The 2017 national championship should be like déjà vu all over again as Alabama will once again defeat Clemson in a rematch of the 2016 National Championship Game, one in which the role of winner and loser will also repeat.
1. Alabama (12-0) — Only one word can describe Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide: dynasty.
Since Saban took over as head coach of Alabama in 2007, Alabama has compiled a 118-18 record (that’s an .868 winning percentage), captured four national championships and once again find themselves in the middle of the national championship playoff.
They started the year in a quarterback battle, but freshman Jalen Hurts won out. Since then, Hurts has played like anything but a freshman, throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Tide outscored SEC opponents 304-118, culminating in a dominant 54-16 win over the No. 15 Florida Gators in the SEC Championship in Atlanta.
No. 1 Alabama squares off against the No. 4 Washington Huskies in the first round of the playoffs. The Huskies pose one of the staunchest challenges for Bama’s experienced but young defense. If Alabama can pressure Washington’s quarterback Jake Browning, effectively taking away the passing game and forcing Washington to rely on its mediocre rushing attack, then the Tide should easily earn the right to vie for its second consecutive national championship.
Put down bets on Alabama now, I don’t give any of the other three teams, aside from Clemson, a chance to last a the full 48 minutes against Bama’s brutal offensive and defensive assault. The game against Washington is being played on Dec. 31. It’s a virtual home game as the TIde will return to the Georgia Dome, the site of the their beat down of Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
2. Clemson (11-1) — Back at it again, the Clemson Tigers are returning to the playoffs for a second consecutive year behind the arm of junior quarterback Deshaun Watson, a Heisman finalist who surpassed his previous years stats with an astonishing 37 touchdowns and 3,900 passing yards. Watson is Clemson’s best shot to win the title. A dual threat with a strong running ability and an exceptional passing game, he presents a tough matchup for any defense.
Watson and Co. added another ACC championship for the Tigers in a thrilling 42-35 win over No. 23 Virginia Tech. Clemson’s only loss came in a heartbreaking fashion, 43-42, on last-second field goal by Pittsburgh on Nov. 12. Clemson will be seeking another chance at a national championship after last year’s bitter loss to Alabama in the title game.
If Clemson’s offensive line can open up running lanes, the Tigers’ offense is nearly unstoppable unless Ohio State can find a way to bottle up Watson and junior running back Mike Williams. I am favoring Clemson in the game versus the Buckeyes because I believe that Watson will be able to exploit the Buckeyes’ young defense for several big plays.
Ultimately, the game will come down to which defense comes to play. The Tigers will square off against No.3 Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.
3. Ohio State (11-1) — Quarterback J.T. Barrett returned this year, although it feels like his first stint in Columbus came a century ago. He debuted at Ohio State three years ago and has amassed a record of 26-3 as a starter. He was not the quarterback in the 2015 Championship Game (the first college football playoff); third-stringer Cardale Jones led the Buckeyes to the national title, but barring injury it will be Barrett behind the wheel this time around.
Although I really despise Urban Meyer, I have to respect his game; he took a great program and made it even better. Ohio State has an astounding record of 61-5 in his five years at OSU. Although the Buckeyes are a cutting-edge team, featuring a prolific three-pronged rushing attack, they get the job done old school by stuffing it up the middle on offense and by relying on a versatile, dynamic group on defense.
The Buckeyes will give Clemson the fight of their lives. A flaw in the otherwise seemingly perfect team is Ohio State’s relative inexperience on defense. Ten different freshmen have started at least one game this season. The Ohio State-Clemson promises to be the better of the two national semifinals because it will exhibit two smash-mouth teams, who are almost identical on both sides of the ball.
4. Washington (11-1) — The Huskies finished their remarkable season with only one loss, and it came against redhot rival USC late in the season. The star player, sophomore quarterback Jake Browning, has had an astounding season, throwing for 42 touchdowns, the most in the FBS this year.
By defeating No. 9 Colorado in the PAC-12 title game, Washington secured the fourth spot in this year’s playoffs. They are going to enjoy the spoils of postseason play for a few weeks before meeting up with the toughest team in college football: Alabama.
In order for the Huskies to move past Bama, they’re going to have to be PERFECT. They cannot turn the ball over or surrender any major plays. If either happens, the Tide will roll right over them. A key in this game will be the performance of junior defensive back Budda Baker. If Baker can get behind that Alabama O-line and pressure freshman quarterback Jaylon Hurts, the Huskies might be able to force the kind of game-changings mistakes they will need to pull off a monumental upset and trump the Tide in what amount to a home game for the defending national champions.
