TUSCALOOSA — Clemson’s ground game, featuring running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, overshadows a passing attack that gives the ninth-ranked Tigers even more big-play potential.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban said putting some pressure on Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper will be a key when the Tide plays the Tigers Saturday night in the Georgia Dome.

“I think that’s a big question for all of us, is how do we replace the two guys who were probably our best pass rushers a year ago — Wallace (Gilberry) and Zeke (Knight),” Saban said.

“Who’s going to step up and how effective will we be in those areas?”

Saban said creating defensive pressure on Harper is crucial.

“The best way to do it is to rush four guys and cover,” the coach said. “I think if you have good pass rushers, obviously that’s a tremendous advantage because the four guys rushing make the ball come out quickly so you don’t have to cover as long. And you can play more zone when you do that because the ball is going to come out quicker, so you’re going to have less vertical separation when you’re playing zone.”

Senior Bobby Greenwood and juniors Lorenzo Washington and Brandon Deaderick give Saban what he called “three starters” at defensive end. Washington said the emphasis in camp hasn’t been so much on sacking the quarterback, but disrupting him.

“If you try to go for the sack, he might still get the ball off,” Washington said. “It’s about affecting the quarterback. Making him step up in the pocket. Making him roll out. Batting the ball down. That’s more what we’re focused on. If you do that, the sacks are gonna come. Just push the pocket and everybody working together will get more sacks for everybody.”

The three-man front will need help from a linebacker. Brandon Fanney and Cory Reamer are outside and true freshman Don’ta Hightower is inside next to sophomore Rolando McClain. Reamer is a converted free safety. Fanney has moved from defensive end. Only McClain has started a game for Alabama.

“We’re not worried about how much they’ve played,” McClain said. “They’re showing every day in practice they know their role, they know their jobs.

“Fanney’s a straight player. He worked hard. Hopefully get some pass rush on the quarterback. He’s a fast guy. ... Reamer can adapt to any situation. That’s what I love about him. Throw him at safety. throw him at corner. Anything, Reamer will do it.”

Of course, Alabama may not be in its base defense for much of the game.

“Well, they use three wide receivers and four wide receivers a lot,” Saban said.

That means nickel and dime packages. Javier Arenas would move from his cornerback position to the “star,” which moves him inside on a slot receiver. That would put Kareem Jackson and Marquis Johnson at the corners.

Arenas said Clemson’s powerful running game helps the passing game go.

“It makes it very dangerous,” Arenas said. “They know what they’re doing over there, spreading the field out to run the ball.”

Saban said the way Clemson uses its players and the formations and motions it presents are a challenge.

“The multiples of this team are probably as great as anybody that we play,” he said.

Shutting down the running game — with Davis and Spiller — and forcing the Tigers to throw the ball is a priority.

“When they’ve struggled to run the ball and make big plays, that’s when they’ve had the least amount of success offensively,” Saban said.

“Even though they are a very balanced offensive team — and they have a tremendous ability to make big plays throwing the football — the whole synergy of their team seems to center around those guys making great plays.”