Clemson Tigers headed to national title game

It’s time to put that term to rest.

Ohio State and Alabama, two of the most popular programs in college football, played a game that went down to the final play. The first trick worked, the second didn’t, and from that point on Clemson embraced a back-to-basics approach in which it imposed its will on the Sooners behind the strength and depth of the Tigers’ two lines and the running of quarterback Deshaun Watson and tailback Wayne Gallman. Clemson’s defense didn’t skip a beat without him, holding Oklahoma scoreless after halftime. Even though Clemson won that game without him, it is much stronger with him in the lineup. “Seven years ago, when I got this job, I knew that we would be here. It was just a matter of when”.

No. 5 Iowa vs. No. 6 Stanford, 4 p.m. He also said of 38-0: “No, I did not see this coming”.

The No. 2 Tide convincingly punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff national championship game by dismantling No. 3 Michigan State 38-0 on New Year’s Eve in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

“He’s a great quarterback, he’s a great leader, and he can make things happen when we need them”, receiver ArDarius Stewart said.

Watson played like Heisman finalist. No FBS team has ever finished 15-0, and being the first to get there has been a goal for Clemson from the moment that the team convened for training camp last summer.

“Deshaun Watson is the best player in the country. It’s just that simple”.

“It’s special whoever we play”, a beaming Swinney told reporters following his team’s 37-17 win over Oklahoma in the first semifinal game of the College Football Playoff. “We’re just little ol’ Clemson”, coach Dabo Swinney said. Watson has only thrown 11 interceptions, but has thrown interceptions against comparable pass defenses from Louisville and North Carolina. Eventually scoring their second touchdown of the game with 1:34 left before the break, OU took the lead 17-16.

This wasn’t just a beating. No. 2 running back Joe Mixon appeared to be knocked unconscious and never returned.

Ben Boulware, a first-team All-ACC linebacker, gives up about three inches to Henry but weighs roughly the same. He’ll likely undergo some testing on the knee that was wrapped in ice after his exit, but that didn’t stop Lawson from assessing his prognosis based on how he felt after the game.

This New Year’s Day, the Bowl games around College Football have a bit of a throwback feel to them. Gallman will have to make plays against a D that held the Spartans to 29 yards on 26 carries.

Free spirits? Who the heck calls a fake punt pass to a 322-pound freshman defensive tackle, as Swinney did against the flummoxed Sooners. “I would say I didn’t throw 3,500 yards for no reason, and they weren’t always outside the pocket. I thought Oklahoma was going to win, but two great teams”.

Alabama, the first two-time CFB playoff participant, is playing for its fourth national championship under Saban. However, the excitement quickly faded as Clemson forced Oklahoma to punt after three straight losing yardage plays.

Of course, Watson can do at least one thing Cook doesn’t: tuck it in and take off toward severe damage to opposing morale.

There’s no Clemsoning with this bunch.