Alabama’s No. 1-ranked defense is an intimidating bunch, and it uses that intimidation factor to get a leg up on the opposition. Clemson, though, isn’t shying away from the challenge of facing the physical and imposing unit.

All Clemson has to do to inspire confidence that it can have success against Alabama’s defense is turn on the film of last season’s national championship game, when the Tigers racked up 40 points, 550 yards and 31 first downs.

“If you go back and you look at it, our guys, they stepped up to the challenge, so they have confidence that they can play with these guys,” Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said during Wednesday’s Media Day at Clemson. “The focus of our program has always been to be the best, and best is the standard, and we also understand that in order to be the best you have to beat the best.”

Statistically, Alabama’s defense is the nation’s best in nearly every major statistical category.

Anchored by senior defensive end Jonathan Allen and senior linebacker Reuben Foster, Alabama enters the contest No. 1 in scoring defense (11.4 points per game), No. 1 in rushing defense (62 yards per game), No. 1 in total defense (244 yards per game), No. 1 in opponent first downs (13.3 per game), No. 2 in sacks (50), No. 5 in tackles for loss (112) and No. 8 in turnovers forced (27).

 Elliott believes Alabama’s level of preparedness is what makes it special.

“What I see about this year’s team is the level of communication,” Elliott said. “They’re all on the same page, they’re not out of position, and that’s a credit to their coaching staff and having those guys ready to play.”

Elliott also sees a similarity between the defense and Clemson’s offense in terms of the pride both groups take in their performance.

 “They’re a lot like us on offense. We’re having fun when we’re out there playing fast and making big plays,” Elliott said. “It looks like they’ve taken a lot of pride in creating turnovers and scoring on defense. They’re out there with a mission. They’re not just trying to stop the offenses that they’re playing. They’re trying to create a turnover and go score themselves.”

More than anything, the tape of last year’s title game against Alabama serves as a confidence-building reminder of what Clemson is capable of.

Other than that, because Alabama is led by a first-year defensive coordinator in Jeremy Pruitt, Clemson isn’t really looking at last year’s game as it prepares to face the Crimson Tide this time.

“We have to approach it almost as if we didn’t play those guys last year because there is a difference in philosophy and some of the things that they’re doing on defense,” Elliott said. “But we do reference back to the game last year, just to give us confidence and confirmation that our guys are going to be ready to play physically.”

Alabama’s defense has the type of swagger that can put a scare into the opponent.

But so does Clemson’s high-powered offense, which won’t lack for confidence against the Crimson Tide.

“We’ve tried to create that identity offensively, as well, that when we walk into the arena we’re up by seven points, just with that intimidation factor,” Elliott said. “There’s a tremendous amount of respect on both sides. When you cut on the tape, you see how good they are.

“But they’ve been in this environment, they’ve played against these guys, and so they’re looking forward to the challenge.”