OT: National Championship game tonight

[Tunescribe]

College Football is just so damn predictable

It has become a corporate marketing vehicle.

 

[TommyD4207]

Took about 5 mins before the first idiot Alabama fan I know on twitter say the would beat the Tennessee Titans.

They couldn't even beat Ole Miss.

 

[Kontradiction]

This was legitimately the best National Championship game I've seen since USC/Texas 10 years ago. I'm not sure if Watson is going to be a quality QB prospect at the next level or not, but he stood tall last night and made some very good, pro-level passes. He stayed in the pocket and looked to pass first and run only when the pocket collapsed... another good sign. In the end, Alabama's special teams was the difference in the game.

 

[mgteich]

This was legitimately the best National Championship game I've seen since USC/Texas 10 years ago. I'm not sure if Watson is going to be a quality QB prospect at the next level or not, but he stood tall last night and made some very good, pro-level passes. He stayed in the pocket and looked to pass first and run only when the pocket collapsed... another good sign. In the end, Alabama's special teams was the difference in the game.

Yes, the special teams (both sides) could be considered the difference. After all, this was a Clemson weakness going into the game.

For me, the difference was also coaching. Saban called the on-sides kick. The OC had a game plan that included plays for the TE that had him wide open twice for two long touchdowns, after not having a touchdown in 2015 or 2014. Saban is a very conservative coach. When Clemson started scoring, that conservatism was put aside a bit.

 

[zydecochris]

I wonder if a game like this will finally inspire Saban to go all out in trying to land a truly A1 QB prospect.

Good point, Alabama's recruiting dominance has not extended to quarterbacks in the recent past (for example, Jameis Winston was an Alabama High Schooler that Florida St. snatched from Alabama). And, Alabama under Saban has a bit of a history in starting experienced quarterbacks with little high school acclaim (who make few mistakes) over supposedly more talented prospects (e.g., Blake Sims in 2014 and Jake Coker in 2015).

Interestingly, that may be about to end. For one thing, there is junior-to-be Cooper Bateman and sophomore-to-be David Barnett, both 4-star high school prospects who have flashed talent.

However, the guy Alabama is really excited about is Blake Barnett, a freshman who was redshirted this year. Barnett is easily the most acclaimed Quarterback Prospect Alabama has had in many years, a 5-star prospect that was the highest rated QB by many services. Plus, his leadership and work ethic really turned heads at Spring Camp last year. A great athlete, he reminds some of Marcus Mariota. The only problem was that he was a true freshman (and, physically he has a bit of filling out to do).

Many are so excited by Barnett's potential that they expect him to win the starting job next year. It will be interesting to see if that happens, it is a bit against Saban's usual MO, he usually starts experienced quarterbacks who don't make mistakes or throw interceptions, e.g., McCarron, Sims, Coker.

....Of course, taking risks like an onside kick is against Saban's usual MO also.