Alabama meets Clemson in final rematch

MIAMI — Defending champion Alabama, boasting the top defensive unit in collegiate American football, could face its sternest test when the Crimson Tide meets Clemson in Monday’s national championship game. The showdown between Alabama (14-0) and the Tigers (13-1) in Tampa, Florida, is a rematch of last year’s final, which the Crimson Tide won 45-40 despite Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson rolling up 478 yards against equally vaunted defenders. “Deshaun Watson has played big in every game since he has been at Clemson,” Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said. “I think he has played great his whole three years. I mean, great.” The senior run-pass threat has talented receivers who are big play threats and last year Clemson torched Alabama for 10 plays of 20 yard or more. “I thought he played fantastic against us last year,” said Alabama coach Nick Saban of Watson. “He may be arguably the best player in college football. The guy is very athletic. He’s got a great understanding of their offense. He does a really good job of executing for his team. He can extend plays. He can run. And he’s a terrific passer. He is the complete package.” But he has thrown 30 interceptions over 29 games the past two seasons. Alabama, seeking a fifth crown in eight seasons, is working without former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who exited to begin his new job as coach at Florida Atlantic University. That prompted offensive analyst Steve Sarkisian to be promoted into the post with a championship at stake in his first week. “I like the way the players have responded in practice,” Saban said of adjusting to the switch in masterminds. “The most important thing is how well our team performs against a really good football team.” And preparation for that appears tro be going well, Saban said Friday after the team landed in Tampa. “Mindset, just to clean things up and be confident in what they are doing, that’s the most important thing in the next few days,” he said. “When we have been playing this much, the important thing is we’re fresh and ready to go.” Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, who served as a training version of Watson last year for the Alabama defense to practice against, will try to find his rhythm against a Tigers defensive side that blanked Ohio State 31-0 in a semifinal game. No freshman quarterback has led his team to a national crown since Jamelle Holieway of Oklahoma in 1985. — AFP