Clemson vs Alabama Open Thread

No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama were tied in the College Football Playoff’s national championship Monday with Alabama kicking off when Saban himself rushed over to the Crimson Tide’s special-teams unit.

A perfectly executed trick play in a game’s fourth quarter that wins Alabama the national championship.

Both players were injured in Clemson’s Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma. Coker took a knee and after a two-year drought that felt like eternity in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was back on top. Their coach (Nick Saban) is basically the college equivalent of Bill Belichick – doesn’t say much, record of championships and often compared to Darth Vader.

But Watson was intercepted by Eddie Jackson out of Boyd Anderson (Fort Lauderdale Lakes), setting up Alabama’s tying score when Henry dove in from the 1 to make it 14-14. Clemson didn’t fold. Watson’s 11-yard TD pass to Artavis Scott cut the Tide lead to 38-33 with 4:40 to play.

Alabama’s four championships under Saban, who took over in 2007, have all come in at least 13-game seasons. Derrick Henry led in rushing with 75 yards and two touchdowns. The absence of the brash-talking Alexander might have paid off for Alabama when blown coverage by Clemson left tight end O.J. Howard wide open down the deep sideline.

Alabama is taking part in its 10th 1 vs. 2 game and is ranked No. 2 going in for the eighth time.

“I think we are reaching the max in terms of the number of games that are being played, particularly with what we’re seeing with the impact on individuals and their bodies and their minds in the sport of football”, Swofford said.

When Henry scored from a yard out for a 14-14 tie, Alabama had epic package that averaged 290 pounds, including quarterback Jake Coker.

Howard caught five passes for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns – a 53-yard scoring play in the first half and a 51-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that put Alabama ahead to stay. The victor gets all the glory and the loser goes home brokenhearted. Georgia labeled their matchup the game of the year and was ready for their revenge after the “blackout” loss the last time Alabama visited.

(5:10) Clemson scores a touchdown.

His path appeared to be blocked at about the 20, but then he made a sharp left turn, outraced the Tigers to the other side of the field and sped to a 95-yard return for six points. Key play: Howard went 63 yards with a Coker pass to the Clemson 14.

Watson threw another touchdown pass, but would not get another chance.

It is the 14th NCAA national title for the Crimson Tide, which finished the season 14-1.

Alexander, among the top cornerbacks in the nation, would be matched against Alabama’s star receiver Calvin Ridley.

Trouble is you give the Crimson Tide the lead, with that running back and that defensive front, and all you’re really doing is minimizing your margin of defeat.