In the week leading up to the College Football Playoff Championship Game, no one gave Clemson’s offensive line a chance at handling Alabama’s massive defensive front.
After the Crimson Tide physically dominated Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl the week before, the so-called experts thought there was no possible way Clemson could block Alabama. One national writer even tweeted just seconds before kickoff that Clemson had no chance at blocking The Crimson Tide.
Though Alabama still won the game, it had nothing to with its defensive front.
“Honestly, I thought Oklahoma’s and Notre Dame’s defensive fronts were much better,” said Joe Gore, who started for the Tigers at right tackle in the CFP Championship Game.