Clemson receiver Justyn Ross has been expecting this game for a long time.
The Phenix City, Ala., native, who chose the Tigers over in-state Alabama on National Signing Day about 11 months ago, has known all along that his two finalists would likely face off in the College Football Playoff.
The matchup taking place became official Saturday night as the Tigers defeated Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl and Alabama held off Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.
Now the top two programs in college football and the two programs that Ross considered will play for the national title on Jan.