Clemson to face Alabama on January 11 in Championship game

No. 16 Okla. St. vs. No. 12 Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. The Sooners (11-2) actually came into the game as favorites, but the Tigers showed their unblemished mark was no fluke. The Tigers proved in Sun Life Stadium that they are an adaptable team capable of doing everything well.

One of the biggest highlights these days from their wins: Coach Dabo Swinney. Particularly the Oklahoma team we saw in the second half. Two quarterbacks, two important pieces to win the national championship game.

Although Watson wants to prove he can hurt defenses with his passing, his best asset is his running ability.

Quarterback and Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson sparked the Tigers offense with a total of 332 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the offensive MVP.

The game went back and forth through the first half, the Sooners jumping ahead on an impressive first possession that culminated with Samaje Perine’s 1-yard drive.

“We knew that in order to win this game, it would come down to Jake making plays and pass protection and our wide receivers outside”, Kiffin said on the field after the win.

If Watson was flustered by that interception, he sure didn’t show it after the break. A defense built for speed (Clemson) as opposed to one built for power (MSU) could call for a different type of game plan than offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin drew up against the Spartans.

It was an uneventful first quarter in the 80th Cotton Bowl.

Clemson outscored Oklahoma 21-0 during a 15-minute span in the second half to take control of the game. He finished with 75 yards but did score two touchdowns. While splitting time with Cole Staudt, he completed 2 of 4 passes and threw his first touchdown pass in the season-opener against Georgia.

The Tigers held nothing back.

The Tigers played loose throughout, even pulling off some special teams trickery to set up their first TD. His pass to the unassuming defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was a surprise to everyone.

Alabama is looking for its third national title in six seasons under coach Nick Saban while Clemson is out for its second ever and first since 1981.

The Tide is the only team to be playing in the College Football Playoff each of its first two seasons.

This season was a huge upgrade, but it ended with the same result: a dismal loss to Clemson at bowl time. The threat of Watson’s legs will always keep a defense on its toes, so it is very important that the Tigers are able to establish a solid running game with Gallman early so that they can open up the play-action and allow Watson to use his mobility out of the pocket.

Trailing 7-3 on fourth-and-4 at the Sooners’ 44-yard line, Swinney sent in the punt team. After Boulware leaped to make the pick at the goal line, Mayfield dove into the linebacker to make the tackle, took a knee to the head and staggered off the field. While Clemson has gone 34 years since its one and only national championship, Alabama will be seeking its fourth national title in seven years. “You know, it’s the longest winning streak in the country and we’ve played a lot of good teams in those 17 games”, Swinney said. After being humbled by Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes last season, the coach of the Crimson Tide took some heat in the offseason by talking about possible distractions his team faced leading up to the loss to Ohio State.