Day 141

Fresh Start_141: A match made in heaven
Even though it’s late, here is my 2 cents about last night’s National Championship game. I will say it know, I called the rematch about 30 seconds after the clock hit zero last year when Bama won. These were clearly the 2 best teams in the country and the rematch was as clear as day to me. Dabo Sweeney himself called out his team to make it back to face Alabama in Tampa this year.

This team has disrespected by the media and other teams in the country and last night was the coming out party for the program that is Clemson Football. The reason I say program is due to the fact that the current team that won the National Championship game last night is getting gutted with the amount of talent that is on that squad. This year coming up is the most important year for Dabo Sweeney as a head coach. This is the year that makes Clemson a true power house in the country. This is the year that Dabo will have to recruit and stay atop the Top 25 in the country and make the playoff again.

Speaking of the playoff, I am a fan of the current playoff system. I would like to apologize for what I said about expanding, I like the current system. What I don’t like is the way the teams are chosen for the playoff. I am so happy Ohio State got annihilated by Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl, because they shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place. Washington should have played in the Fiesta Bowl, and Penn State should have played Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The result would be the same, but the technicality that this situation matters for the future, and that is all I will say about that.

The moment and the day belongs to Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers. This National Championship means so much to so many people, and I couldn’t be happier for the Clemson Tigers. The gives the guys that built lead up to this, credibility and validation for what they did. There is not a more deserving player to win a National Championship in his last game than Deshaun Watson. I knew Watson was the real deal when he beat Michigan in the Orange Bowl when Watson was a freshman 2 years ago. Watson had an incredible game last year in the title game last year, and one upped it this year. Watson went 36/56 for 420 yards, 3 touchdowns, no interceptions, and 43 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Hunter Renfrow, who stepped up last year in the title game against the Bama, and also one upped his performance last year. Renfrow had 10 catches for 92 yards and 2 scores. Mike Williams who is considered the best wide out in the entire country (who was suspended in last years’ National Championship Game) had an incredible game and not just on the stat sheet. Williams had 8 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. But, what the stat sheet doesn’t show is how Williams enabled Watson to throw other people open. Williams made Alabama use 2 men to cover him, which allowed Leggett and Renfrow to get open and be effective.

Let’s not forget to the grit that the Clemson defense showed tremendous grit not folding at any point in the game. Down 14 in the 1st quarter, the Clemson defense stayed true and confused a true freshman quarterback to a ton of 3 and outs. The Scarbrough injury was a bit of luck, but you still have to play. I love players like Ben Boulware who just wouldn’t quit at any point in the game. Boulware will be an excellent pro player.

I have a ton of respect for Nick Saban and his team, but this just wasn’t their game. Clemson wanted it more, and it showed throughout the second half. Alabama almost looked complacent with the game, and got caught with their hands down in the 4th quarter—mainly on defense. The offense did all they could, while the defense let the team down. The massive amount of penalties that the defense had is just a head scratcher for a team that was so disciplined on that side of the ball all year. All in all, it was a great game that included one of the most dramatic last drives and 5 minutes of play that I have seen. This game is by the best game in the playoff era, and is a campaign for Clemson and Alabama to play every year for the title (even though that won’t happen). Hats off to Clemson for a great readmission season, and I am excited to see what next year’s college football season has in store.
Sources:(espn.com)

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