Alabama knocks off Clemson to win college football championship

On Monday night, more than 63,000 people will pack themselves into University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to watch Clemson University play University of Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Vasquez/USA Today Sports Alabama coach Nick Saban receives a Gatorade bath from Derrick Henry. This should shape up to be either an entertaining game or Alabama running the floor again.

One of the factors in Alabama’s favor is its rich tradition.

Fans take pictures as the team from Alabama leaves after media day for the NCAA College Football Playoff National Championship in Phoenix, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016.

Notre Dame won four in seven seasons from 1943-49, but big-time college football is hardly comparable now to then.

In the run-up to the title game, Clemson safety Jayron Kearse has talked a good game, saying “I know (Henry) can be stopped”.

The Crimson Tide (14-1) won its three previous championship game appearances in runaway fashion.

The national championship game is a time for stars to step up and shine, but the unknowns such as Renfrow were making a difference early Monday.

Watson kept it going the next time Clemson got the ball. Swinney heaped so much praise on his counterpart during the half-hour session with reporters that Saban looked a little uncomfortable.

And I think Clemson proves that early. His final numbers: 30-of-47 for 407 yards passing and four touchdowns.

That onside kicked stunned the stadium and Clemson, and brought a big grin to the face of the country’s most serious coach.

Clemson has one national championship to its credit. But Alabama’s status as the clear favorite has influenced large bets on Clemson as well as Alabama, which of course be a major reward if the Tigers win. First Alabama succeeded with an on-sides kick to take over at midfield, leading to a go-ahead score.

“Really frustrating with how the clock was handled right there”, Swinney said during his halftime interview.

Derrick Henry has been carrying this team on his back for most of the season. “I’m going with Alabama”. “Not everybody can coach a great team”. But Alabama’s defensive line is too big, too strong and too deep to let Watson get on the kind of roll Clemson would need to win.

While Alabama’s offense has been dominant at times this season, it’s truly their defense that separates them from other teams. To the victor goes the title, and to the loser, an off season of wondering, “what if”.