Championship Notes

Looks like Clemson has new jerseys, with larger numbers and a more traditional font. You'd think I would've noticed had they worn them before. I like them better than the smaller, more rounded numbers. Sheldon and Brick agree.

Bad news: Desmond picks Clemson. So does Pollock. Corso makes the fans of both teams happy: he picks Bama. I've done my part, remaining unshaved since Clemson's last win. Wait - since Bama's last win as well. Last year I wore orange the day of the championship game, and Clemson lost. This year I wore red.

Million Dollar Band spells out BAMA. Clemson band spells Tigers - in cursive. Bama fans don't know what it says. I guess Meryl Streep isn't watching.

Before the coin toss new HOF inductees Peyton Manning and Steve Spurrier are introduced. Both Bama and Clemson fans boo Spurrier. What were they thinking?

Late hits by Bama on Clemson's first three plays. Dabo runs down the sideline to object. Then obvious targeting on Williams knocks him out of the game.

Poor play call on fourth down. AD's son makes a mental error, costing Clemson a long kickoff return. Bama recovers poor snap. Clemson partially blocks a punt, but it still rolls past the 40. Next punt is downed on the one.

First quarter ends: Bama 7-0. Herbsteit: Watson is rattled. Another Scarborough TD. Long run after catch by Deon Cain. Leggett on third and ten. Watson for the touch, capping an 87 yard drive in 1:33. 14-7.

At the game: Rusty's family, and some of Kelly's kin. Aunt Frankie. Marsha and family. Rick Horne. Probably Scott Condra and Hank Smith. Guy who rarely watches football jumps on the Bama bandwagon to suck up to his two bosses. Wonder if Ben wishes he'd stuck it out for a fifth year.

Every time they mention his age, Jalen Hurts gets younger. New turf on the field. So why are the end zones black?

Clemson D forces a punt. So does Bama. Then a long Bama punt. Terrible decision by return man to catch the punt after retreating backwards, inside the five yard line. Halftime.

Probably more players from Georgia on the field tonight than any other state. Recruiting: Clemson is getting the long-haired skinny QB from Cartersville. UGA is getting the Warner Robins QB that Spurrier had recruited. He could beat out Jacob Eason. I sure hope so.

Field goal Bama. 17-7. Teams trade punts. Hunter Renfrow touchdown. 17-14.

Alabama fails to convert on their eighth straight third down. Every Bama defender leads with their helmet, but nothing is called. Scarborough goes down. Hurts bomb to a wide open tight end for a 68 yard touchdown. Three TD's on three big plays. 24-14 with 1:47 left in the third.

Clemson drives. Saban complains. Quarter ends. First and goal. Williams' catch makes it 24-21.

Larry Culpepper really showing his acting chops this season. The Lego Batman Movie won no Golden Globes.

Bama punts. Watson savagely sacked. Punt. Punt. Punt. Viscious hits. Punt. Dabo complains. A great catch by Williams. Herbstreit: reviews are slowing down Clemson's pace, giving the tiring Bama D time to rest. On Clemson's 89th play on offense, Gallman dives over. Clemson leads 28-24 with 4:38 remaining. 

The crowd roars. "Sounds like Death Valley." Bama converts on fourth down. Trick play. Hurts scrambles 30 yards for a touchdown: Clemson's weakness all year - a mobile quarterback. Bama retakes the lead 31-28 with 2:07 to go. Trite to say "Did Bama score too early?"

Another big Williams catch. Two big first downs. Fourteen seconds. Incomplete. Interference. At 12:20 am Watson rolled right and threw to Renfrow for the game-winning touchdown. 35-31 Tigers.

Clemson scored three fourth quarter touchdowns to beat a team many called the greatest ever.