🏈 GAME THREAD 2016 National Championship Game
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By Gregg Dewalt Senior
5 reasons Clemson will win
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
1 Deshaun Watson: After his performance against Ohio State, many football fans and experts were wondering how the talented Clemson quarterback missed out on winning the Heisman Trophy. That’s a good question. Watson is arguably the best quarterback in the country, and he’s also the type of player that can beat you in a variety of ways. Watson is Clemson’s second-leading rusher with 583 yards and 8 TDs. He’s thrown for 4,173 yards and 38 TDs. He’s the type quarterback that has given Alabama problems in recent seasons, including during last season’s title game in which he torched the Tide’s secondary for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 70 yards on 20 carries.
2 A balanced offense: It’s hard to determine exactly what Dabo Swinney’s offense is going to do. During their 14 games, Clemson has run the ball 550 times and attempted 572 passes. The Tigers have a versatile 1,000-yard back in Wayne Gallman, who is a perfect complement to Watson. Gallman, who didn’t crack 50 yards in last season’s title game, enters tonight’s game with 1,087 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Tigers average 175 yards per game and 327 through the air.
3 Mike Williams: Alabama didn’t get a chance to see Clemson’s talented receiver in last year’s championship game after he sustained a severe neck injury in the season opener. Williams made a complete recovery and had a stellar season, catching 90 passes for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 6-foot-3 frame could give Alabama’s defensive backs trouble, and if the Tide plays too much attention to him it could open room for Artavis Scott to have a big game. Scott finished this season with 73 catches for 608 yards and 5 TDs.
4 Clemson defense: Alabama’s top-ranked defense has deservedly gotten a lot of attention this season, but Clemson’s hasn’t been too shabby in its own right. The Tigers have three shutouts this season and five other times have held opponents to 13 points or less. Swinney’s team allows 17.1 points per game and only gives up 306 yards per game. The Tigers have racked up 49 sacks, intercepted 20 passes and allow third-down conversions only 29 percent of the time.
5 Dabo Swinney: If the Clemson coach indeed is the eventual replacement for Nick Saban, what better way than to show it than by beating him in a head-to-head matchup. Clemson was on the brink of the national championship a year ago, and this might be an even better team. Surely Swinney learned a few things from last year’s near miss. Clemson is the most complete team Alabama will have faced this season by a large margin. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers emerge from Raymond James Stadium holding the national championship trophy.
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
1 Deshaun Watson: After his performance against Ohio State, many football fans and experts were wondering how the talented Clemson quarterback missed out on winning the Heisman Trophy. That’s a good question. Watson is arguably the best quarterback in the country, and he’s also the type of player that can beat you in a variety of ways. Watson is Clemson’s second-leading rusher with 583 yards and 8 TDs. He’s thrown for 4,173 yards and 38 TDs. He’s the type quarterback that has given Alabama problems in recent seasons, including during last season’s title game in which he torched the Tide’s secondary for 405 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 70 yards on 20 carries.
2 A balanced offense: It’s hard to determine exactly what Dabo Swinney’s offense is going to do. During their 14 games, Clemson has run the ball 550 times and attempted 572 passes. The Tigers have a versatile 1,000-yard back in Wayne Gallman, who is a perfect complement to Watson. Gallman, who didn’t crack 50 yards in last season’s title game, enters tonight’s game with 1,087 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Tigers average 175 yards per game and 327 through the air.
3 Mike Williams: Alabama didn’t get a chance to see Clemson’s talented receiver in last year’s championship game after he sustained a severe neck injury in the season opener. Williams made a complete recovery and had a stellar season, catching 90 passes for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 6-foot-3 frame could give Alabama’s defensive backs trouble, and if the Tide plays too much attention to him it could open room for Artavis Scott to have a big game. Scott finished this season with 73 catches for 608 yards and 5 TDs.
