Clemson WRs Williams, Cain will play this year vs. Alabama

Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40 in last season’s thrilling contest at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Venables said the three – Crimson Tide freshman Jalen Hurts, the Buckeyes’ J.T. Barrett and the Cardinals’ Heisman Trophy victor Lamar Jackson – are all talented players. Still, he’ll outplay Hurts, carry the offense during the crucial fourth quarter, and add an exclamation point to an already sterling legacy at Clemson.

We’d like the college football playoffs expanded to more teams – but clearly these are the two best. So, could one-loss Clemson come into the 2017 title game and bring down undefeated Alabama?

The game was simulated 501 times, and the Crimson Tide were victorious 58.1% of the simulations. It began with a Ray-Ray McCloud touchdown reception from Deshawn Watson that gave Clemson a 20-17 advantage and the Tigers’ first lead of the game.

Should that improved reliability follow to the championship game, the Tigers likely will not get gashed the way they did a year ago. I noticed Boston Red Sox fans doing this after they won their third World Series in a decade back in 2013. Alabama had 269 rushing yards. Has stuck out his chest a time or two and said, “They don’t make them like they used to” with that sly smile of his.

The most ridiculous broadcast every year is the ESPN Voices telecast on ESPNU, which features several ESPN personalities watching the game and giving their own running commentary on the game. The Tigers’ opponents have gone a combined 76-46 for a.623 winning percentage.

From Clemson’s standpoint, however, 2008 was a blessing in disguise, no matter how bad it felt at the time.

The former Alabama offensive coordinator, current Florida Atlantic head coach and eternal drama queen was run out of Tuscaloosa this week – although Kiffin denied that on the “Paul Finebaum Show” Monday, a few hours after Alabama announced Kiffin’s departure. “The other team’s going to have good players, no doubt, when you play in games like this, but it’s still going to come down to execution”. Now with Steve Sarkisian calling plays: “I’m wondering how much that changes”, Aranda said. That often gets overlooked and is viewed as him harping about poor play, but during those rants, he’ll usually take fault for how the team looked.

Then the college football season will be over and the long wait for September begins.

The first true freshman starting quarterback to win a title in 31 years: And his name is Jalen Hurts. That’s how the Crimson Tide wants it. “The team never really gets a curveball thrown at them”. In 2015, the Tigers ended the season having run 1,207 plays for 7,718 yards, which translated to 6.39 yards per play.

Fans are welcome to cheer the Tigers on as they leave for the airport. Things are a little different this year than they were last season, but the game should be just as entertaining. Previous year they played a wild 45-40 game won by ‘Bama.

Win or lose, Watson has left a fine legacy at Clemson.

So it all comes down to this Monday and the game for all the marbles. Tight end O.J. Howard earned offensive MVP honors in the victory after catching five passes for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns.

But though there were questions about whether the other semifinalists – Ohio State and Washington – deserved a spot in the playoff, there were no questions about Clemson’s validity.

Clemson ranks No. 8 in total defense, allowing 307 yards per game, and is second in tackles for loss with 123, behind only Arkansas State.

For Clemson on offense, they’ll need a similar performance from Deshaun Watson to the one they got previous year. While Alabama returned 14 starters, it initially struggled to determine who would be the new quarterback.

Spread: These two teams put on dominant, statement of intentions displays in their respective semifinal match-ups. Better than interceptions. Hurts has thrown four of his nine picks when facing pressure, according to PFF. We’re just trying to make our legacy for this season.