Coach Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State players did not get down on themselves after getting blown out 38-0 by Alabama in the Cotton Bowl. The Crimson Tide entered the game as the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation and lived up to that as backup quarterback Damion Terry was the leading rusher with 14 yards on one carry. Scoring grabs of 50 and 6 yards by Ridley were sandwiched around cornerback Cyrus Jones’ 57-yard punt-return touchdown.
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The Tide now advances to the CFP National Championship Game against the No. 1 Clemson Tigers set for Monday, January 11, 2016, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. And it’s so deep that as many as 11 make each game’s rotation.
That’s the card that Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney played after his Tigers dismantled the favored Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff semifinals on New Year’s Eve. “I’m very, very pleased and proud and happy that we get a chance to play in the National Championship game against a really fine Clemson team”.
The Southeastern Conference going without a national championship for two straight years is akin to being asked: “When is the last time you had a bowl of Wolf Brand Chili?”
Clemson shouldn’t starved for motivation.
Clemson has opened as seven-point underdogs, but have the Tide’s attention. Few teams, if any, can tout the level of talented depth on Alabama’s roster, and no team can match the Tide’s depth along the defensive line. Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook was under constant duress, and the running game was nonexistent. “We had a good year and a good run, we have to come back and do it again and get the job done. The whole time we were here, it was total focus on winning the game”.
Howard never blinked about his blocking role during the last month of the regular season, which all goes back to Saban lauding this team’s disposition. That’s a bad sign for any opponent.
The Tide ran a Cover 2-type defense at times to stop that play. At the half, Alabama led 10-0.
McDowell at times grew frustrated, unable to explain how the Crimson Tide ran away in a game that appeared balanced through the midway point of the second quarter. Despite the fact that I had this as a close game, it wasn’t surprising to see the Crimson Tide perform like this.
Alabama’s Calvin Ridley gets his foot down for TD. It’s on me to go out there and make a pass that’s pinpoint accurate.
Alabama gave up only one 100-yard rushing game all season to Georgia’s Nick Chubb, but 83 of his 146 yards came on one play with just 10 seconds left in the game.
“It seems like he’s always coming up with huge plays for us”, Alabama’s Rimington Trophy center Ryan Kelly said. But Alabama has not only the strength but the speed to contain Watson and the Tigers’ skill players.
The humility in Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin’s voice was as honest as his offense was potent, unpredictable and balanced. No. I’m not insane.
Coker finished with career-highs for completions (25) and yards (286), hitting 83.3 percent of his passes and connecting with Calvin Ridley for a pair of scores.
Alabama had nine new starters on offense this season. Well, I’m not gonna say that, because obviously they beat us 38-zip. “We were still in a quarterback situation, rotating guys and figuring that out”.
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Defensively, both teams have excellent units and plenty of good individual playmakers.
