After crusing to victories in their respective semifinal games, No. 1 Clemson will take on No. 2 Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The Crimson Tide are touchdown favorites, but what does NCAA Football 14, the last college football video game released, predict will happen?
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Using updated rosters and ratings, which resulted in a 7-2 record in the earlier bowl predictions, a simulation was run between the two teams in NCAA 14. Alabama has a slight edge in terms of player ratings over Clemson but that doesn't always foretell a result. Matchups play a key role, but execution on the field and turning points over the course of the game that ultimately determine the outcome.
The game opened up with a methodical touchdown drive by Alabama. Tight end O.J. Howard caught three balls including a third down conversion and the eventual TD. Jake Coker went 5-for-5 and Heisman winner Derrick Henry totaled 20 yards on the ground.
Clemson answered with an impressive drive of their own. The biggest play was a third and 14 conversion which led to a field goal. Alabama leads, 7-3.
After trading punts, Clemson was able to go on a nine-play, 65-yard drive to take a 10-7 lead.
One of the biggest plays of the game came in the second quarter. Clemson decided to go for it on fourth and 1 just outside of the red zone but got stuffed. The Tigers could have taken a 13-7 or 17-7 lead with only a few minutes to go before the half.
Alabama quickly capitalized on the momentum shift, driving down the field for the go-ahead touchdown. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Bama quickly scored again to take a 21-10 lead.
On Clemson's first play of the next drive, Deshaun Watson made a bad decision and Cyrus Jones picked him off. Then, on the very next play, Jake Coker threw a deep pass to the end zone for another TD. All of the sudden it was 28-10 going into the break.
Coming out of the half, it really seemed that Clemson had to do something on their first drive, but the Tigers went three-and-out and things were looking incredibly bleak for them. After some big-time passes from Coker, Henry ran it in for the TD to make it 35-10.
The collapse continued with Watson throwing another interception on the next drive. Alabama went for the dagger, going for it on foutth and 10 and converting, and that led to another Henry touchdown and a 42-10 lead.
Clemson would manage to put together a few drives as Bama's defense sagged off a bit, but the hole was dug too deep for them to have any chance.
Alabama wins the National Championship, 49-31.
Total yards were nearly identical for the two teams. Suprisingly, the Clemson defense contained Derrick Henry fairly well, keeping him under four yards per carry. But the pass defense could not get a stop and the defense's inability to force a turnover proved fatal. Once the deficit grew, Clemson had to abandon the run game which was not ideal, given their offensive makeup and the team they were up against.
After early signs of vulnerability, the Alabama defense locked in and dominated with the stretch from late in the second through the middle of the third where the game was decided. It was an impressive performance on both sides of the ball.
Statistics
Jake Coker (ALA) 29-37, 407, 4 TD
Deshaun Watson (CLEM) 39-55, 336, 0 TD, 2 INT, 68 yards rushing
Derrick Henry (ALA) 27 carries, 96 yards, 3 TD
Wayne Gallman (CLEM) 16 carries, 79 yards, 2 TD, 7 receptions, 54 yards
O.J. Howard (ALA) 9 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Jordan Leggett (CLEM) 8 receptions, 62 yards
Richard Mullaney (ALA) 7 receptions, 102 yards, TD
ArDarius Stewart (ALA) 5 receptions, 105 yards
Cyrus Jones (ALA) 9 tackles, 2 INT
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is the host of the Press Row Podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.