By Jim Johnson
SouthernPigskin.com

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Who will have the advantage behind center in the National Championship?

Jake Coker will enter the National Championship fresh off the best game of his collegiate career, and maybe even his life. Over the course of the season, the senior signal caller completed 67.1% of his 368 pass attempts for 2,775 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, with a passer rating of 143.15. Coker has developed a reputation as a warrior, playing through pain on more than one occasion, and a capable leader, effective at rallying the troops in times of crisis. Coker is not much of a running threat, but he has a gutsy pocket presence and is willing to hang in there and take a shot, if thats what it takes. While not an elite talent, Alabama has a true gamer under center.

Deshaun Watson, in my eyes, is the best quarterback in college football, and probably the most valuable player. In his 14 games this year, he threw for 3,699 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 picks, while completing 68.2% of his 444 attempts, for a passer rating of 155.85. He was also the Tigers second leading rusher, toting the rock 187 times for 1,032 yards and another 12 scores. He is a quintessential dual-threat, with many of his carries coming on designed runs, but can also tuck it scramble, when necessary. He has all the tools that make a traditionally great quarterback, vision, poise, accuracy, but adds a whole other dimension with his athleticism.

Coker is an adequate quarterback that has benefited from having the Heisman Trophy winner lined up behind him, as well as the emergence of Calvin Ridley, however he is nowhere near the player that Deshaun Watson is. Fortunately for Alabama, the Tides offense doesnt depend nearly as much on Coker as Clemsons does on Watson. Anyway, Clemson has the clear edge over Alabama at QB.

Advantage: Clemson