GLENDALE, Ariz. — After 34 years, the top-ranked Clemson Tigers will play for its second national championship tonight when they take on No. 2 Alabama in the College Football Playoffs National Championship Game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The game will kickoff at 8:30 on ESPN.
About Alabama: Alabama comes into the National Championship Game having faced one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Crimson Tide played 11 teams that qualified for a bowl game this year, more than any team in the country. Alabama is coming off a 38-0 victory over Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.
Alabama’s offense: Running back Derrick Henry leads the nation with 2,061 yards. He also leads the country in touchdowns with 25 and ranks second in rushing average per game with 147.2. Quarterback Jake Coker has improved through the course of the season, including a 25-of-30-night for 286 yards against Michigan State. In the last 10 games, Coker has completed 73.1 percent of his passes for 1,703 yards and nine touchdowns compared to four interceptions. Freshman wide receiver Calvin Ridley has become Alabama’s top target. He has 83 catches for 1,031 yards and seven touchdowns, including one for 81 yards. He had eight grabs for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the Cotton Bowl win over Michigan State.
Alabama’s defense: During its 11-game win streak, Alabama’s defense has forced 21 turnovers – 16 interceptions and five fumbles. They have forced 26 turnovers overall, which leads the SEC, while the Tide’s 18 interceptions also leads the SEC and ranks 11th nationally. Alabama leads the nation in scoring defense (13.4 points) and in rushing defense (70.8 yards.) The Crimson Tide lead the country in sacks with 50. They rank second in three-and-outs behind Clemson.
Records: Clemson 14-0, Alabama 13-1
Series record: Alabama leads the all-time series 12-3
First meeting: Clemson won 35-0 in 1900
Last Meeting: Alabama won 34-10 in 2008
Last Clemson win: 25-0 in 1905
Streak: Alabama has won 12 straight games in the series
Stat worth noting: Alabama has scored nine non-offensive touchdowns this season – four on interceptions, four on punt returns and one on a blocked kick.
Second stat worth noting: Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson has 3,699 yards passing and 1,032 yards rushing for a total of 4,731 yards of total offense. Those numbers set a new ACC record for total yards in a season. He needs 301 passing yards against Alabama tonight to become the first player in FBS history with 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards.
Third stat worth noting: If the Tigers should win tonight’s game, they will become the first team in the history of College Football to beat Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Alabama in the same season. Those three schools make up three of the top 6 winningest programs of all-time.