Auburn had the unenviable task of playing both Clemson and Alabama this season, hosting the Tigers in Week 1 and traveling to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide in the final week of the regular season.

That gives Auburn coach Gus Malzahn a unique perspective into Monday night’s national championship game between the two schools.

According to ESPN’s Chris Low, Malzahn favors the ACC powerhouse to hand Alabama its first loss of the season:

“Clemson has the best player on the field with Deshaun Watson, and I think changing offensive coordinators the week before the game is going to hurt Alabama. Both teams are great, and this is the best Alabama defense I’ve seen, but I think Clemson is going to win it.”

Clemson struggled in the opening week of the season, only narrowly escaping Auburn with a 19-13 victory. Alabama, on the other hand, had an easier time with Malzahn’s squad, earning a big 30-12 win.

However, Malzahn thinks Nick Saban’s dismissal of offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin last week will have a big impact on the title game.

See how much it affects the Tide when the game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN.