Season Recap

That's it.  Another great college football season in the books.  Final records...

The career record stands at 365-294-15 (55.4%).

Thanks to everyone for reading the Stream all year.  See everyone next season.

National Championship Roundup

You could tell this had the makings of a special game even before the kickoff.

Look at the focus.  Mark Ingram joined Derrick Henry at the coin toss.  The two Heisman winners from Bama.

Derrick Henry is a grown man.  Just huge.  We're all thinking it, but no one would be dumb enough to tweet at Mark Ingram about it, unless you're Jamele Hill.

Classic Sparty move to poke the bear.  And the bear responded.  Cue Ingram's response...From the top rope.

Too harsh?  Now to the game... Between surprise onside kicks and 3,000 pound touchdowns, we saw Saban lay it all on the line.

And I'm giving all the credit to Saban.  Not Lane Kiffin.  Kiff probably called for the halfback pass before getting overruled by Saban.

Clemson gave it literally all they had.  Deshaun Watson is an absolute monster.  Gallman was playing hurt and still turned it on late to give his team a chance.  Shaq Lawson was playing with a shredded MCL and draft stock on the line and still ripped off 2 sacks in the first half.  Took a Derrick Henry punch to the mouth, shook it off and came right back to build a lead.  Took a lead into the 4th quarter.  Had Alabama on the ropes.  But in the end, Saban is Saban and Bama is Bama.

The National Championship

Alabama (13-1) vs. Clemson (14-0)

Kickoff: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Alabama -6.5, Total: 51

We've made it.  #1 vs #2.   Alabama will be gunning for its fourth national title during Saban’s nine-year tenure.

When Bama is on offense, I expect to hear "Derrick Henry with the carry" from Fowler on repeat.  Saban will start the process of wearing down Clemson's defense early.  Much like the MSU game, they won't put up many points before half but the strategy will pay off in the 3rd and 4th quarters.  Once Clemson needs their safeties to help stop Henry, that's when our boy Lane Kiffin will dial up a Coker-to-Ridley post-route over the top.  Sidenote: Calvin Ridley is a 21-year old freshman.  Not sure how that happened.

When Bama is on defense, they'll display the best defensive line in the country. However, Kirby Smart’s unit will face the most athletic signal caller it has seen since losing to Ole Miss and Chad Kelly back in Week 3. Watson’s ability to elude rushers and then make big plays with his legs will be pivotal.

For the total, Clemson has hit the over in 7 of their last 10 games, while Bama has the under in 8 of their last 11 games.

So what's the play?

Even though the numbers slightly point to Clemson +6.5, I'm going with my gut instinct on this one.  I'm trusting Nick Saban over Dabo.  While Saban has lived in the film room looking for every possible advantage over the past week, Dabo has been taking laps at the go-kart track.

I also think there's a chance that Clemson has a "happy to be here" feeling, while this is straight business for Bama.  I mean if you have any questions about Alabama's commitment, from the team to the fanbase....

Final Score.  Alabama 31, Clemson 24