The third time in four seasons
For the third time in four seasons, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers battled it out for all the marbles in the National Championship Game. The series had previously been tied at 1-1 in these title games, but on Monday night Clemson broke the tie with a blowout 44-16 win.
The game got off to a red-hot start as 21 points were scored before five minutes of game clock had ticked away. The two teams continued trading haymakers throughout the first half, but Clemson went into the locker room with a 31-16 lead.
Then fans were “treated” to a halftime show that was widely panned.
The second half provided more of the same. Clemson just had a better overall team, played an extremely disciplined game and its stars showed up on the biggest stage of them all.
These were the biggest takeaways from the National Championship Game.
Saban’s the GOAT, but Dabo is building an incredible legacy
Listen, Monday’s loss doesn’t in any way detract from the legendary legacy that Nick Saban has established at Alabama. Last year, he tied the great Bear Bryant with his sixth national championship victory, and chances are he’ll win at least one more before he’s finished. He’s the GOAT.
But his opponent, Dabo Swinney, is doing everything he can to one day challenge Saban for that title. When he became the head coach midway through the 2008 season, Swinney took over a program that hadn’t posted double-digit wins since the 1990 campaign. After a few years, he built up enough credibility to get things rolling, and it’s been a crazy ride ever since.
Now with two titles under his belt in the last three seasons, the 49-year-old is well on his way to creating the kind of legacy his key rival has already built up.
Brent Venables is a genius
The best defensive coordinator in college football, Brent Venables called a masterful game on Monday. Even without his star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence — out on suspension due to a failed drug test — he dialed up play after play that stifled ‘Bama’s mighty offense.
Both first-half interceptions thrown by Tua Tagovailoa were on plays in which the sophomore quarterback was confused by the coverage — both being zone plays disguised as man-to-man coverage. Venables continually brought timely blitzes and seemed to really just have Alabama’s number all game long.
The Tide missed Christian Miller
Alabama linebacker Christian Miller hurt his hamstring playing in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. He worked out on the field before the game but ultimately wasn’t able to play on Monday.
A player who practically lives in the backfield of opposing offenses, Miller had 11 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 14 games this season. Alabama struggled to bring consistent pressure against Trevor Lawrence in the National Championship Game. Clearly, the Crimson Tide missed having Miller in the lineup.
Trevor Lawrence is NFL-ready
It’s insane. Trevor Lawrence was playing high school ball last year. He’s 19 years old. But he sure doesn’t play like it. It’s not just his pure arm strength or athleticism that stands out, either. Under the brightest lights possible at the college level, this kid had ice water in his veins. He didn’t get rattled once going against the top team in the nation.
Lawrence’s exploits in the National Championship Game started early when he connected with Tee Higgins on a 62-yard strike. The ball could not have been placed more perfectly if he were standing alongside his teammate. That pass set the tone for what was a masterful performance. Lawrence helped his team put the game away in the third quarter with a clutch 74-yard touchdown to Justyn Ross that he delivered while being hit (watch here).
All told, this true freshman passed for 347 yards on 22-of-34 attempts with three touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s crazy to think that he’s still got two more years at college before he can declare for the NFL draft — if he was eligible this year he’d easily be the top quarterback taken.
Tua had a rough night
Tua Tagovailoa ran into a veritable brick wall against Clemson.
He missed some key throws, including his interceptions. The first interception was one he’ll have nightmares about — a horrible pick-six that never should have left his hand. The second was a poor read into double-coverage deep down the field and it was overthrown, to boot.
Tagovailoa was under so much pressure that his normal rhythm never got established — he was constantly scrambling to find some breathing room and was not processing the blitz well.
The biggest problem is that, because Alabama’s offensive line was struggling to protect Tagovailoa, and because he was struggling to read the field, the Tide had to keep running the ball even when they were down by a large margin in the second half.
And while there were some huge explosive plays (like this) for the most part Tagovailoa was unable to consistently complete passes downfield. Ultimately he was replaced in the fourth quarter by Jalen Hurts, who also did not have any success.
Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins absolutely owned ‘Bama’s O-line
Alabama’s offensive line may not be as impressive this year as we’ve seen in the past, but it’s still one heck of a unit that’s done an outstanding job all year of protecting Tagovailoa and paving running lanes for the team’s backs.
On Monday night, left tackle Jonah Williams was constantly getting beaten off the edge by Clelin Ferrell. The Clemson star models his game after Aldon Smith and looked a heck of a lot like the former star. His teammate, Wilkins, was equally as dominant wrecking plays behind the line from inside.
These two star defensive linemen absolutely changed the game.
Brace yourself for more of the same next season
Folks, believe it or not both of these teams could be even better next season. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, ‘Bama currently has the No. 1 recruiting class in 2019, and Clemson checks in at No. 6 overall, per 247 Sports.
These two programs are so far and above the rest of the fray it’s unbelievable. Both Tagovailoa and Lawrence will be back under center with yet another season of experience under their belts. Both head coaches are maniacs about preparation and are master motivators.
Before this season began, pretty much everyone expected Alabama and Clemson to meet up in the National Championship Game. They did. Don’t be surprised if it happens again next year, too.
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