Clemson vs. Nick Saban led Alabama is the all-time College Football Playoff rivalry

For a period of the College Football Playoff era, the question was, Clemson or Alabama?

There is no denying that in the early stages of the CFP era, the best-developed rivalry was the one between Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers and Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. The two programs had some of the best battles you’ll see, and their history is intertwined together through these classic matchups.

Things look a lot different for both programs nowadays, with reports released that Saban will be retiring from football after what could be the best coaching career in college football history. It came as a shock to many, but Saban’s time as a coach has come to an end.

With Saban stepping away, we wanted to reflect on what is the best College Football Playoff rivalry of all time, Clemson vs. Alabama.

– Updated 3/4

2015 National Championship Game (Glendale, Ariz.)

Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The first of three National Championship matchups between the two programs, boy, was this a good one. While it didn’t end the way Clemson fans (45-41 loss), this is the game that started a run where the Tigers would face the Crimson Tide for four straight seasons in the CFP. Deshaun Watson did what he could in this one, throwing for 405 yards and four touchdowns, but this Saban-led team was incredibly well coached and dominated on the ground, with future NFL superstar Derrick Henry handling a ridiculous workload, carrying the ball 36 times for 158 yards and three scores. This is the game where Clemson proved they can hang with the big dogs.

2016 National Championship Game (Tampa, Fla.)

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

After a long 35-year wait, Clemson returned to glory. The Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 35-31 in an absolute classic. Once again, Watson balled for the Tigers, throwing for 420 yards and accounting for four…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/clemson-vs-nick-saban-led-001048767.html

Author : Clemson Wire

Publish date : 2024-03-04 19:00:48

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