You get the feeling No. 2 Clemson was waiting for this game since the last one on Jan. 11, 2016.
They answered that question in a complete 31-0 domination of No. 3 Ohio State (11-2) in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on Saturday. The Tigers looked like the team that took No. 1 Alabama (14-0) to the limit in last year’s 45-40 loss in the College Football Playoff championship game, and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney didn’t take long to move forward.
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“This was a complete team effort, really proud of our staff,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said on the ESPN telecast. “So happy for Clemson nation, our fans, back-to-back playoffs, back-to-back national championship appearances, hopefully we can finish this year.”
While the “We want Bama” chants rang out in the final seconds, it became clear. This is the team that should want Alabama. And the Tigers have a chance if they put out another complete team effort.
The Tigers (13-1) have been trying to catch the Crimson Tide as part of a two-year stretch. Alabama is 28-1 and Clemson is 27-2 during that time, the two best marks for Power 5 programs. It’s Game 30 for both teams, and it should be a hell of a show on Jan. 9 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Swinney spent a few minutes reeling off the Tigers’ accomplishments from the podium on the field afterward, but he doesn’t need to sell this as an elite program. — we know that already. We’ve known that for years now.
They just looked like the elite team everybody expected at the right time against Ohio State. Watson slipped back into the playoff mode that made him a Heisman Trophy candidate from Day 1. He had 259 passing yards, 57 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Nine different players had a reception, and Watson completed four passes of 20 yards or more.
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The ground game got going, too. Wayne Gallman got on track with 18 carries for 85 yards and a score. The Tigers grounded out 48 carries for 205 yards, and the chunk plays were there. That diverse game plan and excellent play-calling made all the difference against the Buckeyes, and will give Alabama coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt a lot to prepare for in the next week and change.
Same goes for Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Clemson’s defensive line stuffed an experienced quarterback in J.T. Barrett and limited the Buckeyes to 22 carries for 81 yards, most of which came on a 64-yard run by Curtis Samuel. The Tigers’ defensive line looks every bit as good as the one that made it interesting against Alabama.
Interesting always describes Clemson under Swinney. This is a team that was perceived to be a little off all season, despite road wins against Auburn, Georgia Tech and Florida State and a home shootout against Louisville. Yeah, they lost to Pitt, but everybody but Alabama and Western Michigan lost in the regular season at least once.
It’s never an easy road back to the championship after losing the previous season. Florida State (1998-1999), Oklahoma, (2003-04) and Ohio State (2006-07) all pulled that off in the BCS era. The Seminoles were the only team that returned after a loss and won in the 2000 Sugar Bowl, against Virginia Tech. Of course, that Florida State team was favored.
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Clemson will be the underdog again, tasked with trying to unseat arguably college football’s greatest dynasty. They have the experienced quarterback taking on true freshman Jalen Hurts, and the confidence of knowing they can hang with the Tide. This is a rematch worth watching, and it will live up to the hype.
You knew that in the aftermath on Jan. 11. You knew that when Watson made a not-so subtle guarantee Clemson would be back in February. The victory against Ohio State simply served as a year-long affirmation. The Tigers are back where they belong. Happy New Year, right?
How does that feel?
“You better watch what you wish for, but we’re excited,” Swinney said.
They should be. You get the feeling Clemson might have an even better chance in this one.
