACC Player of the Year honors... Leads the ACC in passing yards (3,699), passing touchdowns (31) and passing efficiency (155.9)... Has also rushed for 1,302 yards and 12 scores.

WR Artavis Scott (5-11, 190, So., Clearwater, Fla.)

First Team All-ACC selection for the Tigers that leads the team and is fourth in the conference with 868 receiving yards... Stands first for Clemson and seventh in the ACC with 62.0 receiving yards per game... Reeled in five touchdowns this year... Averages 86.71 all-purpose yards per game.

DB Jayron Kearse (6-5, 220, Jr., Fort Myers, Fla.)

Earned First Team All-American honors from ESPN.com... Totaled 84 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and one interception on the season... Forced and recovered one fumble for the season, while also blocking one kick.

Associated Press

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 9:51 PM with the headline "Clemson vs. Alabama gameday guide: How to watch, key players, more."