Tide, Tigers complete classic trilogy
NEW ORLEANS — When you’re in the midst of a historic trilogy, it’s hard to appreciate what it will mean to the ages.
Alabama is focused on beating Clemson.
Clemson is focused on beating Alabama.
Taking time to savor the first two chapters between these college football juggernauts — and, ohhh, are they worth savoring — will only get in the way of preparing for the rubber match.
“I just try to take it day by day,” Alabama center Bradley Bozeman said. “I’ll look back on it when I’m 40 or 50 years old.”
No matter what happens Monday night when the top-ranked Tigers take on the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl semifinal game, this remarkable three-year run seems assured
of joining all those great sporting rivalries that were doled out thrice. Ali-Frazier. Affirmed-Alydar.
Nadal-Federer. Warriors-Cavaliers. “We’re in a good place if we’re seeing them,” Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said of the Tigers. “So, no, I’m not tired of them.”
For whatever reason, the trilogy holds a special place in the sports lexicon.
They come in all shapes and sizes, from one side pulling off a sweep (Affirmed edged Alydar three straight times to claim the 1978 Triple Crown) to those who saved the best for last (Ali beating Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila” after they split their first two heavyweight bouts) to matchups that signaled a changing of the guard (Nadal’s epic victory over Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final after losing to his Swiss rival the two previous years).
Which brings us to AlabamaClemson III.
Already, they’ve produced a matching set of classics that rank among the greatest national championship games in college football history.
Two years ago, Alabama won 45-40 in a breakneck affair that featured 40 points, a successful onside kick and a kickoff return for a touchdown in the final 10½ minutes. Last season, Clemson rallied from a two-touchdown deficit and the Tide’s go-ahead TD with just over 2 minutes remaining to win 35-31 on Deshaun Watson’s 2-yard scoring pass to Hunter Renfrow with a single second hanging on the clock.
The stakes are a bit different this time.
Instead of meeting in the title game, Round 3 falls a week earlier in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Clemson claimed the top seed despite a loss to lowly Syracuse back in mid-October, while Alabama stirred up the biggest debate when it landed the fourth seed after a setback to Auburn in its final regularseason game and failing to even qualify for the Southeastern Conference championship.
In the end, it’s hard to fault the selection committee for bending to the will of history.
A deciding game only seems right.
“Oh, it’s a lot of fun,” Tigers defensive lineman Christian Wilkins said. “The reason why I came to Clemson was to compete at the highest level, play against the best teams and win championships. You know if you’re Clemson and you’re playing Alabama, then you’ve had a good season. They’re always going to be at the top. That’s just the kind of program they are.”