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The CFB Playoff National Championship Game is Monday, January 9 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. I am going to take Alabama to win the title. Nick Saban, hands down, is one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. He's won 5 national championship titles which is why I am picking Alabama to win the National Championship Game.
BTW, Saban might make the college football hall of fame and he should be because of how successful he's done as a college coach.
Last edited by Jonathan Ashbeck; 01-02-2017 at 10:43 PM..
Sorry but bama escaped clemson this year,clemson wants revenge and they have deshaun watson(who should have won heisman) plus bama has problems stopping mobile qbs.
Clemson will win but its gonna be VERY tough match
Clemson had Alabama's defense on its heels the entire game last year and towards the end, had their tongues hanging out. I don't think that anyone can argue that a surprise onside kick was the difference in that game.
I'd be surprised if anyone is expecting the Over (Last I saw 54 points was the over/under).. Clemson's defense can step up quite a bit, especially against the run.. While their pass defense tends to suck pretty bad at times. I get ticked off every time they wind up with a pass interference where they didn't even turn around to make a play on the ball. And it happens quite a bit.. But.. You also look at it as it's better to give up the 15 yards than an 80 yard TD.
The inexperience of Alabama's offense is the lynchpin here, IMO. Alabama's defense, especially early on, will settle in and make some stops.. But unless Alabama's offense can really step up.. I don't see them putting more than 14 points on the board. Assume the defense contributes a score.. I still think Clemson can put more points up. 24-21 or somewhere in that range is my expectation.
I do think it's an advantage to Alabama that Kiffin won't be OC. That's why I'm thinking the offense gets 14 points.
And... Every loss and/or close game Alabama has had the past 3 years or so has been against a very mobile QB.
Clemson had Alabama's defense on its heels the entire game last year and towards the end, had their tongues hanging out. I don't think that anyone can argue that a surprise onside kick was the difference in that game.
I'd be surprised if anyone is expecting the Over (Last I saw 54 points was the over/under).. Clemson's defense can step up quite a bit, especially against the run.. While their pass defense tends to suck pretty bad at times. I get ticked off every time they wind up with a pass interference where they didn't even turn around to make a play on the ball. And it happens quite a bit.. But.. You also look at it as it's better to give up the 15 yards than an 80 yard TD.
The inexperience of Alabama's offense is the lynchpin here, IMO. Alabama's defense, especially early on, will settle in and make some stops.. But unless Alabama's offense can really step up.. I don't see them putting more than 14 points on the board. Assume the defense contributes a score.. I still think Clemson can put more points up. 24-21 or somewhere in that range is my expectation.
I do think it's an advantage to Alabama that Kiffin won't be OC. That's why I'm thinking the offense gets 14 points.
Agreed.
I think the key for Alabama will be to get their defense off the field early (no easy task). If they can get Watson off the field, and pound away with their running game, then they'll be in a good position to win. Bama will need to stay on schedule in the run game and keep the down and distance manageable. If Clemson LB's start shooting gaps and hitting them for losses, or if Hurts is getting sacked, they are going to be in for a long night.
I think the danger for Alabama this year compared to last year is their lack of depth on the defensive front. If Clemson is able to establish any type of rhythm, and trap Bama's D on the field on extended drives, then their chances of success plummet. On the flipside, Clemson's defensive line appears to not only be fierce, but also deep.
Bama's defense needs to be special, as usual. They don't have anything close to the offensive firepower to throw down with Clemson like they did in '16.
It was earlier in the season, but Chad Kelly lit up this Alabama defense and put up 43 points on them. With Chad Kelly at QB, Ole Miss has always played Bama tough. Even if Deshawn Watson plays a little worse than Kelly, the Clemson defense is definately better than the Ole Miss defense. We saw Clemsons full defensive potential on New Year's Eve
some of you look at a few impressive wins Clemson may have had this year .. i look at their near misses .. how did they look in a 6 point win over auburn ? or a 6 point win over mighty troy ..and an equally impressive 6 point squeaking by of a not really good Louisville team with an overrated QB ..or that loss they should have gotten if the NC state guy could have made a 30 yard field goal .. how did they look beating Florida State by three ? where was this stellar defense against mighty Pitt ?.. yeah !! they looked good against several really bad teams but not so much against stiff competition .. do you know who played as Deshawn Watson in every bama practice leading up to last years game ? it was Jalen Hurts .. some of you say Clemson won the game last year just not the score .. i say they played way over their heads ..
some of you look at a few impressive wins Clemson may have had this year .. i look at their near misses .. how did they look in a 6 point win over auburn ? or a 6 point win over mighty troy ..and an equally impressive 6 point squeaking by of a not really good Louisville team with an overrated QB ..or that loss they should have gotten if the NC state guy could have made a 30 yard field goal .. how did they look beating Florida State by three ? where was this stellar defense against mighty Pitt ?.. yeah !! they looked good against several really bad teams but not so much against stiff competition .. do you know who played as Deshawn Watson in every bama practice leading up to last years game ? it was Jalen Hurts .. some of you say Clemson won the game last year just not the score .. i say they played way over their heads ..
..........."of a not really good Louisville team "....
You seem to forget that Louisville was the " darling " of many sports commentators and they believed Louisville was going to make the 4 team championship.
(Just ask Chris Fowler )
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