For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide and Clemson University's Tigers have faced each other in the College Football Playoff. Three of those times included the championship game, which included Monday's matchup at Santa Clara, California. Everyone wondered if these were the only two institutions of learning in America capable of playing championship football in this decade.
The final was Clemson 44, Alabama 16. It was the Tigers' second title in three years, beating a Crimson Tide team that had been the best in America for most of the fall, and the envy of most other college football programs under coach Nick Saban.
Clemson's defense capitalized on many Tide mistakes and, through the arm of freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence (three touchdowns and over 300 yards passing), outshone Alabama's star QB Tua Tagovalova. It was an impressive end to a season that saw the Tigers go 15-0, something that hasn't been done in 121 years.
After running through their conference schedules, the Tigers beat Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl, and the Tide won a shootout over Oklahoma 45-34 in the Orange Bowl. These semifinal games were held on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's, as ESPN keeps trying to convince viewers to watch bowl games on days other than January 1. So far, it's had the effect of being lumped in with all the other Your Name Here bowl games, with ratings to match.
Now it's Clemson's turn to shine with a bright future apparently in sight, while Alabama coach Saban will simply go back to the drawing board and reload for another shot at the title. Given the flawed state of college football, it would surprise no one if these schools met for the fifth time for the national championship.
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