4 Clemson defense: Alabama’s top-ranked defense has deservedly gotten a lot of attention this season, but Clemson’s hasn’t been too shabby in its own right. The Tigers have three shutouts this season and five other times have held opponents to 13 points or less. Swinney’s team allows 17.1 points per game and only gives up 306 yards per game. The Tigers have racked up 49 sacks, intercepted 20 passes and allow third-down conversions only 29 percent of the time.
5 Dabo Swinney: If the Clemson coach indeed is the eventual replacement for Nick Saban, what better way than to show it than by beating him in a head-to-head matchup. Clemson was on the brink of the national championship a year ago, and this might be an even better team. Surely Swinney learned a few things from last year’s near miss. Clemson is the most complete team Alabama will have faced this season by a large margin. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers emerge from Raymond James Stadium holding the national championship trophy.
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By Alex Byington Gameday
5 reasons Alabama will win
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
TUSCALOOSA — Every big game tends to have certain significant moments or overriding themes that ultimately make the biggest difference in who wins and who loses.
That won’t be any different in tonight's College Football Playoff National Championship rematch between No. 1 Alabama (14-0) and No. 2 Clemson (13-1), especially after last season’s epic shootout.
While there will undoubtedly be individual plays that factor in more heavily than others, here are the five key reasons the top-ranked Crimson Tide will claim its second straight national title and the program’s fifth in the last eight seasons:
1. The defense continues its path of destruction: For the most part, Alabama’s defense has been unrivaled all season and is producing statistical figures not seen in several years. Alabama’s 11.4 points per game allowed is the best nationally since 2012, when the Tide surrendered just 153 total points through 14 games, and is nearly a full field goal better than Michigan’s average this season. And its total defense (244.0 yards per game) and run defense (62.0 yards per game) are significantly the lowest nationally since TCU’s dominating 2008 defensive effort. Fueled by a bevy of senior playmakers such as linemen Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams, Alabama has a deluge of future NFL draft picks to send after Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. And if Alabama’s defense can continue to wreck havoc against opposing offenses, even one as potent as Clemson’s, it will spell a second-straight national championship.
2. Bo Scarbrough rushes for 150-plus yards and at least one touchdown: The comparisons between former Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry and Alabama sophomore Bo Scarbrough have been around for the last several years. But never have they been more apparent than after Scarbrough broke out for a career-best 180 rushing yards on 19 carries in Saturday’s 24-7 win over Washington. Scarbrough has been on a literal tear of late, averaging 120.3 rushing yards over his last three games while also combining for four touchdowns in the last two. Emerging as the more physically-dominant of Alabama’s sophomore tandem with Damien Harris, Scarbrough’s elevated his game at just the right time averaging 7.7 yards per carry since returning from a nagging injury that kept him out of several games this season. If Scarbrough can gash Clemson’s usually-stout defense for some of the same big runs he had against Washington, and keep pressure off of his freshman quarterback, it could only mean good things for Alabama.
3. Jalen Hurts rebounds in a big way: Fresh off his worst collegiate performance after tallying a season-low 107 yards of total offense against Washington, Alabama’s dynamic true freshman quarterback certainly appears motivated to show that was more the exception than the rule. And with Clemson’s Deshaun Watson — someone Hurts looks up to and even simulated as the Tide scout team quarterback ahead of last season’s title game — playing on the other side, it’s safe to say Hurts will have every reason and desire to put on a show. This season, Hurts has had his special moments, flashing a strong arm and sensational running prowess, eclipsing 100 rushing yards a program-record four times this year. Yet the last two games have been disappointments, averaging just 4.03 yards per play (well below his 6.65 ypp average). Whether it’s utilizing his receivers through the air or turning the corner on big zone-read runs, Hurts ability to move the ball consistently is arguably the key to Alabama having any success offensively against Clemson.
