Clemson’s going to the National Championship, so Dabo Swinney’s dancing yet again

Alabama Crimson Tide advances to the College Football Playoff National Championship in Glendale, Arizona. Oklahoma went to the locker room with a 17-16 lead after Mark Andrews hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield with 1:34 remaining, and the Sooners defense came up with a pick in the end zone on an ill-advised throw by Watson into triple-coverage.

Just moments after Dabo Swinney and his Tigers had been buried in confetti – and praise – for their shocking rout of Oklahoma in the first College Football Playoff semifinal, someone dared mention the term “Clemsoning” in the postgame press conference and asked if it was time to put that choking label to rest.

Clemson (14-0) dominated the second half and shut down Oklahoma’s high-scoring offence that had averaged 52 points over its last seven contests.

Are you kidding? Watson and very underrated tailback Wayne Gallman combined to run for 312 yards.

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Mayfield threw for 311 yards and was intercepted twice, the second of which ended his season.

Clemson’s rushing attack has taken center stage the past two games, but Artavis Scott may change that come January 11. Clemson defeated Oklahoma 37-17.

Why is Clemson’s winning streak so quiet, I wondered, and Swinney said: “We’re just little old Clemson”. Not because I care about television ratings, or because it ruins my plans for New Year’s Eve.

Clemson scored its first touchdown two plays later, early in the second quarter, responding to a middling first quarter with an aggressive gamble that paid off. There was to be no tentativeness, and no lack of confidence. Gallman, a 6-1, 205-pound sophomore And All-ACC first-teamer, is strong enough to not go down on first contact and fast enough to take it to the house if he gets a crease.

Clemson’s had a bunch of gutsy wins but also big wins with an 8-4 record against Top 10 teams under Swinney.

As for the fake punt, Stoops said his team practiced for that type of scenario, but there was a linebacker who was late to adjust to the play. Cyrus Jones was on the receiving end and he did not take his time returning it 57-yards for the touchdown.

“We just didn’t tackle”, Striker said. He caught eight passes for 138 yards and two TDs. Instead of pounding away at a Michigan State defense that was stacked to stop Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry from running wild, Alabama aired it out.

There were plenty of outside distractions and detractors – trash talk from Oklahoma was prevalent throughout the week, and even former West Virginia players were using social media to pile on after Oklahoma’s touchdown on the game’s first drive. Even with star defensive end Shaq Lawson leaving the game in the first quarter with a knee injury, the Sooners were never able to establish a running game.

“You know, that’s 17 in a row for us”. He finished with 150 yards on 26 carries. “And I’m really, really proud of this team and our players”.

Last year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation complained about the Clemson football program’s connection to Swinney’s religious conviction.

Jake Coker played the game of his career, hooking up with Calvin Ridley for two touchdowns, and going 25 for 30 for a career-best 286 yards. “I’m sure our guys will be motivated, trying to do the best they can to play the best they can in the game”.