Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (Final)

Alabama's defense holds one more time, and the Tide roll into the National Championship Game.  They also win the Peach Bowl.

Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (1:53 left in 4th Quarter)

On fourth and 1, Washington's defense swarms Bo Scarbrough for a three-yard loss.  The Huskies will start from their own 45.

Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (4:35 left in 4th Quarter)

Washington gets one first down, but then Alabama's defense rises up and throws them back.  On fourth and 20, Washington punts to the Alabama 37.

Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (7:07 left in 4th Quarter)

With Alabama up 17, the team of Levy and Griese thought that Alabama would try to run off some clock.  Instead, Lane Kiffin dials up two passes -- neither of which come close to being complete.  This is not surprising -- Jalen Hurts is 7-14 for only 57 yards in this game.  Griese tells us that this leads to some angry remarks from Nick Saban to Lane Kiffin, and suggests that this sort of thing may explain why Kiffin will be moving on after the season.  But the bottom line is that Alabama punts and the Huskies will start from their own 21.

Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (8:12 left in 4th Quarter)

But Alabama's defense holds.  Facing a 4th and 13, the Huskies punt all the way down to the Alabama 20.

Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (10:16 left in 4th Quarter)

Washington converts a third down, and they have a first down at their own 28.

Alabama 24 - 7 Washington (11:56 left in 4th Quarter)

OK, so here's what happened.

From its own two, Alabama tried two runs and gained one yard.

On 3d and 9 at the 3, Washington was expecting a pass.  But Alabama gave the ball to Bo Scarbrough, and he dashed 12 yards for a first down.

Then Jalen Hurts (of Channelview H.S. in Channelview, Tex.) zipped a 16-yard pass, moving the ball out to the 31.

Then Hurts rushed for 1 yard.

And then, on 2d and 9 from their own 32, the Tide gave the ball to Scarbrough again.  This time, he shook off a few would-be tacklers -- and then suddenly broke into the clear!  The Huskies scrambled desperately trying to stop him, but Scarbrough ran with the fervor of a man who finally saw open field in front of him.  When the play was over, he had gone SIXTY-EIGHT YARDS, and the Tide had its third touchdown of the game.

Here's Scarbrough's line for the day so far:  14 carries for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns.  That's pretty good.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (14:50 left in 4th Quarter)

Washington throws an incomplete pass on 3d and 3.  With Brian Griese screaming for Washington to go for it on fourth down, the Huskies come out as if they intend to do so.  But then Downing goes back and punts.  It's a PERFECT PUNT -- it rolls out of bounds at the Alabama 2.  The Tide will start from there.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (15 minutes left in 4th Quarter)

The Huskies pick up a big 3d and 9 to keep their drive alive.  The quarter ends with Washington facing a 3d and 3 from its own 48.

After three quarters, Alabama has 210 yards.  Washington has 155.  But Washington has the ball.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (2:32 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama runs the ball three times, and nets zero yards.  Alabama's punt goes into the end zone, but Alabama is called for holding, so Washington will start from its own 30.  This is by far the best field position Washington has had in awhile.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (4:31 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama holds Washington to another three and out, and the Huskies punt to the Washington 48.  The Tide will start from there.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (6:05 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama makes one first down, but then its drive collapses in a dropped pass, a fumble (which Alabama barely recovers), and two penalties.  However, the Tide gets off a good punt, which pins Washington back to its own 9.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (10:04 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama's defense holds, and Washington is forced to punt from its own 15.  The Washington punter, Tristan Vizcaino (of Damien H.S. in Chino Hills, Calif.) hits these weird knuckleball punts.  But they tend to take Washington bounces.  This one bounds over the head of an Alabama receiver and rolls to the Tide 33.  Alabama will start from there.