4. Opportunistic Tide defense finds the end zone again: As mentioned early, Alabama’s defense is seeking revenge after surrendering 40 points a year ago, one way to get that revenge is on the scoreboard by both keeping Clemson off it and finding its own way onto it. This season, the Tide defense has only surrendering 16 touchdowns — nine in two games against Mississippi and Arkansas — while also accounting for 11 of the Tide’s 15 non-offensive touchdowns this season, four more than its next closest rival (Ohio State with seven pick-6s). Not only have Alabama’s defensive scores been helpful to its own offense, they’ve also been emotional back-breakers to the opposition, usually coming at the most opportune time, as was the case with Ryan Anderson’s pick-six just before halftime in the semifinal win against Washington. If the Tide defense can find its way into the end zone, it’ll almost certainly mean an Alabama victory.
5. Special teams will come through with a key play: Nick Saban has shown he’s more than capable of pulling the rare rabbit out of his hat, especially on special teams. And as was the case in last year’s title game, those sort of special teams plays can be significant game changers. Last season it was Kenyan Drake’s punt return for a touchdown and a timely onside kick recovery that ultimately made the biggest difference for Alabama. While special teams is always important — especially when it comes to punter extraordinaire JK Scott and winning the field position battle — if the Tide can once again separate itself with either a special teams touchdown or a momentum-shifting play like the aforementioned onside kick, Alabama could ride that wave to a second consecutive national championship.
Decatur Daily—Continue reading...
TUSCALOOSA — Every big game tends to have certain significant moments or overriding themes that ultimately make the biggest difference in who wins and who loses.
That won’t be any different in tonight's College Football Playoff National Championship rematch between No. 1 Alabama (14-0) and No. 2 Clemson (13-1), especially after last season’s epic shootout.
While there will undoubtedly be individual plays that factor in more heavily than others, here are the five key reasons the top-ranked Crimson Tide will claim its second straight national title and the program’s fifth in the last eight seasons:
1. The defense continues its path of destruction: For the most part, Alabama’s defense has been unrivaled all season and is producing statistical figures not seen in several years. Alabama’s 11.4 points per game allowed is the best nationally since 2012, when the Tide surrendered just 153 total points through 14 games, and is nearly a full field goal better than Michigan’s average this season. And its total defense (244.0 yards per game) and run defense (62.0 yards per game) are significantly the lowest nationally since TCU’s dominating 2008 defensive effort. Fueled by a bevy of senior playmakers such as linemen Jonathan Allen, Dalvin Tomlinson, linebackers Ryan Anderson, Reuben Foster and Tim Williams, Alabama has a deluge of future NFL draft picks to send after Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. And if Alabama’s defense can continue to wreck havoc against opposing offenses, even one as potent as Clemson’s, it will spell a second-straight national championship.
2. Bo Scarbrough rushes for 150-plus yards and at least one touchdown: The comparisons between former Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry and Alabama sophomore Bo Scarbrough have been around for the last several years. But never have they been more apparent than after Scarbrough broke out for a career-best 180 rushing yards on 19 carries in Saturday’s 24-7 win over Washington. Scarbrough has been on a literal tear of late, averaging 120.3 rushing yards over his last three games while also combining for four touchdowns in the last two. Emerging as the more physically-dominant of Alabama’s sophomore tandem with Damien Harris, Scarbrough’s elevated his game at just the right time averaging 7.7 yards per carry since returning from a nagging injury that kept him out of several games this season. If Scarbrough can gash Clemson’s usually-stout defense for some of the same big runs he had against Washington, and keep pressure off of his freshman quarterback, it could only mean good things for Alabama.
3. Jalen Hurts rebounds in a big way: Fresh off his worst collegiate performance after tallying a season-low 107 yards of total offense against Washington, Alabama’s dynamic true freshman quarterback certainly appears motivated to show that was more the exception than the rule. And with Clemson’s Deshaun Watson — someone Hurts looks up to and even simulated as the Tide scout team quarterback ahead of last season’s title game — playing on the other side, it’s safe to say Hurts will have every reason and desire to put on a show. This season, Hurts has had his special moments, flashing a strong arm and sensational running prowess, eclipsing 100 rushing yards a program-record four times this year. Yet the last two games have been disappointments, averaging just 4.03 yards per play (well below his 6.65 ypp average). Whether it’s utilizing his receivers through the air or turning the corner on big zone-read runs, Hurts ability to move the ball consistently is arguably the key to Alabama having any success offensively against Clemson.
