NEW ORLEANS — Alabama rolled into the Superdome with a vengeance as they rolled Clemson in route to a third consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

The Crimson Tide dominated the line of scrimmage holding the Tigers to a meager 188 yards of total offense. They also forced a pair turnovers including a pick six by Mack Wilson and interception by Da’Ron Payne leading to a Tide touchdown.

After a pair of nail-biting matchups between Clemson and Alabama in the last two national championship, many expected the rubber match to go to the wire as well.

Questions loomed as to whether Tiger kicker Alex Spence possessed the ability to hit long kicks in a big game.

Spence played his best game of the season despite the result and showed how much he has progressed since replacing the injured Greg Huegel.

The Clemson kicker finished the game a perfect 2-2, scoring the only points for the Tigers on the day.

He kept Clemson in the game with a 44-yard field goal from the hash despite a bad snap to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 10-3 with 10 minutes to go in the first half.

Later in the quarter the redshirt junior connected from 42 yards out after the Clemson offense stalled despite starting on the Alabama 20-yard line and having all the momentum.

After a rough start for Spence earlier in the year the Tigers brought in Drew Costa from the student body to compete and it made a world of difference for Spence.

He connected on eight of his last nine field goals including 46, 44, and 42 yards on his last three kicks of the season.

He proved that Clemson is in good position on special teams going into the offseason with an experienced special teams unit led by a veteran kicker who can make big kicks.