College Football Championship 2016: Picking Winner for Alabama vs. Clemson

The College Football Playoff National Championship matchup is set, and it's the two teams the selection committee expected to advance based on how the Top Four shook out.

Clemson proved it deserved its No. 1 ranking in easily advancing past Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl to meet the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide in January 11's finale at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Coach Nick Saban's Crimson Tide are perhaps looking even scarier than the Tigers after blanking Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl. Impressive as Clemson's 37-17 romp over Oklahoma was, Alabama's performance was among the most dominant in recent memory.

In terms of picking a winner, it's hard to go against Saban's pedigree considering he's already guided the Tide to three national titles in his magnificent tenure. His style of coaching is in stark contrast to his national championship counterpart, Dabo Swinney.

ESPN.com's Fran Fraschilla applauded how well Swinney has done at the helm with his unconventional antics and unusually outgoing personality:

Linebacker Ben Boulware exuded plenty of confidence following the Tigers' triumph, saying, per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, "Y'all can't doubt us now. Y'all can't doubt 14-0!"

Fair point to a degree, but Swinney's players will ultimately have to back he and Boulware up. They may not be able to against the SEC champions.

After losing to Ohio State in last year's College Football Playoff, Alabama returned with a vengeance against another Big Ten foe. The Columbus Dispatch's Bill Rabinowitz framed the Tide's dominance in that context:

Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson has deservedly garnered attention for keeping Clemson perfect all season with his excellence as a true dual-threat field general. Watson ran for 146 yards in the Orange Bowl and made a timely touchdown throw to boost the Tigers' momentum.

The QB who took center stage New Year's Eve was Jake Coker, though. Alabama deviated from its typical penchant for pounding the rock with Derrick Henry and unleashed Coker on an unsuspecting Michigan State secondary. It resulted in Coker throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman phenom Calvin Ridley was on the receiving end of both Coker TD tosses. Ridley is an X-factor who shredded a formidable Spartans defensive backfield and figures to give Clemson star cornerback Mackensie Alexander all he can handle.

If Coker plays anywhere near the level he did Thursday and Henry can pound away at a Tigers defensive front that saw its top edge-rusher in Shaq Lawson injure his knee in the Orange Bowl, the Tide figure to be in a great position to win.

Feldman raised an interesting anecdote following the Cotton Bowl:

Winning in the trenches is going to be vital, and Alabama figures to have the advantage there on both sides of the ball.

Its bruising offensive line wore down Michigan State; a relentless defensive front featuring A'Shawn Robinson and plenty of other NFL-caliber studs may well mitigate Watson's unique athleticism and knack for making plays outside the pocket.

Although Clemson is ranked first for the time being, Alabama is going to prove it deserves that gaudy status. No team has played better against tougher competition than Alabama since its loss to Ole Miss.

Saban's powerhouse has dominated this sport since he took over in Tuscaloosa. The trend will continue when the Tide best the Tigers in what should be a closely contested, compelling conclusion to the college football season.