CFP Championship: Alabama vs. Clemson Prediction Roundtable

See who the Victory Bell Rings staff thinks will win the CFP Championship. 

After a long season, it all comes down to one game. Penn State was left on the outside looking in of the College Football Playoff, but still got a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. The college football season will culminate Monday in Tampa when the CFP Championship is played.

This year’s game is special, as it’s a rematch of last year. Alabama will be looking for the same result, while Clemson hopes to write a new narrative.

Both teams looked impressive in their last game and carry a lot of momentum into the title game.

Find out the VBR staff prediction for the CFP Championship below.

Site Expert Barry Leonard Jr. 

This one is sure to be a great game. Just like last year’s version, I’m expecting a tight game that isn’t decided until late in the fourth quarter. For all of the arguing over who should have been in the College Football Playoff (Penn State still should have had a shot), the two best teams are playing for the title once again.

Top to bottom Alabama is the most talented team in the country. It’s a well-coached Nick Saban squad that doesn’t make many mistakes. The Crimson Tide don’t have the most dynamic offense, but it was very effective this year. The combination of running back Bo Scarbrough and quarterback Jalen Hurts is tough to stop.

Alabama ranked as the best defense in the nation, allowing just 244 yards per game. However, for as good as the Tide are on defense, stopping the Clemson offense will be a difficult task.

Clemson is of course led by quarterback DeShaun Watson. He can beat you with both his arms and legs and has several talented receivers, including Mike Williams to throw to. Clemson also has th luxury of having a 1,000-yard rusher in Wayne Gallman.

One thing to keep an eye on in this one is the play of the Alabama offense now that Lane Kiffin is no longer the offensive coordinator. It was a strange move to let him go a week before the title game.

I’m expecting a game that will feature several lead changes. Don’t be surprised if Clemson is leading in the fourth quarter. However, Watson has been prone to turnovers this year and likely won’t be able to avoid a big one against the tough Alabama defense.

It’ll be close, but in the end, Alabama will repeat as champions.

Alabama 24
Clemson 21

Contributor Marty McFly

Sadly, it is time for the college football season to come to an end. But, at least, the ending should be a great one as we get a rematch of last year’s national championship game.

In my opinion, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the most talented team in the country. However, the Clemson Tigers are more than capabale of beating them. Especially with there currently being some turmoil around the Tide. Last week, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin left the program to begin his career as the new head coach at Florida Atlantic. This is despite the fact he originally planned to remain with the Crimson Ride through the end of the playoffs.

Alabama’s offense is led by true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts. And Clemson’s defense is arguably the most talented and most complex he has seen this season. Additionally, the Tigers have, whom is in my opinion, the best defensive coordinator in the country in Brent Venables.

Turnovers is where Clemson has to be careful. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is one of the best in country, but he is plagued by the turnover bug at times. Watson has thrown 17 interceptions this season. Alabama leads the nation in non-offensive touchdowns, and in order to beat the Tide a team must avoid turnovers.

Alabama’s defense, in my opinion, is the best in the country and there is not a close second. This defense is one of the best, most talented I have ever seen in college football. So watching them square off with the high powered Clemson offense should be a fun match up.

Alabama will attempt to get the run game going with Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris. And if the Tide can get their rushing attack going, the Tigers could be in trouble. Jalen Hurts (891 rushing yards) plays a large role in the Alabama rushing offense as well.

I expect this to be a very close game, much like last year’s match up. This game could go either direction without surprising me. But, I picked Alabama to win the national championship before the season started and I am sticking with it. In the end, I believe Watson winds up committing a turnover that leads to a defensive touchdown for Alabama and costs Clemson the game.

Alabama 28
Clemson 24

Contributor Corey Hunter

Clemson has had this game and date circled since they lost last season’s title game. They’ve made it their mission to get back to the title game…and now, here they are.

To be honest, I think to a man they are glad to be playing Alabama again — to know that they can knock the giants of college football off their perch.

For Alabama, the Crimson Tide being in the title game is seemingly old hat. There have been three CFP and guess who has been in the title game each season?

Of course, none of that should diminish the incredible talent of the tide players or the hard work by Nick Saban and the coaching staff. Doing what they’ve been able to do for as long as they have is no small feat.

Now a new question arises for Saban and company: how does a change in offensive coordinators affect the Tide players? With Kiffin out and Sarkisian in, will the Bama players be out of sync or will they not miss a beat? Only time will tell.

As mentioned earlier, Clemson has been eager to get back to the title game and beat Alabama. Now they’ve got their wish. A key to watch will be how well Clemson QB Deshaun Watson takes care of the football. He has a propensity to turn the ball over. Something that can’t happen if Clemson is going to win.

So who wins? I see this being an ebb-and-flow game. Each team punching and counterpunching. In the end, Clemson has a greater desire to find a way to score late and win another wild affair.

Clemson – 38
Alabama – 35

Contributor Shane Lunnen

The 2016 season ends with a rematch of last year’s game with Alabama taking on Clemson.  It’s very hard to pick against Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, but I’m going with Clemson in this one.

The Tigers learned a lot in last year’s matchup and Dabo Swinney will have them highly motivated and ready to go. Expect a much slower, defensive battle compared to last year’s shootout.  Deshaun Watson will have the performance of his career, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another.  Alabama’s Jalen Hurts will have a good game too and will get his opportunities against a Clemson defense that struggles against mobile quarterbacks.

I predict the game to be a lot more entertaining than the playoff semifinals.  It comes down to one last championship drive by Watson and the Tigers to win the game and their first national title since 1981.

Clemson 27
Alabama 24