4. Opportunistic Tide defense finds the end zone again: As mentioned early, Alabama’s defense is seeking revenge after surrendering 40 points a year ago, one way to get that revenge is on the scoreboard by both keeping Clemson off it and finding its own way onto it. This season, the Tide defense has only surrendering 16 touchdowns — nine in two games against Mississippi and Arkansas — while also accounting for 11 of the Tide’s 15 non-offensive touchdowns this season, four more than its next closest rival (Ohio State with seven pick-6s). Not only have Alabama’s defensive scores been helpful to its own offense, they’ve also been emotional back-breakers to the opposition, usually coming at the most opportune time, as was the case with Ryan Anderson’s pick-six just before halftime in the semifinal win against Washington. If the Tide defense can find its way into the end zone, it’ll almost certainly mean an Alabama victory.
5. Special teams will come through with a key play: Nick Saban has shown he’s more than capable of pulling the rare rabbit out of his hat, especially on special teams. And as was the case in last year’s title game, those sort of special teams plays can be significant game changers. Last season it was Kenyan Drake’s punt return for a touchdown and a timely onside kick recovery that ultimately made the biggest difference for Alabama. While special teams is always important — especially when it comes to punter extraordinaire JK Scott and winning the field position battle — if the Tide can once again separate itself with either a special teams touchdown or a momentum-shifting play like the aforementioned onside kick, Alabama could ride that wave to a second consecutive national championship.
planomateo
Member
For those who have access at work and those sitting at home.
It's pretty much Alabama all day on the SECN with their coverage starting at 6. ESPN is running their Championship Drive at the same time (and comments there will likely tick some people off.)
Barrett is on the sidelines on the Duece with Tajh again. Greg is in the Finebaum Film Room.
I'll have more than one feed going tonight.
Max
Member
The State
Let’s start with this – this should be a great game.
Alabama is a 6 1/2-point favorite in Monday’s College Football National Championship game, but Clemson has looked every bit the Tide’s equal of late. One of the country’s best offenses against one of its best defenses should make for another very entertaining title game.
Here are four reasons Alabama will come out on top again:
Because they always do
Clemson is Almost There, but the step from Almost There to There is a big one. Alabama has won four of the past seven national championships. The Crimson Tide knows exactly how to do this, and when two teams are as evenly matched as the Tide and Tigers seem to be this year, that can be enough of an advantage. Clemson outplayed Alabama last year in many areas of the game, but blinked at crucial moments. The Tide doesn’t blink much.
Safety Support
The unenviable decision that Clemson’s offense forces upon most defensive coordinators is this: Use your safeties to support the run and keep Deshaun Watson in the pocket and the Tigers’ ground game in check, and then leave Mike Williams, etc. in a lot of single coverage OR keep your safeties back to protect the deep field and watch Watson and Wayne Gallman and friends run all over you. Alabama might not have to make that choice. The Crimson Tide’s front seven is the best in college football, and Alabama leads the nation in rushing defense (62 yards per game). Opponents are averaging 2.0 yards per carry against Alabama. The next-best rushing defense in the country (Western Kentucky) allowed 2.98 yards per carry, so the Tide’s rushing defense is 30 percent better than the second-best running defense in the country.
