This year’s CFP national championship was Clemson versus Alabama round four, with the two having met either in the national final or the play-offs in each of the last four seasons. Both had national championship win and last year Alabama defeated Clemson in theSugar Bowl, which served as the semi-final. Both teams went into the game undefeated, with Clemson being ranked number two, despite possibly just having the better if the demolition job on Notre Dame was included. Before the off Alabama was 5.5 points favourite.
The opening quarter started brightly with Clemson scoring with a pick six to open things, and Alabama responding with a long touchdown run. The teams then exchanged touchdowns, however, Alabama missed an extra point and although they managed to take a 16-14 lead they never looked comfortable. It was no surprise when Clemson regained the lead on a 1-yard touchdown run, and soon after Tua Tagovailoa threw his second pick of the game which ended up gifting Clemson another seven points. That was pretty much the turning point of the game, and when the Tigers kicked a field goal just before the half to take a 31-16 lead the game looked pretty much over.
In the second half Alabama turned the ball over on downs three drives in a row including a fake field goal attempt, and the game was over by the end of the third quarter as Clemson took the score to 44-16. That was the end of the scoring and the fourth quarter will not live long in the memory.
Despite the one-sided scoreline this was an entertaining game (well at least the three quarters) and Alabama could have kicked field goals in some of their possessions which would have made the score a little more respectable. Clemson racked up 482 yards of offence and played with a lot of discipline, only given away 12 yards in penalties. Overall as Alabama found you can’t give a team of Clemson’s quality 14 points off turnovers and hope to win the game. To put this result into perspective is the first time that any team has beaten Alabama by more than 14 points since Nick Saban became the coach in 2007.
Both teams will bring a lot of starters back this year and the chances of the Tigers, Crimson Tide round five looks high.
