An absolutely outstanding College Football Playoff National Championship resulted in Nick Saban’s fifth career national title, and his fourth with Alabama. We cover that and much more in Tuesday’s Cheat Sheet…
Alabama beats Clemson for the National Championship in an instant classic
On January 4th, Yahoo’s Pat Forde wrote about needing Alabama-Clemson to save us from the WORST BOWL SEASON EVER:
It’s up to you, Clemson and Alabama. You have to salvage the worst bowl season ever.
After a succession of bad games on bad dates at bad times – brought on by a combination of bad postseason management and bad luck – the Tigers and Crimson Tide are all we have left. That may be enough – if Clemson can live up to the moment. History shows that Alabama has a ruthless ability to smash championship-game opponents and win in big, boring fashion.
But we have no choice. That’s the last chance to have a game of consequence that is also a game of competitiveness and drama in this college football postseason.
Well, Alabama and Clemson most definitely came through with an AWESOME national title game, and the Crimson Tide came out victorious in a 45-40 shootout.
Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry did his thing, carrying the ball 36 (!) times for 158 yards and three touchdowns.
Then there was Alabama tight end O.J. Howard. Very, very safe to say this was the best performance of his career.
Not bad. pic.twitter.com/hIdroA2f6B — The Comeback (@comeback_sports) January 12, 2016
OJ Howard before tonight – 33 rec, 394 yards, 0 TD rec OJ Howard tonight – 5 rec, 208 yds, 2 TD rec — Ms. Lee (@LyndsayALee) January 12, 2016
OJ Howard was the brightest of #ShiningStars with his career night! He is our @yesNOVA MVP! #RollTide https://t.co/J1Ta8VcCRU — Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) January 12, 2016
And there was this 95-yard touchdown return from Kenyan Drake:
95 yard touchdown kickoff return by Kenyan Drake!! pic.twitter.com/aA4GlXbRRd — Sports Vids (@HighIightHub) January 12, 2016
Oh, and Nick Saban dialed up a surprise onside kick (ended up being a pivotal play) in the fourth quarter, but was probably as surprised as anyone by how well it was executed:
Really, Clemson was just as impressive as Alabama, particularly at quarterback with Deshaun Watson. The sophomore was amazing (and the Tigers have a great chance to go far again next year with him leading the way).
But Clemson made some killer mistakes that you can’t just make if you’re going to beat Alabama.
Hell of an effort by Clemson but brutal way to lose. 2 blown coverages. 1 KO return for TD. Onside kick. That’s 24 points right there. — Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) January 12, 2016
While the game was fantastic, the big picture takeaway is in regards to Nick Saban’s legacy. The Comeback’s Matt Zemek has a must-read article on the topic.
Nick Saban — already the man who towers over the rest of college football, with the possible exception of Urban Meyer — has become that much larger after winning his fourth national championship at Alabama. It’s all rather difficult to absorb in the freshness of the moment, after a deliciously entertaining College Football Playoff National Championship Game in which the Crimson Tide fended off the gallant Clemson Tigers, 45-40. However, the possibility certainly has to be raised: Nick Saban just might surpass Paul Bryant as the greatest head coach in college football history when all is said and done.
That may seem like crazy talk on the surface, but it’s not.
This is Saban’s fourth title at Alabama (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015), and fifth national title overall (also won with LSU in 2003). Saban has won five titles in 20 years as a head coach, or *turns on calculator* has won titles once every four years. That’s incredible.
Speaking of the Alabama coaching staff, the team buses left without Lane Kiffin after the game.
Quick Hits
Two dudes who know something about national championships. pic.twitter.com/TGu02K194t — College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) January 12, 2016
– RG3 is expected to be released by the Redskins. Rewind to three years ago and this is just crazy to think about.
– Another one that’s crazy to think about, but not as much when you consider he’s going to be a 30-year-old running back next season: Marshawn Lynch’s immediate, and long-term future with the Seahawks is in doubt.
– The NFL suspended Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict three games.
– The Florida Panthers had their 12-game winning streak end, and right when the game ended, they got in a brawl with the Vancouver Canucks.
– The Tim Tebow ponytail photo is certainly something.
– Ouch… this one hurts for those of us what were borderline obsessed with the video game franchise: EA Sports NCAA Football trolls fans with fake signs of life.
– Mind-blowing notes about NFL Wild-Card weekend.
– Parks & Rec season 7 hits Netflix on Wednesday. “Litrully” the best news of the day.
– It’s Always Sunny in Tatooine: an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Star Wars mashup.
One last breath of gratuitous procrastination
Now this is an interesting batting practice tactic.
