Clemson’s Alexander may not play in title game

Alabama rode the momentum from that surprise to score the go-ahead touchdown and then rocket back to the top of the college football world, winning its fourth national title in seven years Monday night by beating Clemson 45-40. An Alabama win would mark the program’s 16th claimed title, and would be their fourth under Nick Saban (accumulated in his 9 years there as head coach). Only former Alabama coach Bear Bryant with six has more.

With 10:34 left in the fourth quarter and Alabama having just tied the game with a short field goal, Saban took a gamble to try to keep the ball away from Watson and the Tigers. He called for an onside kick called Pop Kick from Adam Griffith and Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey caught it over the shoulder at midfield. Alabama effectively finished this one with 3:44 left, when quarterback Jake Coker completed a 63-yard catch-and-sprint to O.J. Howard. After Clemson responded with a field goal, it was Kenyan Drake’s turn to command the spotlight.

Howard had just 394 receiving yards all season entering play Monday night, with no touchdowns, but emerged as the catalyst Alabama’s offense needed to overcome a ferocious Clemson pass rush. Derrick Henry: Alabama running back, won the Heisman Trophy this year, a big bruising running back that trucks defenders and is faster than you think for his size. In five of his last six games, Watson has rushed for more than 100 yards. Dabo Swinney: Clemson head coach, kind of insane, pronounces first name “DABB-oh”.

Still, two of the most crucial plays in the game came on special teams for Alabama. When also considering the stricter scholarship limits, longer schedules and much more competitive landscape in today’s college game, Saban’s achievement clearly stands supreme. At halftime he had 128 yards on 20 carries. The clock stopped for a first down, but restarted so fast it was rolling before Deshaun Watson could stop it with a spike. Saban will count on Williams to pressure quarterback Deshaun Watson, a true test of the undersized linebacker’s closing speed. Second, like Vince Young gave USC’s stout defense fits, Clemson’s Watson is the prototypical mobile quarterback that has given Alabama’s defense so much trouble in the Saban era.

After Alabama (14-1) moved in front 21-14 early in the third quarter, Watson went back to work once more. Key play: It was Alabama’s first kickoff-return touchdown since Christion Jones went 94 yards against Virginia Tech in the 2013 season opener.

While the Crimson Tide are used to such welcomes on the road, it seems clear this will be a Clemson crowd when the Tigers go against ‘Bama for the national title. “Fans would get over the end of the NCAA’s “amateur” status, just as they have accepted pro basketball, hockey and soccer players competing in the Olympics”.

As the first quarter came to a close, Clemson had over 140 yards on offense.

Lawson is a standout pass rusher with 10 1/2 sacks, and is being counted on to help deal with Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry.

Watson’s play, though, could not make up for Clemson’s mistakes on defense and special teams against Alabama. Sparty struggled to get its running game going against the Tide. Time: 5:18. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards in 2:29.