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Alabama 31 - 28 Clemson (2 minutes left in 4th Quarter)

Clemson almost broke a long kickoff return, but the Tigers will start from their 32.

1/10 Clem 32:  Watson pass to Leggett for 4 yards
2/6 Clem 36:  Watson pass to Williams for 25 yards -- he just throws it up in the air and Williams goes and gets it
1/10 Ala 39:  Gallman runs for 6 yards
2/4 Ala 33:  Watson runs for 1 yard
3/3 Ala 32:  Watson pass to Renfrow for 5 yards -- 22 seconds left
1/10 Ala 27:  Watson spikes the ball -- 19 seconds left
2/10 Ala 27:  Watson pass to Leggett for 18 yards -- 14 seconds left -- great catch!
Timeout Clemson
1/G Ala 9:  Watson pass to Leggett incomplete -- 9 seconds left
2/G Ala 9:  Watson pass to Williams incomplete -- pass interference on Alabama -- 6 seconds left
1/G Ala 2:  Watson pass to Refrow for 2 yards -- TOUCHDOWN.  CLEMSON WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Alabama 24 - 28 Clemson (4:38 left in the 4th Quarter)

Last year, Alabama scored on a late kickoff return.  Clemson is taking no chances this year, and is pooching every kickoff.  Alabama starts from its own 32:

1/10 Ala 32:  Hurts throws the ball out of bounds
2/10 Ala 32:  Hurts screen to Harris hit for a 6-yard loss
3/16 Ala 26:  Hurts pass to Stewart for 15 yards
4/1 Ala 41:  Harris runs for 6 yards
1/10 Ala 47:  Harris throws a pass to Stewart, who THROWS A PASS TO HOWARD for 23 yards
1/10 Clem 30:  HURTS RUNS 30 YARDS FOR A TOUCHDOWN!

Unbelievable!  The Clemson defense was scattered all over the field trying to stop the pass -- so Hurts showed some great open-field running to score a game-tying touchdown.

Huge, huge mistake by the Clemson defense.  A field goal did Alabama no good -- the Tide needed a touchdown.

But Watson still has 2:07 left.

Alabama 24 - 21 Clemson (6:33 left in 4th Quarter)

With Scarbrough still hurt, Alabama's offense is completely stalled.  They quickly do a three-yard running play and two incomplete passes, before punting to the Clemson 12.

And this time Clemson is ready:

1/10 Clem 12:  Watson screen to Gallman for 9 yards

2/1 Clem 21:  Watson runs for 5 yards

1/10 Clem 26:  Watson pass to Leggett for 16 yards

1/10 Clem 42:  Watson pass to Williams for 27 yards

Alabama called for unsportsmanlike conduct -- 15 yard penalty

1/10 Ala 16:  Watson runs for 15 yards

1/G Ala 1:  Gallman runs for 1 yard.  TOUCHDOWN.

That's the story of these national title games.  Whether it's Jameis Watson for FSU, or Vince Young for Texas, or DeShaun Watson tonight -- if you're the top quarterback of the year, no college defense will stop you in the fourth quarter.

Last year, Alabama beat Clemson by outscoring them -- the Tide never did figure out how to stop Watson.  But this Alabama team hasn't shown that same offensive firepower.  If the Tide want to save their season, they better come up with something soon.

Alabama 24 - 21 Clemson (9 minutes left in the 4th Quarter)

Alabama goes three and out -- that's the tenth time in a row that Alabama has failed to convert a third down.  The Tide punt down to the 22, and Watson has another chance:

1/10 Clem 22:  Watson runs for 3 yards
2/7 Clem 25:  Watson pass incomplete (he was almost sacked)
Clemson calls time with 8:28 left in the game.
3/7 Clem 25:  Watson pass to Refrow for 7 yards
1/10 Clem 32:  Watson pass to Williams incomplete (Clemson wanted pass interference)
2/10 Clem 32:  Watson deep pass incomplete (He was almost sacked but Ryan Anderson went for the ball, and Watson escaped and threw the ball away)
3/10 Clem 32:  Watson pass to Leggett dropped -- that would have been a first down at the 50.
4/10 Clem 32:  Clemson punts to the Alabama 29.

Alabama takes over with 7:36 left.  That's two extraordinary stands by the Alabama defense.  But unless their offense does something, they'll have to stop Clemson at least twice more.

Alabama 24 - 21 Clemson (12:14 left in the 4th Quarter)

Alabama's offense can get only one first down before its drive stalls at the Alabama 45.  The Alabama punt goes into the end zone, and now DeShaun Watson has a golden chance to seize control of this game:

1/10 Clem 20:  Watson sacked for 6 yard loss.
2/16 Clem 14:  Watson pass to Renfrow incomplete
3/16 Clem 14:  Watson pass to Gallman for 7 yards

That was a fantastic stand by the Alabama defense.