Meanwhile, ESPN is telling the story of the 1926 Rose Bowl.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (12:10 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama came out like a house afire, with a first down run all the way to the Washington 42.  But the Huskies defense held, with help from two disastrous penalties that turned a 3d and 7 into a 3d and 17.  The Tide drive stalls at the Husky 40, and the punt goes into the end zone.  A great opportunity wasted, and Washington will start from its own 20.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (14:56 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama runs the kickoff out to the 25, and they will start from there.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (Halftime)

Washington runs out the clock, but never comes close to scoring.

In the first half, Washington had 145 total yards, to 138 for Alabama.  But in the second quarter, Washington had two turnovers, and those two turnovers led to 10 points for Alabama.  Right now, those 10 points are the difference between the two teams.

Alabama will get the kickoff to start the second half.

Alabama 17 - 7 Washington (1:13 left in 2d Quarter)

Oh, the Huskies would like to have this one back.  On 2d and 10 from its own 32, the Huskies called what appeared to be a safe screen pass.  But Browning was under immediate pressure -- and when he threw the screen pass, Ryan Anderson was there to snatch the ball away from for the Tide.  Mr. Anderson, a linebacker from Daphne H.S. in Daphne, Ala., then dashed 26 yards for a PICK SIX, and the Tide has finally gotten the second touchdown that their offense could not pick up.

The kickoff goes into the end zone, and Washington will start from its own 25.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (1:33 left in 2d Quarter)

Washington has moved the ball out to its own 29, where the Huskies face a 3d and 1.  They call time, and then they sneak the ball out to the 32 for a first down.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (2:16 left in 2d Quarter)

Alabama charged down to the Washington 28, but then were hurled back by an intentional grounding penalty and two other solid plays.  They are forced to punt.  And the ball is downed at the Husky 4.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (4:44 left in 2d Quarter)

For the third straight time, Washington goes three and out.  This time, Washington's punt is downed at the Alabama 44.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (5:48 left in 2d Quarter)

A great stand by the Washington defense, who hold Alabama to another three-and-out.  This time the punt goes into the end zone, so the Huskies will start from their own 20.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (7:20 left in 1st Quarter)

The Huskies go three and out, and their punt goes out of bounds at their own 45.  So the Tide gained a few yards on that exchange.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (8:54 left in 2d Quarter)

Alabama gets two first downs, but their drive stalls at the Tide 49.  So they punt to the Husky 9.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (12:41 left in 2d Quarter)

Alabama's defense has a great series -- driving Washington back to its own 17 in three plays.  But on 4th and 18, Washington gets off a punt and hits -- and rolls all the way down to the Alabama 21.  The Tide will take over from there.

By the way, we're watching this game on ESPN, and listening to Steve Levy's broadcast on ESPN Radio.  Levy is a solid pro, and he is doing a fine job.  I think Brian Griese is doing the commentary.  Amazingly, these same two guys called the Orange Bowl on ESPN television last night, and that game didn't end until almost midnight.

Alabama 10 - 7 Washington (14:55 left in 2d Quarter)

Adam Griffith (of Calhoun H.S. in Calhoun, Ga.) boots a 41-yard field goal to put Alabama into the lead for the first time today.

The kickoff goes into the end zone, and Washington will start from its own 25.

Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (37 seconds left in 1st Quarter)

Attacking again with their quick running attack, the Tide charged down to the Husky 19, where they had a 3d and 1.  But the Tide were called for offsides, giving them a 3d and 6 at the 24.  So Alabama called time.

Alabama then tried a running play, which picked up only one yard.  Fourth down.

Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (2:22 left in 1st Quarter)

Washington had made two first downs, and had a promising drive under way, when they FUMBLED the ball close to midfield.  It was recovered by Jonathan Allen of Stone Bridge H.S. in Leesburg, Va., who powered his way to the Washington 40.  The Tide will start from there.

Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (4:56 left in 1st Quarter)

Washington runs the kickoff out to their own 18.

Uniform watch:  Alabama is in crimson; Washington has their traditional gold helmet with the purple W, white jerseys with purple numerals, and purple socks.  Both teams look very sharp.

