Alabama wins 11th national title
The Alabama Crimson Tide were supposed to beat the Clemson Tigers, despite the latter being undefeated. While the score was not exactly what most Crimson Tide fans would expect, the result was familiar.
With a 45-40 victory, Alabama was able to clinch its 11th national championship and the fourth of the Nick Saban era. For Saban, it was his fifth overall, putting him one behind the legendary Bear Bryant who won a half dozen with the Tide. Could this be Saban’s last game with Alabama before turning to the professional ranks once more? Perhaps, and if it is, what a wonderful way to go out.
In typical Alabama fashion, it was Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry who was the focal point of the offense. In a day and age in college football where teams throw the ball 50 times before the half, the Crimson Tide turned to its star running back and watched Henry take the ball on 36 occasions for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
Under center, senior quarterback Jake Coker was getting the job done throughout the evening. Coker only threw the ball 25 times but completed 16 throws for 335 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception. The main target was tight end O.J. Howard, who absolutely exploded for five catches and 208 yards with a pair of scores.
Perhaps the key play in the game cam with Alabama and Clemson tied at 27 in the early stages of the fourth quarter. After hitting a game-tying field goal, kicker Adam Griffith executed a surprise onside kick, a play which led to the Crimson Tide taking a lead which it would never relinquish.
In the final analysis, Alabama once again walks away with the hardware. The Crimson Tide were the best team for much of the college football season, and could not be derailed despite the tremendous effort by Clemson. The Tigers got all kinds of great play from defensive lineman Shaq Lawson and quarterback Deshaun Watson, who threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns. Even with those performances and much more, the Alabama juggernaut could not be stopped.
For the Tigers, it is now about the future. Clemson is a great team and a young one, probably even the favorite in 2016 under head coach Dabo Swinney. Yet, tonight and the present is about Alabama and a program that knows no bounds when it comes to manufacturing wins. The Crimson Tide is supposed to be the defensive stalwarts who win ugly, but in the biggest game of the season, Alabama ripped off 45 points.
After losing to Ole Miss early in the season, many believed Alabama was nothing more than an afterthought. After the national championship game, most now wonder when the reign of the Crimson Tide will ever come to an end.
