College Football Championship Game: #2 Clemson vs #1 Alabama, Jan 9th

[Latrell]

NCAA College Football Championship

#2 Clemson Tigers VS #1 Alabama Crimson Tide



January 9th, 2017

Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, FL

Watch on YouTube

Spoiler:

[bleu]

I'm curious what you all think about this game? Before last week I probably would have guessed it would be Bama easily, but Clemson looked rrrrreally good in the semi. And Alabama's offense could be suspect with Kiffin out, I'm not necessarily counting on that though. But I think this could be a very good game. I'm gonna go:

Bama 28
Clemson 24

[Latrell]

I'll either be overjoyed or severely clinically depressed at the end of this one.

[Cactus Jack]

I'll either be overjoyed or severely clinically depressed at the end of this one.

When's the last time you were this?

[Latrell]

As a Bama fan not in quite some time lol.

As for the other sports teams I root for...It's been a tough go

[Cactus Jack]

As a Bama fan not in quite some time lol.

As for the other sports teams I root for...It's been a tough go

I hear ya. I've had my fair share.

[Wannabe MEP]

Alabama is quite fairly the favorite, but Clemson absolutely can win this game.

Compare to the Clemson-Ohio State game: this is a similar kind of game. Alabama is like a better version of Ohio State: excellent defense, but not-so-elite on offense => they try to run a lot, and the QB is an elite running threat. But neither QB is that great a passer, and the offense can bog down against defenses that don't get overpowered. I wasn't expecting Clemson to shut out Ohio State; that makes me think they'll hold their own against the Alabama running game. Freshman QB may have to do more in the passing game than he's used to, against a solid D.

Compare to the Alabama-Washington game: Alabama D was able to consistently win the line of scrimmage with two safeties and a four-man rush. Deshaun Watson's mobility makes that much more complicated; he's run for like 10x the yardage Browning did this year. If they keep that scheme, he won't break out for 40-yard runs, but he'll slip out enough to keep the chains moving a lot more than Washington. If Alabama moves another man up to protect against Watson running, he'll beat them downfield some, but he'll have to do it in tight windows.

I think the story of the game is gonna be Watson making great things happen vs Watson turning the ball over. If the former happens enough to outweigh the latter, Clemson wins.

[OsuCavsfan103]

Anyone think the Clemson DT should be suspended for trying to grab OSU;s Curtis Samuels genitals? I don't get how people who could watch a man do that to another man clear as day, and just pass it off like people have. If that DT did that to a woman at a party, he would be arrested for sexual assault and kicked off the team.... yet bc he did it to a man unexpectedly in a football game, that's just passed as normal? At the very least he was trying to stick his fingers in his butt.

I mean WTF, who tries to grab another mans junk like that. The excuse of "That's just football" is not an excuse. That's fd up to me.

[goober]

go clemson!

[studcrackers]

Anyone think the Clemson DT should be suspended for trying to grab OSU;s Curtis Samuels genitals? I don't get how people who could watch a man do that to another man clear as day, and just pass it off like people have. If that DT did that to a woman at a party, he would be arrested for sexual assault and kicked off the team.... yet bc he did it to a man unexpectedly in a football game, that's just passed as normal? At the very least he was trying to stick his fingers in his butt.

I mean WTF, who tries to grab another mans junk like that. The excuse of "That's just football" is not an excuse. That's fd up to me.

Or he could be elected president

[OsuCavsfan103]

I think Clemson is a better team than last year, but Bama just doesn't lose. (aside from against by Buckeyes in 2015). They are just too fine tuned.

Will be another great game, Bama even may get down for a bit, but somehow their D will get another TD, and they will overcome it and win 28-21

[El Turco]

something about clemson coach makes me cringe

[studcrackers]

Not quite sure what to expect tonight. Gun to my head I pick bama cause they're Bama. But Clemson and Watson seem to have a tendency to shine brightest when the lights are on.

I think Watsons taken a bit of a step back this year but he shows up in these games. I also think their defense is better than last year.

On the other hand I do think this is Bama's best defense (if not best team) and that Jonathan Allen is perhaps the best player Saban has ever coached. That front 7 is ridiculous especially in the pass rush and I hear some people think Clemsons o-line might be a weak link, which spelled doom for the huskies as the game went on last week. Bamas best bet is to probably keep Watson contained and in the pocket.

The offense has me worried for the tide. I wasn't to bummed of Lane Kiffin's departure cause his game plan was absolute dogsh*t vs Washington. Part of it was the huskies D was really good, but there was 0 reason to get so cute when Bo Scarbrough should've had 30 carries. Another part of me wonders if once Bama got up 10 Saban was fine playing field position and not give to much away for his game plan this week. It still is a curious decision to just hand over the offense to college footbaw's resident drunk.

It'll definitely not be the high scoring game that was last year, and as a dude who wants Bama to win, I hope this doesn't come down to relying on Jalen Hurts arm. Or a Bama special teams play...although that proved to be the difference in last years game with the greatest onside kick of all time.

I guess I'll go Bama 27-21

[bleu]

After so many awful one-sided bowl games and an awful first round of the NFL playoffs, I'm just dying for a good game tonight. Honestly, I couldn't care less who wins. Either way is a good story. Just please, please, please for the love of football, don't let it be a blow out.

[bluejerseyjinx]

I've picked and had Clemson before the season started. I'm sticking with them. Should be a great game however.

[Latrell]

Steve Spurrier? Why?

[Latrell]

Like could you possibly have a worse guy to walk out in front of a Bama and Clemson crowd lol

[Latrell]

FOH with that 4th down attempt Clemson.

[Otis Driftwood]

Steve Spurrier? Why?

I chuckled when Manning got a few boos.

I laughed my ass off when Spurrier came out there.

[bleu]

Any of you guys watching the alternative channels that ESPN has for this game? I find the coaches film room one pretty interesting