CFB: Alabama Wins the Sugar Bowl

Clemson and Alabama have reached the College Football Playoff in each of the last three seasons and have faced one another in each. The first two installments were absolute classics, as the two programs split and earned a national title doing so. That only made the rubber match even more satisfactory. In the end, the Crimson Tide are going to their third straight national title appearance, looking to win their second in three seasons after taking the crown in 2015. The dynasty lives on.

No. 4 Alabama (12-1) defeated No. 1 Clemson (12-2), 24-6, behind 120 yards from QB Jalen Hurts. The sophomore signal caller added 40 yards on the ground, scored two times, and hit 66.7 percent of his passes. He has a chance coming up in the national title game against No. 3 Georgia to cement himself as a legend in the Alabama history books. In two seasons, he has provided a 26-2 record with the team so far, including an SEC title, a Peach Bowl victory, and a Sugar Bowl win.

Nick Saban, arguably (?) the greatest college football coach of all-time has five titles to his name, four with the Crimson Tide, and is 4-1 in national championship games since coming to Tuscaloosa. Alabama is going to be favored to take home the much desired trophy once again. RB Damien Harris ran for 77 yards on 19 carries in the win. As well as the Crimson Tide played, it won’t mean much unless they finish their true goal and take the national championship a week from today. That’s the level of expectations: Championship or bust.

The Alabama defense frustrated QB Kelly Bryant from the start of the game until Clemson's final drive, which ended with a turnover on downs in the red zone. Bryant threw for 124 yards on 50.0 percent passing, but the game was changed when he threw two interceptions in the third quarter alone. After leading 10-6, the Crimson Tide stretched the lead with a pair of picks, the ladder a pick-six. Both of the touchdowns were scored in less than 15 seconds of game time, and from then on, the game was virtually over.

Saban hasn't faced Georgia in two years, but the last time the two programs played one another, Alabama was +28 and walked away with a dominant road victory. The national title game is expected to be much closer than that, though. However, Alabama will be favored, mainly because Saban is undefeated against his former assistant coaches, and Georgia is led by former Alabama defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart. Each of those wins have been by 10+ points. It's official, though, the Tide are back in the national championship!

Photo Credit: Sporting News.