Clemson v. Bama in the CFP - Who Do You Pick and Why?

Clemson. Because do we really need another off-season filled with yammer about how great Saban and the unstoppable Bama machine ate?

I think Clemson will win and I think it is MUCH better for college football if they do. The two recruiting powerhouses right now are Alabama and Alabama North (OSU) and it isn't that close. It's important to realize that when it comes to the talent available to all schools is a finite thing. So the best thing for Michigan and college football is for some of that talent to be spread around a bit more, especially for a school like Michigan which has a great developer in Jim Harbaugh. If Saban and Meyer are losing some 5 and 4 star talent to schools like Clemson and others around the country the playing field gets leveled a bit more and we aren't looking at an NFL team on the field in Tuscaloosa.

Now on the field tonight: Clemson's DL is going to handle the run and they will make Hurts pass the ball. Carlos Watkins and Dexter Lawrence will be all over Hurts and as long as he is contained for the most part it won't be pretty for Bama. Scarborough is not going to just run over a big team like that as he usually does. And on the other side of the ball it's going to be Watson to Williams all night long. The game will still be close but Clemson has the matchup edge in the key areas. As long as they don't make huge special teams mistakes Clemson will win this game and with a poor offensive performance Saban may get a small amount of criticism or second-guessing for the way he handled the OC duties for this game, timing, etc.

My brain tells me Alabama. Better overall team, better coach. They're just bigger, faster and stronger in almost every phase of the game. 

But I'm still taking Clemson. 

Clemson has been eyeing and praying for a rematch ever since this time last year. Now they have it, and they are playing their best football. They're all a year older and a year better. This team has thought of nothing else but Alabama. And Deshaun Watson, as we saw last year, is one of the few QBs out there that can beat an Alabama defense. He did it almost all by himself last year. And I think he will put on another performance for the ages tonight. 

Clemson's defense will be the first one to really consistently rattle Hurts this year, and you can tell he'll be uncomfortable at times. Alabama won't stay down forever though, and they'll get things going in the second half with a few big plays. But Watson will just do too much for them to overcome

I could just as easily see this going the other way, but my final prediction:

Clemson - 35

Alabama - 31

Honestly, as long as its not Alabama winning 49-10, I don't care what happens. Would just like to see a good game. Too many title games (minus last year and FSU-Auburn) in recent memory have been absolute stinkers. 

All feelingsball: Clemson 31, Bama 23. All the feelz.

Both teams are dirty.  I guess we will see which team gets the best ROI from paying their players.  Clemson in a close one, 35-31.

Sadly, I think we are in for a 41-14 type situation. Bama. 

I think this year's game will be lower scoring than last year due to improved defenses on both sides.  Final score 24-20.  Not sure who will win but I like Clemson to cover the 6.5 point spread.  I am hoping Clemson wins.  I guess I hate them less.

go Clemson....ruin that stupid season

I just hope whoever loses gets crushed by 40 points.  That way I get to see at least one slimeball go home in tears.

The devastated hurt-puppy look on either Dabo's or Saban's face will make it all worthwhile.

A sea of either Orange or Red Surrender Corbras on their toothless fans will be quite pleasant too.

 

 

I'm done with Bama. I'm also done with this season. Bama did their job and beat Washington. Now it's time for them to go die tonight by our new Tiger friends who embarrassed our least favoriite team. I'm done with Saban, and I would love to see Paul Finebaum get shocked on the SEC Network right in front of everyone watching that part of the Megacast. I'm also mad about not getting a big recruit that we didn't even want. Why am I upset? It makes no sense. But I hope that diva enjoys Alabama losing and then living deep in their depth chart while studying at that university instead of actually playing at Michigan and being able to attend the University of Michigan. GO TIGERS!!!

A sink hole.

GO Tigers!

That's right, I live in South Carolina so have made Clemson my in state favorite team. That said I'm all blue first and foremost. I like tradition and Clemson has some good college traditions unlike the chicken loving team that is in-state.

Plus one of my nephews is in the Clemson marching band so its a family thing as well. 

Being in the heart of SEC country I can say I can't stand any of the SEC teams so would love to see Bama go down in flames. Every SEC fan loves to pick up the mantle of whichever SEC team is winning and carry it as their own. I couldn't imagine cheering for OSU or MSU like they're my favorite team just because they're B1G. Makes no sense to me.

That defense. They need to unleash number nine. Go Tiger's.