Alabama Football: Ronald Moody National Championship Prediction

For the fourth consecutive year, Alabama football and Clemson meet in the College Football Playoff. However, this is the third time both teams have met for the national title. Alabama leads the series two games to one.

The time for greatness arrives for Alabama football. All the hard, demanding work throughout the offseason Fourth Quarter conditioning program, spring practice, fall practice and the arduous regular season can pay off Monday night in Santa Clara. During ESPN’s Training Days: Rolling With the Tide, a sweaty, serene Nick Saban, arms outstretched, conveyed to his team, “everyone wants to be the beast, but not everybody wants to do what the beast does!” That is a unique statement which speaks to all the wannabe pretenders in college football.

Duplicating the Crimson Tide’s secret sauce is not easy, ask Georgia. The only team closely mirroring Alabama, externally and internally, belongs to former Tide player and Gene Stallings disciple, Dabo Swinney. Losing in last year’s Sugar Bowl matchup provides the Tigers a Jason Voorhees type revenge factor. Clemson’s chip on the shoulder looms as large as South Carolina.

Perfection is in the cards for one of the two schools. The winner leaves 15-0, a record not seen in the FBS since 1897 Penn Quakers. The last undefeated team to win it all, 2013 Florida State Seminoles. Vegas places the Crimson Tide as a five and a half point favorite over the Tigers. Alabama squared off against seven Top 30 opponents.

On the other hand, Clemson has faced three. How will Dabo Swinney’s team handle playing a team just as talented as they are? Experts point to the battle in the trenches as the key matchup of the game. However, the quarterback play leads the way to winning the title.

Great quarterback play needed for a monumental win

Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence are the difference makers for this game. Both are generational talents. Both possess the “it” factor. One has championship game experience; the other does not.

The defense of Mississippi State and Georgia rattled the Heisman runner-up. Tua regained his form against Oklahoma with four touchdowns and just three incompletions.

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Minus Dexter Lawrence, the relentless Clemson defensive line sacked Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book six times. South Carolina quarterback threw for 550 yards and five touchdowns against the Tigers. Having ample time to get the football to playmakers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Irv Smith in space is Tua’s biggest challenge.

Georgia almost beat Alabama with a balanced attack, running for 153 yards and throwing for 301. Lawrence has not faced pressure all season like he will experience Monday. Can the true freshman maintain his Joe Montana coolness with Quinnen Williams pursuing him nanoseconds after the snap?

Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross, Amari Rodgers, and Hunter Renfrow present issues for the Alabama secondary. Freshman corner Patrick Surtain II experienced his first disappointing game lined up opposite of a physical CeeDee Lamb. He will not face that type of receiver on Clemson (Higgins or Ross). Surtain bounces back and shuts down Higgins.

Alabama Football reaches Apex Mountain

When the Crimson Tide wins it all on Monday night, the most transcendent football player ever to set foot in Tuscaloosa succeeds by getting the ball in the hands of his killer playmakers. Tua’s memorable play leads Alabama to its sixth title in ten years. Nick Saban wins his record seventh national title cementing his legacy as the greatest college football coach in history. Alabama finishes the season in the conversation with 2001 Miami Hurricanes, 1995 Nebraska Huskers, and 1972 USC as the historical best to step foot on the gridiron.

Ronald Moody Game Prediction: Alabama 28 – Clemson 24