College Football Championship 2016: Latest Reaction for Alabama vs. Clemson

With convincing wins in their respective College Football Playoff semifinal matchups, the No. 1 Clemson Tigers and No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide will meet on Jan. 11 in the CFP National Championship.

Despite being undefeated and ranked No. 1, the Tigers were underdogs in their Orange Bowl matchup with the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners. Although they fell behind early and trailed by one at the half, Clemson took its defensive efforts to a new level, as shown in the video below by ESPN CollegeFootball, to shutout the high-scoring Sooners in the second half and win the game, 37-17:

The Crimson Tide can play a little defense as well. After holding opponents to just 14.4 points per game heading into the Cotton Bowl, they shut out a 12-win Michigan State Spartans squad that was averaging 32.1 points per game, 38-0.

SEConCBS had some fun on its Twitter account during the game after Alabama headed into halftime leading 10-0:

Alabama held the Spartans to just 29 rushing yards, and 239 total yards, in the rout. Fox Sports radio host Colin Cowherd said he doesn't think Alabama's "boring" domination is "great for the sport":

Cowherd gets paid to give his opinion, and even if he's right, no one associated with Alabama is going to care. However, when the Crimson Tide hit the field against Deshaun Watson and Clemson, it most likely will be anything but boring.

The Tigers' sophomore quarterback, who finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, has been exciting all year and should put some pressure on the Alabama defense.

One reason the Crimson Tide cruised was they were able to completely shut down the Michigan State rushing attack. That is going to be a little harder to do against Clemson, per ESPN CollegeFootball:

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The Clemson ground game tonight:  pic.twitter.com/XFmySkdgnF

— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2016"

Watson has rushed for 1,032 yards himself, in addition to 3,704 passing yards and 43 total touchdowns. Wayne Gallman has gained 1,469 yards on the ground to go along with 13 touchdowns.

Although Clemson can play defense and Alabama can score, each team's play on the opposite side of the ball could be the key to deciding the outcome of the game.

That's why Jake Coker's play at quarterback for Alabama against Michigan State—a career-high 286 yards passing and two touchdowns—has Crimson Tide fans feeling great about their chances.

Sure, Heisman winner Derrick Henry and his 2,061 yards and 25 touchdowns will most likely be a factor, but if Coker can throw the ball well, Clemson is in trouble.

He has done just enough all season to balance out Henry's record-breaking year, but now he has the confidence to know he can play well in big games, along with a belief in his team, per ESPN.com: "This is a special team that I couldn't be prouder of," Coker said.

The CFP committee got it right this year as the undisputed top two teams will be meeting to crown a champion with the storyline focusing on the dynasty of head coach Nick Saban and Alabama versus Dabo Swinney and the up-and-coming Tigers. 

There will be plenty of questions coming Swinney's way next week as he prepares to take on his alma mater, but right now, all he cares about is that his team at least has a chance, per ESPN: