TUSCALOOSA — In an Alabama-Clemson game that features playmakers on both sides of the ball, the outcome may hinge on the third-down conversion.

Keeping Clemson’s defense on the field, pounding away with a veteran offensive line and resting a thin defense are priorities for the Crimson Tide.

“That’s a big down this year for us,” left guard Mike Johnson said. “It’s time to go. It’s been criticized in the past and I understand that.
But we’re kind of putting that on our own shoulders this year.”

Third-and-3, third-and-2 conversions will help answer head coach Nick Saban’s call to establish an identity.

“The big thing is that we’re going to find out a lot of about who we are,” Saban said. “You know, the identity of our team.”
Johnson said the identity will come with results, not the other way around.

“We start the game saying this is what we gotta do to win,” Johnson said. “When the wins start coming and the yards start coming, that’s when the identity is going to come. If we do what we do, the whole team will set an identity itself.”

And short-yardage situations is a quick way to get that done.

“That is definitely crucial,” running back Glen Coffee said. “It not only keeps the offense on the field, but it gives the defense more rest.
So third-and-2 is just as important as a 50-yard gain when it comes down to it. So, we definitely have to keep that base and keep that firm, getting that short yardage gains.”

Alabama struggled to convert those third-and-short opportunities late last season. Suspensions and injuries took their toll along the offensive line, and nagging injuries affected the backs.

Both units have healed. Going into Saturday night’s 7 p.m. opener on ABC, Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said he knows what to expect from the offensive line.

“Those guys can be strong. The last thing I’m worried about is anything coming through the offensive line,” Wilson said. “They’ve been playing together. Practice has been going great. They’ll definitely be the strong point of our offense.”

Coffee said, “I’m read glad that we have a line that works hard — as hard as we do.”

Getting those key conversions against Clemson will be a team effort, Johnson said.

“We’ve talked to the H-backs, tight ends,” he said. “We’ve got to make that push right then when we need it.”

Tight end Nick Walker of Brundidge wouldn’t mind taking matters into his own hands on third down.

“I hope I’m getting the ball then,” he said of a third-and-3 situation. “But it’s crucial. We’re gonna keep the chains moving. We’ve got a lot of athletes on the field that can do a lot of different things. JP, he’s been doing great job, been getting the ball to the right people. It’s crucial, but it’s going to happen.”

Two all-star candidates on the Clemson defensive front — defensive end Ricky Sapp and defensive tackle Dorell Scott — will be a challenge. Third-and-short becomes bigger when a Clemson offense is waiting to get on the field.

“We need to make sure we get those key first downs because we know what kind of offense they have,” senior center Antoine Caldwell said. “They have big-play potential over there and the best defense is a good offense, especially in this game.”

Caldwell said he’s been watching Clemson film since April.

“Their speed, not only on offense but defense, stands out,” he said. “Every time I watch film I realize another guy stands out.“

Andre Smith, Alabama’s All-SEC left tackle, could face an intriguing head-to-head matchup against touted Clemson freshman Da’Quan Bowers, a 6-5, 265-pounder.

Smith wanted no part of supplying bulletin-board material.

“He was a great high school athlete. He did really well in the spring game,” Smith said. “He has a spring under his belt, so therefore he has college experience now. He’s going against a great offensive line (in practice) at Clemson. I’m not going to boast or brag. I’m just going to go out there and have fun, do what I’m supposed to do.”