Get ready
for a blockbuster sequel. It’s Alabama vs Clemson, The Rematch NCAA
Championship
. The
top-ranked Crimson Tide will take on the No. 3 Tigers in a do-over of last
season’s ncaa championship game, a 45-40 thriller won by Alabama.
If the Jan.
9 matchup in Tampa comes anywhere close to that classic in the desert, it will
more than make up for two semifinal duds on Saturday.
Alabama
(14-0) wore down No. 4 Washington for a 24-7 victory in the Peach Bowl, while
Clemson dominated No. 2 Ohio State 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl, handing Urban Meyer
the first shutout of his coaching career.
The Tide
opened as a touchdown favorite.
CBSSports.com’s
Jon Solomn writes that while Clemson was inconsistent at times this season, the
Tigers always looked like potentially the toughest matchup for Alabama. Clemson
has the defensive line, the dual-threat quarterback, and a number of offensive
weapons to threaten Alabama.
Still, this
is an Alabama team that leads the nation in total defense, rushing defense and
defensive touchdowns. NCAA Football National championship
This might be Coach Nick Saban’s best defense ever. It’s certainly the fastest
and most athletic.
While
Clemson was inconsistent at times this season, the Tigers always looked like
potentially the toughest matchup for Alabama. Clemson has the defensive line,
the dual-threat quarterback, and a number of offensive weapons to threaten
Alabama.
“They are
who they are because they’re the best, they’re the standard,” Clemson coach
Dabo Swinney. “We’re excited. If you’re ever going to be the best, you’ve to
beat them. It’s going to be an unbelievable game. I’m glad we’ve got a shot.
That’s all we can ask for.”
Alabama will
be going for its fifth national championship in eight seasons, a run that
already has stamped it as one of the greatest dynasties in college football
history.
If coach
Nick Saban claims another title, he will join Bear Bryant as the only coaches
to win six titles in the poll era.
Clemson
(13-1) will be going for the second national title in school history, having
come up just short a year ago.
The Tigers
wanted another shot at Alabama all along.
“Of course,”
said Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who turned in a virtuoso performance
in the Fiesta Bowl, much like he did in last year’s title game. “They’re the
best of the best. You’ve got to earn it.”
Alabama has
been dominant all year long, surviving a close call at Ole Miss early in the season
but winning every other game by double-figure margins.
The Tide
went old school on Washington, wearing down the Huskies with its stifling
defense and a powerful running game, overcoming an off day for freshman
quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Bo
Scarbrough , a second-string running back who has come on strong late in the
season, rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the Peach Bowl. ncaa football championship He figures to play a big role in the
championship game.
“We’ve been
playing him more and more, and he has certainly delivered in a really positive
way,” Saban said. “Whoever’s hot, that’s who’s going to get the ball. He’s been
hot lately and he’s going to get the ball.”
But
everything at Alabama starts with the defense. ncaa
football championship live The
Tide leads the nation in most major categories and has even helped out the
offense by scoring 11 touchdowns, including Ryan Anderson’s interception return
for a score just before halftime in the Peach Bowl, putting his team firmly in
control against the Huskies.
No comments:
Post a Comment