Clemson's punt rolls dead at the Alabama 40.  The Tide take over with 10:30 left in the game.

Alabama 24 - 21 Clemson (14 minutes left in 4th Quarter)

Clemson pooches the kickoff to the Alabama 31.  Meanwhile, Scarbrough is still in the trainers' tent, and it sounds like he will not return.

Alabama 24 - 21 Clemson (14 minutes left in the 4th Quarter)

And there it is.  On second and goal from the 4, Watson throws that silly corner route to Mike Williams (of Lake Marion H.S. in Vance, S.C.) -- but Watson is so skilled, and Williams is so difficult to defend, that the play turns into an easy touchdown for Clemson.

The Tigers now have 367 yards to 281 for Alabama.
The Tigers have 21 first downs to 12 for Alabama.
The Tigers have run 74 plays to 50 for Alabama.
The Tigers have had the ball for 27 minutes and 34 seconds, compared to 18 minutes and 26 seconds for Alabama.

But the Tide is still in the lead, and Scarbrough has returned to the sidelines.

Alabama 24 - 14 Clemson (15 minutes left in 4th Quarter)

Watson is in the groove now.  He is torching the Alabama defense, play after play.  The Tigers have stormed down to the Alabama 8, where they face 2d and 1 as the third quarter comes to an end.

Alabama is blitzing all over the place, but the Tide cannot get to Watson in time, and he is zipping passes all over the field to his team of talented receivers.  He is now 24 of 38, for 290 yards and 1 touchdown.  He has a QB rating of 135.9 and rising.

Alabama 24 - 14 Clemson (1:47 left in 3d Quarter)

The Tigers run the kickoff out to their own 28, and I expect another attack from Watson.

Alabama 24 - 14 Clemson (1:53 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama's offense has been so moribund for the last few hours that one can understand how Clemson was lulled into complacency.  But this time -- facing 2d and 10 from its own 32 -- the Tide did not throw another five-yard pass.  Instead, they faked the short pass -- and then had Hurts hurl a bomb to O.J. Howard (of Autaga Academy in Prattville, Ala.)  Howard had gotten behind the entire Clemson defense, and he dashed 68 yards for a touchdown.

On the other hand, Scarbrough has been forced to leave the field with an injury.  Alabama will miss him.

Alabama 17 - 14 Clemson (2:54 left in 3d Quarter)

Another great struggle between Watson and the Alabama defense.  This time, Watson threw for a first down.  Then he was sacked.  Then, on third and 15, he broke out of the backfield and appeared headed for a first down -- only to be hammered one yard short at the Clemson 39.  The Tigers then punted down to the Alabama 21.

Alabama 17 - 14 Clemson (6 minutes left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama goes three and out, and the Tide punt to the Clemson 15.  The Tigers now have a chance to take control of the game.

Alabama 17 - 14 Clemson (7:03 left in 3d Quarter)

Alabama runs the kickoff back to its own 32, and the Tide will start from there.

Alabama 17 - 14 Clemson (7:10 left in the 3d Quarter)

And Clemson does attack.  The Tigers have largely eschewed their running game, and are now counting on Watson to lead them to victory.  He may do it.  He is 19-32 for 228 yards, and on this drive he hit Hunter Renfrow (of Socastee H.S. in Myrtle Beach, S.C.) over the middle, and Renfrow dashed through the Tide defense for a 24-yard touchdown.

Clemson now has 287 yards, to only 202 for Alabama.  Jalen Hurts, the Alabama quarterback, is only 8-19 for 49 yards.  The Tide lead due to two big turnovers.  But Alabama only got three points out of those turnovers, and that may not be enough.

Alabama 17 - 7 Clemson (8:13 left in 3d Quarter)

Clemson's pooch punt is very successful.  The Tide go three and out, and Alabama's punt goes out of bounds at the Alabama 42.  Now Clemson will attack.

Alabama 17 - 7 Clemson (9:14 left in 3d Quarter)

Clemson drives to the Alabama 43, but when their drive stalls, Watson (on 4th and 3) punts a roller that stops at the Alabama 5.

Alabama 17 - 7 Clemson (12:22 left in 3d Quarter)

Clemson runs the kickoff back to its own 16, and the Tigers will start from there.

Alabama 17 - 7 Clemson (12:25 left in 3d Quarter)

With first and 10 at the Clemson 16, the Tide immediately jump offside -- costing themselves five yards and effectively killing their chance at a touchdown.  A few plays later, Adam Griffith (of Calhoun H.S. in Calhoun, Ga.) boots a 27-yard field goal, and the Tide have a 10-point lead.  Still, Clemson will be happy that they avoided giving up a touchdown.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (13:54 left in 3d Quarter)

After making a first down, Clemson FUMBLES the ball, which is recovered by Alabama's Ryan Anderson (of Daphne H.S. in Daphne, Ala.)  Clemson has fumbled twice, and Anderson has recovered them both.  He runs the ball down to the Clemson 16, and the Tide will start from there.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (14:53 left in 3d Quarter)

Clemson runs the kickoff out to its own 27, and the Tigers will start from there.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (Halftime)

Clemson makes a big first down, forces Alabama to call two timeouts, and eventually punts down to the Alabama 34.

