(Credit image to Associated Press/David J. Phillip)
The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers en route to national championship #16 last night in Arizona. The 45-40 victory came after what has to be considered the greatest championship game since the 2006 Rose Bowl, and was chock full of excitement.
Both teams showed tremendous heart and an insatiable thirst for the championship. We came away from the game with indisputable reassurance that these were clearly the two best college football teams on the planet.
In the end, Alabama was on the winning side of the game’s signature moments – an unforeseen onside kick, a Kenyan Drake punt return touchdown, and a couple of OJ Howard touchdowns that came as the result of busted coverage.
Takeaways:
1. Alabama can boast the two greatest college football coaches of all time.
I’m sorry to offend fans of anyone else, but Nick Saban and and Bear Bryant are the greatest college football coaches of all time. That’s it – end of discussion. Roll Tide.
2. Deshaun Watson is really good.
This game was set up for Watson to take over a la Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl. The Heisman Trophy Finalist couldn’t get the job done, but there’s no denying he put his full heart, effort, and talent on display on the national stage. He carried the Tigers on his back.
3. No one can adapt and adjust quite like Nick Saban.
One of Saban’s greatest strengths is his willingness to adapt “the process” to the needs of his players and keeping it fresh and dynamic. Four years ago, if you would’ve told me Saban would go for an onside kick in the fourth quarter of a tied National Championship game, I would’ve laughed in your face. Alas, Saban flopped his balls out on the field and seized control of the game.
4. The team bus left Lane Kiffin at the stadium.
Let’s not kid ourselves, here – for all that Kiffin has done in the past, this is the slightest thing karma could do to remind him to not be a douche. Thankfully, Coach Saban was there to give him a lift.
5. Gambling is still gambling, folks.
My heart goes out to the people who bet Alabama to cover the spread. Las Vegas is estimating that a staggering $10 million shifted in the final minute of last night’s game when Clemson scored a late touchdown.
6. OJ Howard is going to skyrocket up draft boards.
You don’t get much opportunity to make plays when you’re a tight end in Alabama’s offense, but Howard was undoubtedly the secret weapon for the Crimson Tide. With 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns, expect him to vault from a third-fourth rounder to a second, borderline first round draft pick.
7. Derrick Henry is Andre the Giant in shoulder pads.
This picture….I can’t even….
8. “Clemsoning” is officially dead.
2015 marked the Clemson Tigers getting the proverbial monkey off of their backs. No longer is Dabo Swinney’s squad going to be assumed to choke in big games. They very clearly took the next step and became an elite program this season. Georgia fans are undoubtedly hoping Kirby Smart will invoke such change for the Bulldogs program.
9. White shirt guy is a budding star.
This is pure gold – who is this man? He’s not a coach. He’s certainly not a player. He’s just a dude with a sideline pass, flexing in Deshaun Watson’s face when he fails to score on a two point conversion.
10. 2016 presents some interesting challenges for both teams.
Alabama will have to replace the bulk of its’ transcendental defensive line, a front seven some have called the greatest d-line of all time, and maybe even their Heisman-winning running back. Not to mention – the team will open the season in Arlington, TX opposite an emerging USC program, and will have road games against Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee, and LSU.
As for Clemson, you’ve finally had the breakthrough season you’ve been on the cusp of for years. How do you respond to the championship expectations that will undoubtedly come with the success of 2015? Deshaun Watson is returning, but what does he do for an encore? Clemson’s quest for back-to-back ACC Championships starts September 3rd at Auburn.
Fall can’t get here fast enough.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo
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