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Trio of USA TODAY writers pick Clemson to beat Alabama in the title game
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Get ready people: bowl season is upon us.
There are 41 postseason games to indulge yourself in starting this Saturday, but obviously none more important than those that include SEC teams.
Particularly Alabama, which once again finds itself in the College Football Playoff.
USA TODAY Sports’ college football staff has made its picks for the entire bowl slate, which can be seen here. And while all seven writers are taking the Crimson Tide over No. 4-seed Washington in the semifinals later this month, three are convinced that Clemson will earn its revenge in the national championship.
Nicole Auerbach, Paul Myerberg, and George Schroeder all expect the Tigers to dethrone the Tide after losing in last season’s title game thriller, 45-40. That would mark Clemson’s second championship in its history (1981) and Dabo Swinney’s first as a coach.
Meanwhile, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, Dan Uthman, and Dan Wolken believe Alabama will win its 27th game in a row en route to Nick Saban’s sixth national title as a head coach (fifth with UA).
According to the S&P+ advanced metrics, Alabama would have a 70 percent chance to beat Clemson on a neutral field this season.
Regardless, it will be fun to see how the third annual playoffs end up playing out.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
