Kirk Herbstreit: Clemson 'absolutely' Alabama's biggest test on biggest stage

Alabama is no stranger to the big stage as it will be seeking a fourth national championship in the last seven seasons.

However, ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit believes none of those other three teams that the Crimson Tide toppled for a national championship present the challenge that Clemson does.

Kirk Herbstreit says on teleconference this is "absolutely" the biggest test Alabama has faced in a title game since Saban has been at Bama.

— Matt Connolly (@MattatTheState) January 7, 2016

Alabama hasn’t been met with much resistance in its previous three national championship games. In 2010, Alabama trounced Texas 37-21, then shut out rival LSU 21-0 in 2012 before beating Notre Dame by four touchdowns (42-14) in 2013.

Las Vegas has pegged the Tide as a steady 7-point favorite in the game.

Also on Herbstreit’s teleconference, he made it clear that he, as well as the rest of college football fans, aren’t going to net you big ratings with New Year’s Eve games.

Herbstreit: "I think you can tell by the ratings the American public definitely didn’t necessarily jive with the New Year’s Eve games"

— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) January 7, 2016