Clemson set to take on Alabama in the Sugar Bowl

Coach Nick Saban’s chance of winning the National title remains alive. “I just looked forward to graduating and getting that degree after all those years of school”, Miller said. There are a few plays I’ve seen on film where he’d sling it after running around a little bit, throw it deep and make a big play.

First rat poison. Now lacking intensity.

Alabama and Clemson will face each other for the third consecutive time in the college football playoffs.

Wilson, who played for Alabama from 2005-08, is right. It looks to be the most wide-open field since the four-team format was established.

Finally, in the fourth quarter, Alabama was able to overcome their mistakes and the opportune play of the Clemson defense and make it into the red zone.

“If they beat them, I think there’s a changing of the guard”, said Howard.

“The market is not really set for this thing yet”, Salmons said.

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant is finishing a stellar season as a dual threat – rushing for 646 yards and 11 touchdowns and completing 244 of 362 passes for 2,678 yards and 13 touchdowns against six interceptions – but he has yet to be tested on the biggest stage. They have established themselves as the best team in the Atlantic Coast Conference, taking over the No. 1 spot from Florida State.

“We have a standard for ourselves”, Hurts said. “It’s such a better time slot this year, too. It’s going to be a different challenge for us”. But he also knows this is a break through game if Clemson can win because it could mean that the tide has indeed turned in Clemson’s direction. So, it’s been great. “I just was so proud”.

So, you take a talented program that’s battl-tested and has quality and proven coaching. The last-second, all-time classic finish to win his first national championship against Alabama last season wasn’t enough.

Plus, they’re young and hungry.

“Every game is a championship game to us”, Clemson junior defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said. The Tigers are the playoff’s top seed, but when you combine all those elements listed above, they’re also the most risky one in the playoff.

The Auburn Tigers may have been the toughest defense that Alabama has faced to this point. Alabama drove into Clemson territory again on the ensuing possession, this time with under two minutes in the half, but on a scramble Hurts fumbled the ball and the Tigers recovered.

Winning on Monday will be different because there will be another game to play for the victor, which will be a challenge whether its Oklahoma or Georgia.

More: Dreamy CFP title game? The difference is tonight’s showdown in New Orleans takes place in a national semifinal after the Crimson Tide and Tigers split the past two encounters in the championship contest. The Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Clemson is to be televised on ESPN. Schematically, they’re very similar to what they’ve done the last two years.

“It’s just another game, another team that’s in the way of trying to stop us from what we want to do, and that’s win a national championship”, Miller said of facing the Tigers.

With a handful of future NFL prospects meeting in this College Football Playoff Semifinal, scouts will definitely be keeping a watch on Alabama’s defensive star, Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Trust me, that won’t be a laughing matter for Saban.