Sarkisian Surprises
There’s a belief that Alabama’s juggling of offensive coordinators – ousting Lane Kiffin and inserting Steve Sarkisian after the semifinal game – can only hurt the Crimson Tide and true freshman Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, but it’s not like Hurts could play much worse than he did against Washington. In that game, he was 7 of 14 for 57 yards and had a quarterback rating of 13.8. Alabama doesn’t win because Hurts is great. Alabama wins because its collective talent steamrolls opponents. Sarkisian is a very good offensive play caller, and his late addition to the lineup will make for some preparation headaches for Clemson and defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Jonathan Allen… and Ryan Anderson… and Tim Williams…
Alabama’s defense will have four players on the field Monday who are expected to be first round NFL Draft picks in a few months, and the Crimson Tide makes more plays on defense than any team in the country. Alabama’s defense has scored 11 touchdowns this season, which is more than half as many as Connecticut’s offense (20). Allen, Anderson and Williams were in the top six in the SEC in tackles-for-loss this season (and Reuben Foster, maybe their best defender, was 12th). The Crimson Tide was sixth in the nation in tackles-for-loss as a team. (Clemson was second.) Alabama keeps the pressure coming and forces opponents into mistakes.
Let’s start with this – this should be a great game.
Alabama is a 6 1/2-point favorite in Monday’s College Football National Championship game, but Clemson has looked every bit the Tide’s equal of late. One of the country’s best offenses against one of its best defenses should make for another very entertaining title game.
Here are four reasons Alabama will come out on top again:
Because they always do
Clemson is Almost There, but the step from Almost There to There is a big one. Alabama has won four of the past seven national championships. The Crimson Tide knows exactly how to do this, and when two teams are as evenly matched as the Tide and Tigers seem to be this year, that can be enough of an advantage. Clemson outplayed Alabama last year in many areas of the game, but blinked at crucial moments. The Tide doesn’t blink much.
Safety Support
The unenviable decision that Clemson’s offense forces upon most defensive coordinators is this: Use your safeties to support the run and keep Deshaun Watson in the pocket and the Tigers’ ground game in check, and then leave Mike Williams, etc. in a lot of single coverage OR keep your safeties back to protect the deep field and watch Watson and Wayne Gallman and friends run all over you. Alabama might not have to make that choice. The Crimson Tide’s front seven is the best in college football, and Alabama leads the nation in rushing defense (62 yards per game). Opponents are averaging 2.0 yards per carry against Alabama. The next-best rushing defense in the country (Western Kentucky) allowed 2.98 yards per carry, so the Tide’s rushing defense is 30 percent better than the second-best running defense in the country.
Sarkisian Surprises
There’s a belief that Alabama’s juggling of offensive coordinators – ousting Lane Kiffin and inserting Steve Sarkisian after the semifinal game – can only hurt the Crimson Tide and true freshman Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts, but it’s not like Hurts could play much worse than he did against Washington. In that game, he was 7 of 14 for 57 yards and had a quarterback rating of 13.8. Alabama doesn’t win because Hurts is great. Alabama wins because its collective talent steamrolls opponents. Sarkisian is a very good offensive play caller, and his late addition to the lineup will make for some preparation headaches for Clemson and defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
Jonathan Allen… and Ryan Anderson… and Tim Williams…
Alabama’s defense will have four players on the field Monday who are expected to be first round NFL Draft picks in a few months, and the Crimson Tide makes more plays on defense than any team in the country. Alabama’s defense has scored 11 touchdowns this season, which is more than half as many as Connecticut’s offense (20). Allen, Anderson and Williams were in the top six in the SEC in tackles-for-loss this season (and Reuben Foster, maybe their best defender, was 12th). The Crimson Tide was sixth in the nation in tackles-for-loss as a team. (Clemson was second.) Alabama keeps the pressure coming and forces opponents into mistakes.
Max
Member
Columbia's The State
Entering the playoff, I expected Alabama to win the national title. But the more I’ve been around this Clemson team, the more I feel the Tigers will win. And while it’s just one game, I can’t get the thought of Jalen Hurts looking scared and Clemson looking its best on the big stage in the semifinal out of my head.
Here are four reasons Clemson will win its first national title since 1981:
CONFIDENCE
Clemson celebrated after the Fiesta Bowl, but not for long. In the locker room after the game, the Tigers spoke about expecting to be in this situation and how there’s unfinished business that must be taken care of. Clemson believed all season that it would return to the national title game and face Alabama.
