2017 College Football Playoff National Championship: Alabama vs. Clemson

2017 College Football National Championship Alabama and Clemson

As far as college football goes, there is nothing bigger than the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship. On Monday, January 9, 2017, it will be between Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Head Coaches and Mild Alabama Offensive Coordinator Controversy

Nick Saban coaches the Alabama Crimson Tide, and Dabo Swinney coaches the Clemson Tigers. Some controversy may be said of the Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who accepted a job as the head coach of Florida-Atlantic University, and will not be on the field for this National Championship game. His replacement is Steve Sarkisian, who will be coaching on the sidelines, and this is the first time he has called plays since 2014 and being clean from alcohol abuse. Sarkisian took a break from coaching to undergo rehab for substance/alcohol abuse. The Los Angeles times has reported many alcohol incidents during his head coaching at Washington. In comparison, when Kirby Smart was announced as Georgia's head coach, he finished out the post-season play as Alabama's defensive coordinator before assuming his new position at Georgia.

2017 College Football Playoff National Championship: Alabama vs. Clemson

Monday night's game is a rematch between two talented college football programs. As Dabo Swinney said after his win over Ohio State, Clemson has set itself up as an elite football program. And most fans of college football would agree that Alabama is already the best college football program in the nation, seeing post season play almost every year, thanks to the coaching from Nick Saban, and the great athletes that are recruited by his program.

As you can see below, Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney are both in the top three for coaches with the best win percentage for coaches at the same school since 2008 (ESPN).

Statistic: If Alabama wins on Monday night against Clemson, it will be the first team in college football history to finish a football season 15-0 (wins/losses). Source: SEC Country

Alabama Crimson Tide's Biggest Threat is Deshaun Watson

Alabama's biggest threat in Monday night's game is the Clemson quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Last year, he was able to score 40 in Clemson's loss to Alabama. Deshaun was able to throw for 405 yards, with only 1 interception, and he ran the ball for 73 yards.

Alabama's defensive play forces the opposing team's quarterback of playing a perfect game, and Deshaun Watson is capable of playing great under pressure.

Steve Sarkisian needs to run the ball more than Lane Kiffin

While Jalen Hurts has been playing exceptionally well for a true freshman quarterback, Alabama fans are voicing that they want to see Steve Sarkisian run more plays that involve Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, and Joshua Jacobs in running the ball down the field.

Sugar Bowl Recap: The Crimson Tide Died Against Oklahoma Sooners

Bryant-Denny Stadium: Home of the Alabama Crimson Tide

A.J. McCarron threw three interceptions in his final game in an Alabama Crimson Tide uniform Thursday January 02, 2013, losing to the Oklahoma Sooners 45-31 in the Sugar Bowl.

All Alabama Crimson Tide fans are in a state of mourning, and they should be. The Tide fell, and they didn't go down fighting very well in the Sugar Bowl.

The Oklahoma Sooners Lay a Good Ole Whoopin' on Alabama Crimson Tide

The Oklahoma Sooners scored off of every turnover that A.J. McCarron threw on Thursday night at the Sugar Bowl. Most analysts give the Oklahoma Sooners credit for playing a near perfect game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Anyone familiar with the Alabama Crimson Tide knows that coach Nick Saban demands perfection, and will ride players for little inconsistencies and minor mistakes. But now, the season is over, and there's only next football season to get better, unless you are an Auburn Tigers fan. Auburn fans have an opportunity to see their season end with another National Championship. The SEC is depending on Auburn to maintain their tradition in National Champions.

A.J. McCarron Ends Alabama Crimson Tide Career With Two Losses

Many Alabama fans around the water-cooler wonder why Alabama focused so much on their passing game, versus their running game. Some Crimson Tide fans think it was because it was because they wanted A.J. McCarron to go out with a bang. Well, "Bang!" the Tide died at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners.

A.J. McCarron ends his 38 game career at Alabama with two losses. First to Auburn, then to Oklahoma, with a final W-L record of 36-2. Not bad, but not in a way that any Alabama player wants to end their college football career on.

So many Auburn fans point out that the Alabama Crimson Tide was supposed to be the obvious win over Oklahoma - and they were. But something happened. The Tide fell short, and fell harder than at the Iron Bowl in their last loss to Auburn.

Even Nick Saban admitted that Alabama did not play well on defense in the first half. Well, Duh!

Sugar Bowl Record Broken by Oklahoma Sooners

Quarterback Trevor Knight of the Oklahoma Sooners grabbed the spotlight with 32 completions out of 44 attempts - a Sugar Bowl record - with 348 yards across four touchdowns.

Image credit: Flickr Creative Commons; by James Willamor

Notre Dame is Number 1 in BCS for First Time in History

Angry Notre Dame Linebacker, Manti Te'o

Notre Dame is having a great season. For the first time in Notre Dame History, it is ranked #1 in the BCS standings. That is something to be proud of.

