Only former Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant (six) has won more than four national titles during the wire-service era (since 1936).
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Alabama Heisman victor Derrick Henry’s running game has garnered a lot of attention, but much has also been made about quarterback Deshaun Watson and a Tigers offense that set the world on fire this year.
Alabama’s O.J. Howard heads to the end zone for a touchdown reception during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. Jake Coker’s touchdown pass to OJ Howard early in the third quarter. And with Alabama leading by five at 38-33, Howard took a swing pass for 63 yards to the Clemson 14. The Crimson Tide picked up steam when Cam Robinson threw a mammoth block on Clemson’s T.J. Green on a play that picked up 3 yards. But Sling TV offers an option to watch the game free, with the seven-day introductory trial offered to new subscribers, who can choose whether or not to keep the service after they watch the Alabama vs. Clemson College Football Playoff National Championship game live online. Clemson is angling for only its second national title in the program’s history, the first coming in 1981.
That compares to Henry’s 2,061 yards rushing, with 25 touchdowns, and a 5.7 yards per carry average.
Watson led Clemson in passing with 405 yards and in rushing with 73 yards.
The Tigers enter the game ranking sixth in the country in total defense.
In the second year of the college football playoff, the semifinals were a bit of a dud.
In addition to the historical side of things, this game is huge because Clemson football will finally be able to put the mainstream media’s thoughts of them to bed.
Clemson will likely get a boost from defensive lineman Shaq Lawson, who plans to return from injury to play in the National Championship Game. Ridley is Coker’s favorite target and with over 1,000 yards receiving on the season, and seven touchdowns, he’s definitely outplayed his class status.
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. He called for an onside kick called Pop Kick from Adam Griffith and Alabama defensive back Marlon Humphrey caught it over the shoulder at midfield.
But Clemson used 10-unanswered points as Greg Huegel nailed a 37-yard field goal and Wayne Gallman ran for a one-yard touchdown.
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DeShawn Watson navigated through Alabama defense in the first quarter by throwing two touchdowns to Hunter Renfrow, a 31-yard and a 11-yard, for Clemson to take the lead, 14-7, over the Tigers.
