SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg and Nancy Armour break down Alabama's victory over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, the third consecutive College Football Playoff matchup between the two programs. USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS — Darned right this was personal.
For a year, Alabama has been reminded of how Clemson snatched a national title from its hands at the last second, establishing the Tigers as a legitimate threat to the Crimson Tide’s dynasty. For a month, Alabama has had its worthiness questioned, a level of disrespect that once would have been unthinkable.