Clemson arrived in New Orleans this week without the offensive playmaker who made the biggest impact in past College Football Playoff games against Alabama, that being quarterback Deshaun Watson, now gone to the NFL as the No. 12 overall pick by the Houston Texans.
But what the Tigers have coming into Monday's national semifinal that stands to offer the strongest link to last season's national title win is an experienced defensive front that includes three linemen who earned first-team All-America honors.
With junior Christian Wilkins and sophomore Dexter Lawrence playing side by side, Clemson has 640 pounds of muscle in the middle of its defensive line, which is bookended by a pair of heralded pass rushers in sophomore Clelin Ferrell and junior Austin Bryant.