And unlike some teams that face the Crimson Tide, the Tigers won’t be intimidated. Clemson knows after last year it can go toe-to-toe with Alabama, and the Tigers believe they were the better team last year and will prove it on Monday.
DESHAUN WATSON
Clemson’s star quarterback has been at his best in big games throughout his career, and there’s no reason to expect anything different on Monday. He played perhaps the best game of his life last season against Alabama in the title game, passing for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns against the nation’s top defense.
That was without his best receiver Mike Williams, as well as Deon Cain, who’s second on the team with nine TDs.
DEFENSE
All of the focus is on Alabama’s defense, but Clemson’s has been stellar this year as well. The Tigers said the loss to Pitt was a wake-up call, and since then Clemson has allowed an average of less than 14 points per game, with a shutout of Ohio State its last time out.
Clemson has a stout front seven that will try to make Hurts beat the Tigers with his arm. The Alabama quarterback threw for less than 60 yards in the playoff semifinal against Washington.
LEADERSHIP
Yes, Clemson has a young team, as coach Dabo Swinney reminded everyone at a press conference on Sunday, but the Tigers have veterans at key spots. Clemson starts seven upperclassmen on offense and seven on defense.
Jordan Leggett, Wayne Gallman, Carlos Watkins and Cordrea Tankersley considered turning pro after last season, but came back hoping to win a national title. I expect them to do that Monday night.
Entering the playoff, I expected Alabama to win the national title. But the more I’ve been around this Clemson team, the more I feel the Tigers will win. And while it’s just one game, I can’t get the thought of Jalen Hurts looking scared and Clemson looking its best on the big stage in the semifinal out of my head.
Here are four reasons Clemson will win its first national title since 1981:
CONFIDENCE
Clemson celebrated after the Fiesta Bowl, but not for long. In the locker room after the game, the Tigers spoke about expecting to be in this situation and how there’s unfinished business that must be taken care of. Clemson believed all season that it would return to the national title game and face Alabama.
And unlike some teams that face the Crimson Tide, the Tigers won’t be intimidated. Clemson knows after last year it can go toe-to-toe with Alabama, and the Tigers believe they were the better team last year and will prove it on Monday.
DESHAUN WATSON
Clemson’s star quarterback has been at his best in big games throughout his career, and there’s no reason to expect anything different on Monday. He played perhaps the best game of his life last season against Alabama in the title game, passing for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns against the nation’s top defense.
That was without his best receiver Mike Williams, as well as Deon Cain, who’s second on the team with nine TDs.
DEFENSE
All of the focus is on Alabama’s defense, but Clemson’s has been stellar this year as well. The Tigers said the loss to Pitt was a wake-up call, and since then Clemson has allowed an average of less than 14 points per game, with a shutout of Ohio State its last time out.
Clemson has a stout front seven that will try to make Hurts beat the Tigers with his arm. The Alabama quarterback threw for less than 60 yards in the playoff semifinal against Washington.
LEADERSHIP
Yes, Clemson has a young team, as coach Dabo Swinney reminded everyone at a press conference on Sunday, but the Tigers have veterans at key spots. Clemson starts seven upperclassmen on offense and seven on defense.
Jordan Leggett, Wayne Gallman, Carlos Watkins and Cordrea Tankersley considered turning pro after last season, but came back hoping to win a national title. I expect them to do that Monday night.
I just want to say that I love most of y'all like family and today will be an emotional rollercoaster so if I say anything untoward you, it's not personal. I would like to say to 12gage though or the any of the Bama doubters, please don't post any more rah,rah Clemson shite. Let's stick with Bama stuff. Ok?
Thanks Terry, I don't know how you can watch the game on two or more TV. I can't hardly do it on one!
yes sir. It be cold where we're at. I woke up to 6 degrees and tonight we are supposed to get 1 to 3 inches of snow.
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