Alabama 7 - 7 Washington (5:01 left in 1st Quarter)

Alabama responds with a 78-yard drive dominated by a high-speed attack that mostly kept the ball on the ground.  The touchdown came on a pounding, physical, 18-yard run by Bo Scarbrough of Tuscaloosa County H.S. in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama 0 - 7 Washington (8:01 left in 1st Quarter)

So here's what's happened so far:

1.  Washington took the opening kickoff and went three and out.

2.  Alabama took a punt and went three and out.

3.  Washington took the ball and easily rolled down the field, scoring on a 16 yard pass from Jake Browning (of Folsom H.S. in Folsom, Calif.) to Dante Pettis (of Junipero Serra H.S. in San Clemente, Calif.)

Alabama has famously won four recent national titles:  in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014.  But the Tide has been vulnerable to high-scoring offenses in bowl games:

1.  On January 2, 2009, Utah pounded Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl.

2.  On January 2, 2014, Oklahoma whipped Alabama -- and kept the UCFC -- in a 45-31 Sugar Bowl victory.

3.  On January 1, 2015, Ohio State beat Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl.

And while Alabama beat Clemson in last year's national title game, the final score was 45-40, as the Tide could not stop Clemson's attack.

So Saban's teams -- great though they undoubtedly have been -- have shown a vulnerability to strong passing attacks that have had time to prepare for the Tide.  Could Washington be another example of that trend?

Alabama v. Washington (Peach Bowl)

Alabama and Washington have played only four times in history, with the Tide winning all four.  But the first time they played, on January 1, 1926, is probably the most important football game in the history of the South.  Alabama was the first Southern team to be invited to the Rose Bowl, and of course this was the first bowl game Alabama had ever played in.  The game took place only 61 years after the end of the Civil War, and during those six years Southerners had known countless humiliations.  They were generally poorer than people in the rest of the country, they had very little political power, they were generally less educated, and they were constantly mocked and ridiculed for their "backwardness" by the likes of H.L. Mencken.  So when an Alabama team had a chance to take on a Washington team that was the best team on the West Coast, Southern fans were excited about the chance to see how their boys would do up against the rest of the nation.

At the half, however, it didn't look so good for the Tide -- they trailed 12 to 0.  According to legend, Alabama Coach Wallace Wade merely told his players at the half that "they told me boys from the South would fight."  Inspired by such rhetoric, the Tide jumped all over Washington in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns and taking a 20-12 lead.  Then they hung on for fifteen more minutes, winning the game 20 to 19.  For the first time since 1864, Southerners had beaten the rest of the country at something.  Alabama's star player, Johnny Mack Brown, went on to become a movie star.  Alabama was awarded its first mythical national title.  And the South, which had already begun to love football, became obsessed with it in a way that can still be felt to this day.  In a very real sense, all the drama and glory of SEC football -- everything that seems like such a permanent aspect of Southern culture -- can be traced back to this one critical football game.

Today, of course, the shoe is on the other foot.  No team from the West Coast has won the national title since USC turned the trick in 2004.  During that period, SEC teams won it all in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.  Alabama has four of those titles itself.  Vegas has Alabama as a 13-point favorite in a game where 51 points are expected.  That would be a 32-19 win for the Tide.  But we will see.  West Coast football is usually very good, and I think one of the main reasons West Coast teams haven't won any recent titles is that their talent is spread among so many good schools.  I think this will be quite a game.

Washington

Washington has played a large  number of UCFC games, in large part because whenever the UCFC gets out to the West Coast, it tends to stay out there for awhile.  Also the Huskies have had some great teams.  In September 1984, Washington won the trophy with a 20-11 victory over Michigan -- and then kept it for seven more games until finally losing to Southern Cal.  The Huskies also held the title at various points in 1985, 1990, 1992, 1993, and 1997.  Their overall record in UCFC play is 27-23.  They last held the trophy September 20, 1997, when they lost it in a 27-14 defeat to Nebraska.  They last played for the title on October 22, 2005, when USC crushed them 51 to 24.  The Huskies have lost their last six UCFC matchups.

