SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Clemson topped Alabama 44-16 on Monday to capture college football's national championship. The fourth meeting in as many years between these two powers was defined by Clemson's aggressiveness, Alabama's sloppiness and the play of the Tigers' true freshman quarterback. Here are three takeaways from the Clemson win.
1. Clemson wrestles away the crown
Alabama won the first. Clemson the second. Alabama took the third en route to another national championship. Part IV of this epic rivalry belonged to the Tigers, who took a 31-16 lead at halftime and shut down Alabama's attempts at a comeback to take the program's second title in three seasons under head coach Dabo Swinney.