Alabama tries a screen play that loses yardage, and that's the end of the half.

Clemson has 203 yards, while Alabama has 183 yards.

Watson has gone 13-23 for 153 yards.  Alabama only has 40 passing yards, but Scarbrough has 76 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

All in all, a very even game so far.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (1:04 left in 2d Quarter)

This time, Alabama goes back to the running game.  But Clemson holds Scarbrough to no yards on three carries, and the Tide is forced to punt.  The punt seemed to be headed for the end zone, but it was caught by the Clemson returner at the Tiger 4.  That was probably a mistake.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (2:28 left in 2d Quarter)

This time, Alabama's defense holds, and Clemson's punt is returned to the Alabama 38.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (4:24 left in 2d Quarter)

Alabama drives to the Clemson 44, but the drive stalls, and Alabama punts into the end zone.  Watson and the Tigers will start from their own 20.

Alabama 14 - 7 Clemson (6:15 left in 2d Quarter)

I think Alabama was a bit to arrogant on that last possession.  Given a chance to build a 21-point lead, the Tide experimented with some passes that were never likely to succeed.  And this time, it cost them.  Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson (of Gainesville H.S. in Gainesville, Ga.) torched the Tide for 40 points last year, and he torched them again on this drive -- making several great passes, and finally making an 8-yard dash into the end zone.

Alabama had seemed relatively dominant so far, but now this game appears to be quite even.

Alabama 14 - 0 Clemson (7:42 left in 2d Quarter)

Alabama gets one first down, but no more as the Tide inexplicably calls several pass plays that go nowhere.  Alabama punts again, and the ball rolls out of bounds at the Clemson 12.

Alabama 14 - 0 Clemson (9:22 left in 2d Quarter)

Starting from its own 22, Clemson picks up nine yards on the first play.  But the Tigers can go no further, and on fourth down they punt to the Alabama 35.  The Tide will start from there.

Alabama 14 - 0 Clemson (10:42 left in 2d Quarter)

That was impressive.  Alabama's offensive line chewed up Clemson's defense, with the Alabama runners gouging out yards.  After only five plays, Bo Scarbrough blasted 37 yards through the Clemson defense for his second touchdown of the game.  As Chris Fowler just said on ESPN, "Alabama is throwing some haymakers here."

Alabama 7 - 0 Clemson (12:06 left in 2d Quarter)

The Tigers get a couple of first downs, but are eventually forced to punt.  Alabama will start from its own 25.

Alabama 7 - 0 Clemson (1:07 left in 1st Quarter)

Just as happened numerous times last week in the Peach Bowl, Alabama's offense can do nothing in Clemson territory -- the Tide loses seven yards in three plays.  But J.K. Scott (of Mullen H.S. in Denver) nails a glorious punt that is downed inside the 1.  The Tigers will start from there.

Alabama 7 - 0 Clemson (1:50 left in 1st Quarter)

On 3d and 5, Clemson QB Deshaun Watson FUMBLES a shotgun snap, and Alabama recovers at the Clemson 35.

Alabama 7 - 0 Clemson (2:30 left in 1st Quarter)

Alabama scored on its first possession, thanks to a 25-yard run by Bo Scarbrough of Tuscaloosa County H.S. in Tuscaloosa, Ala.  But that's the only score of the game so far.  The Tide was just forced to punt -- and the punt was partially blocked by Tanner Muse of South Point H.S. in Belmont, N.C.  As a result, the ball traveled only 25 yards -- and the Tigers will start from their own 37.

Alabama v. Clemson

For the second year in a row, Alabama will meet Clemson for the National Championship.  But this game -- which is taking place in Tampa -- is also for the Unofficial College Football Championship.  Today's winner will be the first team to hold both the National Championship and the UCFC since Auburn turned the trick at the end of the 2010-11 season.

Clemson lost only one game this year -- a 43-42 nailbiter against Pittsburgh.  But the Tigers won all the rest, including big games against Louisville (42-36) and Florida St. (37-34), and the ACC title game against Virginia Tech (42-35).  The Tigers' defense didn't look too scary in those games, but in the Fiesta Bowl Clemson crushed Ohio State 31-0 -- the first time the Buckeyes had been held scoreless since 1993.

Still, Vegas likes Nick Saban's undefeated titleholders.  Alabama has been installed as a 6-point favorite in what is expected to be a 51-point game.  That would be something like a 28-22 win for the Tide -- and it would mean their FIFTH national title since 2009.  Plus they would get to keep the Big Gold Trophy.

Last year, Alabama just barely survived this game, squeaking out a 45-40 win.  It will be very interesting to see what happens this year.