The only downside to such an accomplishment may be the beating they will receive if they play #2 ranked Alabama in Miami on January 7, 2013.

Alabama moved up to #2 after an answered prayer for many Crimson Tide fans. Their beloved team jumped two spots after the unthinkable happened – both undefeated Oregon and Kansas State lost to opponents. If you are an Oregon Duck or Kansas State Wildcat, there’s always next year.

There is talk in the air that Notre Dame Linebacker Manti Te’o from Hawaii looks like a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, which will be picked before the outcome of the BCS National Championship game.

Isn’t College football great?

Notre Dame plays USC in Los Angeles in their final regular season game. This game will decide their ultimate fate.

Alabama has it easy playing loss-heavy Auburn in the Iron Bowl, then Georgia in the SEC Championship.

Florida (current #4 in BCS standings) plays Florida State in their final game.

If Notre Dame was to lose against USC, then prepare yourself for another All SEC National Championship game between Alabama and Florida.

Will Manti Te’o and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish get their chance at glory against A.J. McCarron and the Alabama Crimson Tide?

We will find out on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

No.1 Ranked Alabama Loses to No. 15 Texas A&M

Texas A&M football players celebrating a touchdown in Alabama endzone

The unthinkable happened to the Alabama Crimson Tide on 11/10/12. They lost a football game. All Alabama fans are in a panic, because until now, we had our eyes set on a National Championship.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M quarterback is looking like a hero as he threw 2 touchdowns against the behemoth, Alabama. But who said the football giant couldn't be slayed? David slayed Goliath with only a sling and a rock.

Most importantly, this was probably Alabama's last competitive team of the season with the Texas A&M Aggies. The only games remaining after this one was with Western Carolina and then Auburn. Auburn has the worst record in years, and are having trouble beating their own practice team. I'm sure this loss to Texas A&M gives Auburn some hope, considering that Gene Chizik's job is on the line.

After this game, the Alabama Crimson Tide are now (9-1), but don't count them out.

You must remember that last year, Alabama lost 1 game to the LSU Tigers, skipped the SEC Conference game completely, played LSU again, and won the National Championship.

Can Alabama pull off something like that again?

We will see.

One thing is for certain. Oregon will most likely become the new number 1 team, as Notre Dame and Kansas State join the Ducks as the only undefeated teams left.

This is no doubt a sad day for Alabama fans as they lose their first game in a long stretch of W's.

SEC fans everywhere are now scratching their heads wondering why we even invited Texas A&M into our conference. I know A.J. McCarron is probably crying about the loss (see pics) in the locker room. He has a right to cry if he wants to.

There's always next year for Nick Saban, because this one is starting to look like a loss.

Alabama Barely Beats LSU 21 - 17 in Final Two Minutes

Emotional Alabama Quarterback A.J. McCarron crying at LSU game

The #1 ranked college football team in the nation - the Alabama Crimson Tide - almost lost to #5 ranked LSU on Saturday night (11/03/12) in Death Valley. The game literally came down to the last 2 minutes. And anyone that has played football knows that football teams practice 2 minute drills ruthlessly for moments like this.

The score was LSU 17, AL 14, and the clock was under 2 minutes to play. Alabama's A.J. McCarron knew that this game was riding on his shoulders. Play after play, he remained cool as he threw the ball for 1st downs, eeking away the yards until Alabama was able to score their final touchdown. One misstep, and the game would have been in the hands of the LSU Tigers.

Many Alabama fans were nervously watching as their #1 team risked the chance of losing everything they worked so hard for this season. One fan even posted on Facebook, "No matter the outcome of the AL-LSU game, I hope one of these teams goes to the National Championship game." And now it most certainly looks like Alabama will retain the #1 spot in the rankings.

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This has been the closest game by far for the Alabama Crimson Tide in their regular season play.

A.J. McCarron could be seen in the final seconds on the bench crying, and that is understandable. This was a huge moment for Alabama football. He knew that he could've lost it all here at LSU, but yet remained victorious. After this game, there is no doubt that someone on Alabama's team will win the Heisman this year. There is no doubt about it, and right now it looks like A.J. McCarron has pretty good chances at winning the Heisman trophy.

Final score: Alabama 21 LSU 17

More Pictures of A.J. McCarron crying:

A.J. McCarron crying, embracing fellow Alabama teammate

A.J. McCarron gets a comforting hair fluff from Norwood; odd?

One final cry for A.J. McCarron before sealing the victory

After the game, A.J. McCarron gave plenty of praise to his teammates and coaches for all of the hard work that made a game like this possible. LSU was a big contender, and was the closest game for Alabama this football season.

2013 College Football AL beats LSU

On November 9, 2013, AL beats LSU 38 - 17.

2014 College Football AL beats LSU

In 2014, Alabama beats LSU 20 - 13 in overtime.