Christian Wilkins isn’t buying it.

As much as he and his Clemson teammates want to feel like they are the underdog because No. 4 Alabama is a slight favorite to beat them in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, he knows the Crimson Tide will be motivated to play as well.

After all, it was Clemson that prevented them from winning the national championship last year, and it’s Clemson that has the No. 1 sitting in front of its name this year. He also said the fact they had to politic to get into the College Football Playoff will serve as extra motivation.

“It gives them a little bit more motivation to try and knock us off, obviously,” the Tigers’ defensive tackle said on Wednesday. “Because of the national championship, I’m sure they are really excited to play us and they will be ready for us.”

However, Wilkins says if the Tigers (12-1) prepare the way he feels they will then things will go in their favor, too.

“We know that they are a good team,” he said. “We know that they are a model program. I know they are going to be amped up to play us too, so it is going to be one of those situations where it is like, ‘Come on let’s bring it.’”

Wilkins says he has already watched a little bit of film on Alabama and he is excited to play them for a third straight season.

“They are impressive and everything and you knew at some point, at this point in the season, you have to play really good teams no matter what. That’s just what it is,” he said. “They have a lot of respect. They have done it for so long. Other programs are working towards that and are trying to be that. They have been the model since I have been watching college football which is as long as I can remember.”

The goals for the Tigers … just come prepared and play well.

“You know you have to play well because they are a really good team,” Wilkins said. “You cannot have too many mess ups or too many slip ups. You have to be on point and just play well.”