Spotlight. Buzz. Focus—
Every year, the final battle for the NCAA National Championship garners massive attention, with an average viewership reaching 50 million or more. This year, the excitement hit unprecedented levels due to the two teams facing off.
Alabama and Clemson were meeting in the finals for the second consecutive year, a showdown on the grandest stage to rekindle old rivalries and settle new scores.
Moreover—
These two teams were ranked first and second in the NCAA this season, and both had shown dominant form in the semifinals, crushing their opponents and defending their status as the season's strongest.
Undoubtedly, this was the ultimate showdown.
No one wanted to miss it. No one should miss it.
So, who would prevail?
To be fair, Alabama's Crimson Tide had demonstrated absolute dominance, remaining unbeaten all season. They maintained their steady and commanding performances, showing prowess on both sides of the ball, leading many to believe this was Coach Saban's most complete team to date.
But were they perfect?
No, not quite.
Astute fans had noted a flaw—Alabama had yet to face a truly top-tier quarterback this season.
No Jackson, no Watson, no Mayfield, and so on. Although Alabama had played against some traditionally strong offensive teams, they hadn't faced a powerful passing offense. The defense, led by Allen, hadn't encountered the severe test of an elite quarterback.
Until now.
Whether people liked Watson or not, whether they believed in his words or not, the fact remained—Watson was the toughest and most challenging test Alabama had faced all season.
If there was one team that could potentially beat Alabama, it was Watson's Clemson Tigers. Some even believed Clemson was better suited for the task than Jackson's Louisville Cardinals—
Last year, Clemson almost pulled it off. They were so close.
This year, the fully upgraded and matured Clemson Tigers were once again challenging Alabama's Crimson Tide.
Glimpses of this could be seen in the Peach Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl.
While Alabama performed well, they still showed some vulnerabilities; Clemson, on the other hand, was flawless, displaying fierce determination and a peak mental state. Clemson had positioned itself to seize the championship, making it an important variable in this year's epic clash.
In contrast, Coach Saban sensed the immense pressure his team faced, and had already issued a strict media blackout, indicating his concerns about the mental stability of this young group under pressure. His aim was to maintain their focus as much as possible.
These subtle shifts in posture indicated a shift in momentum between the two teams.
After all, in a battle of titans, mindset and mental state are the keys to delivering top-level performances.
Could the Clemson Tigers actually break Alabama's undefeated record?
For this reason, pre-game predictions by experts slightly diverged from the norm, with opinions leaning slightly towards Clemson's chances of toppling Alabama.
The odds in Las Vegas reflected a similar sentiment.
That said, the predictions were not overwhelmingly one-sided; supporters for both teams were fairly balanced. Still, whether supporting Alabama or Clemson, there was consensus on one point:
The game would be incredibly close, with the outcome likely decided by a single touchdown. The difference between heaven and hell could come down to a single moment, a single mistake, or a single decision.
Before the final battle for the National Championship, there were several bowl games to be played— the Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, and so on. From December 31st to January 6th, these various bowl games took the spotlight to wrap up the season.
And then, the ultimate showdown would arrive—
On January 9th, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Richmond-James Stadium in Florida hosted the final duel between two teams for college football supremacy. The stadium was packed to capacity.
Just a week prior, the stadium hosted the final round of NFL regular season games, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeating their divisional rivals, the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, even that victory wasn't enough to secure a playoff spot, and both teams' seasons ended there.
But in the blink of an eye, the stadium was now set to witness the grand finale of this NCAA season. Fans from every corner of North America poured in to celebrate college football's ultimate event.
The atmosphere rivaled that of the Super Bowl.
The air itself seemed to be on fire.
Not only the fans, not only the players, but the coaching staff of both teams were also fueled with adrenaline.
Saban and Swinney. Swinney and Saban. Their eyes met from across the field.
Standing at Richmond-James Stadium, they both recalled the spring training scrimmage from last April. It seemed their foresight and planning had been spot on— their preparations and strategies had paid off, and both teams had reached Tampa to battle for the championship.
Clemson's young head coach, Swinney, took a deep breath and clenched his fist to regain his composure.
He hadn't forgotten that scrimmage. More accurately, he repeatedly watched the footage from that game to remind himself of the humiliation.
In that game, Clemson not only lost, but squandered a 21-point lead. Even with the starters on the field in the fourth quarter, they couldn't hold on.
He had been waiting for this opportunity for revenge, waiting for a chance to defeat Saban in an official game. Watson's thoughts mirrored his own:
Swinney prayed that Alabama wouldn't lose. If anyone were to defeat them, it had to be Clemson. He prayed day and night for this.
Now, his prayers were answered.
He wouldn't let the nightmare repeat itself. He would defeat his opponent convincingly. They had spent an entire season preparing for this moment.
Head held high. Chest out.
Swinney clenched his fist, his eyes radiating unwavering resolve.
At 8 p.m., the referee blew the whistle to start the game.
In the coin toss, Clemson correctly called heads and chose the field side, giving Alabama the opportunity to start on offense in the first half. This meant Watson would lead Clemson's offense to open the second half.
The game of chess had begun.
Tension!
Intensity!
Fury!
The atmosphere at Richmond-James Stadium erupted with overwhelming energy. A National Championship game is like no other— the entire ambiance and sense of urgency were palpable even before the first snap.
Then, amidst the deafening cheers and roars of the crowd, Hurts led the offense onto the field.
Lance was among them. He glanced at the stands, taking in the vibrant energy and overwhelming noise that sent echoes through his heart like the pounding beat of a drum. He knew he was ready.
The battle was on.
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Powerstones?
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