Clemson Tigers Shut Down Sooners Offense In Dominating Second Half

Alabama will be back in the national championship game for the first time since 2012 after blanking Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl.

The Sooners led 7-3 and had Clemson pinned inside the 5 early in the second quarter, but on the first play Watson broke free on the read-option for 46 yards. And even with what the Seminoles and Tigers have done in recent years, the ACC still believes it doesn’t get the level of respect that’s afforded to some of the other leagues – namely the Southeastern Conference, which just happens to be providing Clemson’s final obstacle this season in Alabama.

The national championship features Clemson coach Dabo Swinney against his alma mater. Even soap opera stars on “General Hospital” made not-so-subtle references to making plans to watch the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Eve. Watson repeatedly called his own number in the first half, gaining over 100 rushing yards in the opening 30 minutes alone.

That’s going to present quite a challenge for a Clemson team that used its running game to fuel its win against Oklahoma on Thursday.

Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson passed for 187 yards and rushed for 145. The Tigers declared him out of the game at halftime, and Lawson still had an ice pack strapped to his knee during the postgame celebration. Few teams have solved this conundrum, though Michigan State did a pretty good job in the semifinal. Throw in Wayne Gallman, who gained 150 yards on the ground, and Clemson has weapons that could – just maybe – cause problems for Alabama. Clemson hasn’t won a national title since 1981. “I didn’t know it was going to be like that”. Oregon’s 39-point margin in a national semifinal over then-undefeated Florida State was one point greater than Alabama’s triumph over Michigan State on Thursday night.

Alabama coach Nick Saban pauses next to the Field Scovell Trophy after his team’s Cotton Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against Michigan State, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. The story of the game can be summed up in two words, though: Deshaun Watson. Said defensive coordinator Brent Venables, “The second half of the season, we hadn’t had that mentality, that step on their throat, taste blood mentality-until today”. We’ve been in some big games and it’s just the next challenge.

Oklahoma had only one long drive during the second half – it lasted 10 plays and covered 70 yards – but it ended with an interception that iced the game. The Sooners (11-2) matched their lowest-scoring game of the season as Baker Mayfield was sacked five times and intercepted twice, finally getting knocked out of the game when he took a blow to the head trying to make a tackle after his second pick. It’s not just that he’s usually the best player on the field, and can beat you with both his arm and legs.

Henry set SEC rushing yards and touchdown records this season and is no doubt the heart and soul of the Alabama offense. The Spartans played a similar style as Alabama, but a less polished version. The problem he presents for every defense is that he’s too big for every secondary player and most linebackers to handle at 6-3, 240 pounds.