PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NCAAF CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WINNER ~ Won Bowl G.O.W. on Oklahoma!
(NCAAF) Clemson vs. Alabama,
Point Spread: -6.00 | -120.00 Alabama (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -6.00 | -120.00 Alabama (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Monday's championship game is a rematch of last year, when Alabama beat Clemson, 45-40. Top-seeded Alabama (the Tide have been No. 1 in every poll since the preseason) looks to claim its fifth national title in 10 seasons under Nick Saban and goes for its 27th straight win. Clemson won its first 14 games last year before losing to Alabama and returns to the title game 13-1 in pursuit of the school's second-ever national title (only other came back in 1981, when the Tigers went 12-0 under Danny Ford).
Clemson: QB DeShaun Watson has not won the Heisman in either of the last two seasons but he's led Clemson to 27 wins and just two losses. After throwing for 4,104 yards with 35 TDs and 13 INTs last season, he's got 4,173 yards this year with 38 TDs and 17 INTs, with one game to go. A difference this season has been he hasn't run nearly as much or effectively. He had 1,105 and 12 TDs last season but just 581 yatds with eight TDs this year. He leads a Clemson offense averaging 39.5 PPG (13th) and the Clemosn defense doesn't take a back seat to many teams, allowing 17.1 PPG (7th) on 306.9 YPG (8th).
Alabama: However, one defense Clemson does take a back seat to is Alabama's. The Crimson Tide rank first in points allowed (11.4 PPG), total yards allowed (244.1 YPG) and rushing yards allowed (62.4 YPG). The defense has also accounted for 11 defensive TDs, six interceptions and five fumbles (note: Alabama's 26-yard "pick six" in the late first half vs. Washington may have broken the Huskies' back). Freshman QB Jalen Hurts is no DeShaun Watson but he has accounted for 34 scores (22 passing, 12 rushing) and is aiming to join Oklahoma's Jamelle Holieway (1985) as the only true freshman QBs to lead a team to a national title. However, he passed for only 57 yards in the Crimson Tide's 24-7 semifinal victory over Washington. That said, he's led a very balanced Alabama offense all season (248.8 YPG rushing and 212.1 YPG passing), which has avergaed 39.4 PPG (15th). Alabama controlled the ball against Washington, rushing for 269 yards on 5.4 YPC. Hurts wasn't really needed but when he has been this season, the freshman has delivered.
The pick: Watson rolled up 478 yards and directed the Tigers to 40 points in last season's national championship loss to the Tide and he's back for more, specifically a ring. However, I can't help but believe that Saban's defense will be just as anxious to prove that it is much better than it showed against Clemson last Januray. Saban was also highly disappointed with the offensive showing against the Huskies (Kiffin played it "too cute by half") and he told Kiffin to get an early start with his new gig (head coach of the powerful FAU Owls), promoting offensive analyst Steve Sarkisian to offensive coordinator. It's a bold move but you want to doubt Saban at this stage! Make Alabama a 10* play.
Clemson: QB DeShaun Watson has not won the Heisman in either of the last two seasons but he's led Clemson to 27 wins and just two losses. After throwing for 4,104 yards with 35 TDs and 13 INTs last season, he's got 4,173 yards this year with 38 TDs and 17 INTs, with one game to go. A difference this season has been he hasn't run nearly as much or effectively. He had 1,105 and 12 TDs last season but just 581 yatds with eight TDs this year. He leads a Clemson offense averaging 39.5 PPG (13th) and the Clemosn defense doesn't take a back seat to many teams, allowing 17.1 PPG (7th) on 306.9 YPG (8th).
Alabama: However, one defense Clemson does take a back seat to is Alabama's. The Crimson Tide rank first in points allowed (11.4 PPG), total yards allowed (244.1 YPG) and rushing yards allowed (62.4 YPG). The defense has also accounted for 11 defensive TDs, six interceptions and five fumbles (note: Alabama's 26-yard "pick six" in the late first half vs. Washington may have broken the Huskies' back). Freshman QB Jalen Hurts is no DeShaun Watson but he has accounted for 34 scores (22 passing, 12 rushing) and is aiming to join Oklahoma's Jamelle Holieway (1985) as the only true freshman QBs to lead a team to a national title. However, he passed for only 57 yards in the Crimson Tide's 24-7 semifinal victory over Washington. That said, he's led a very balanced Alabama offense all season (248.8 YPG rushing and 212.1 YPG passing), which has avergaed 39.4 PPG (15th). Alabama controlled the ball against Washington, rushing for 269 yards on 5.4 YPC. Hurts wasn't really needed but when he has been this season, the freshman has delivered.
The pick: Watson rolled up 478 yards and directed the Tigers to 40 points in last season's national championship loss to the Tide and he's back for more, specifically a ring. However, I can't help but believe that Saban's defense will be just as anxious to prove that it is much better than it showed against Clemson last Januray. Saban was also highly disappointed with the offensive showing against the Huskies (Kiffin played it "too cute by half") and he told Kiffin to get an early start with his new gig (head coach of the powerful FAU Owls), promoting offensive analyst Steve Sarkisian to offensive coordinator. It's a bold move but you want to doubt Saban at this stage! Make Alabama a 10* play.