Florida 16 - 54 Alabama (SEC Championship) (Final)

Just another example of total domination by Alabama, which continues to roll through its opponents with breathtaking ease.  Alabama crushes Florida to win the SEC Championship, keep the UCFC, and move into the College Football Playoff.  This means for the first time since the 2010 season, the team that wins the National Title will also hold the UCFC.

Florida v. Alabama (Atlanta) (SEC Championship)

The very first SEC football championship game took place in 1992, and featured Alabama and Florida.  In fact, the first three SEC title games featured Alabama and Florida, and this will be the ninth time that these two schools have met for the title.  Here are the previous results (AP rankings at time of game in parentheses; national champions in bold):

1992:  (2) Alabama 28, (12) Florida 21
1993:  (9) Florida 28, (16) Alabama 13
1994:  (6) Florida 24, (3) Alabama 23
1996:  (4) Florida 45, (11) Alabama 30
1999:  (7) Alabama 34, (5) Florida 7
2008:  (2) Florida 31, (1) Alabama 20
2009:  (2) Alabama 32, (1) Florida 13
2015:  (2) Alabama 29, (18) Florida 15

As you can see, these have been some big-time games featuring big-time teams and big-time coaches. Five times the winner of this fixture has won the national title, and the games in 2008 and 2009 show where Nick Saban took control of the SEC from Urban Meyer and the Gators -- they are two of the most important games in SEC history.  Florida has won the SEC East 12 times since the SEC title game began; they've played Alabama in 9 of those games.  Alabama has won the SEC West 11 times, and faced Florida almost every time.

If you think about it, it's not surprising that Florida and Alabama meet so often in the title game.  It's not only that Florida has the best program in the East and Alabama has the best program in the West.  It's also how the schedules work.  Alabama plays Tennessee every year -- if the Tide wins the West, then they probably beat Tennessee, which makes things easier for Florida.  Florida plays LSU every year -- if the Gators win the East, then they probably beat LSU, which makes things easier for Alabama.  Also, Florida and Alabama rarely play each other in the regular season, which is fortunate for them both.

Alabama and Florida are both original members of the SEC, but for most of their history they didn't play each other very often.  In the old SEC -- that is, the league as it was before expansion in the early 1990's -- each team played six conference games per year, five against traditional rivals and one against another team.  Alabama's traditional rivals were Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt.  Florida's traditional rivals were Georgia, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State, and Kentucky.  So they didn't play very much.  They didn't meet at all from 1932 to 1947, or from 1952 to 1962.  Even now, they don't play often outside the SEC title game.  Alabama leads the all-time series 24-14, and is currently on a five-game winning streak against the Gators.

This year's Florida team is solid but not spectacular.  They have a very solid defense that delivered seven mostly easy wins over UMass, Kentucky, North Texas, Vandy, Missouri, Georgia, and South Carolina.  They had a really bad loss on the road at Arkansas, where the Razorbacks hammered them 31-10.  They had two other disappointing losses in big road games -- 28-38 at Tennessee, and 13-31 at Florida State.  One of their games was cancelled due to the fact that bad weather forced them to reschedule their game with LSU.  It was originally scheduled for October 8 in Gainesville but was moved to November 19 in Baton Rouge.  In their best game of the year, the Gators beat LSU 16-10, winning the East and setting up today's game.

The oddsmakers do not believe that solid but spectacular will be enough against the Tide.  They have Alabama favored by 24 points in a game where they expect 41 points to be scored.  That would be a score of something like 33-9.  I think Florida will keep it closer than that, but then again I thought the same thing about Auburn last week.

I have a lot of errands to run today, so I will not live blog this game.  But I will give an update sometime tomorrow.