Hey, haven’t y’all heard that Alabama could probably beat some NFL teams? And the SEC is head-and-shoulders the best conference in college football? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. . .
To me, it seemed like 'Bama came out at the start all full of over-confidence, like they just knew they would win no matter what. Even the pick-6 on the first possession wasn’t fazing them; they just kept playing good offensive football. But as Clemson kept managing to put up points of their own, the Tide players began to question themselves. When you start over-confident, and you get your noses rubbed in that over-confidence, it’s often the case that you don’t recover in time. After a while, 'Bama was just going through the motions. The really, REALLY stupid “fake” field goal attempt was an example.
Good summary.
I think Alabama was still mentally in the game after the pick six. But the ability of Clemson to move the ball down the field quickly and to score on 2, 3, or 4 plays…that started getting into Alabama’s head, and not just the players’ heads but also the coaches heads. Alabama was playing off the receivers, though I don’t know if it would have made a difference one way or the other. Trevor Lawrence was hitting his spots consistently. He was connecting with receivers in stride. He was accurate underneath, and he was accurate with the deep ball.
Alabama’s not used to seeing Clemson’s speed and athleticism (who is?); they’re used to seeing big bodied linemen loading up the box. Granted, as college offenses have evolved the last 10 years, we’re seeing less and less SEC “load the box” football, but the point is that Alabama’s style, which works against bigger, stronger, but slower SEC teams…was ill-suited against Clemson. The Tigers were just better at doing everything that Alabama was supposed to be the best at doing. Until last night, Alabama had never played a team with receivers as good as theirs - Clemson’s were better. They had never played a team with a QB who could throw the deep ball as well as Tua - Lawrence was better. Clemson beat them pretty much at every position I can think of.
That Clemson receiver (or was it more than one?) pulled down a few great catches in the 2nd half (I didn’t see first half). I was pretty impressed.
I believe you are referring to Phenix City, Alabama native Justyn Ross.
One tendency of dynasty teams is that, they are so unaccustomed to trailing against an underdog, that they go into panic mode and can’t cope and dig the hole further deeper. The notion that they might seriously, in fact, lose, is alien to them.
Well, that was…unambiguous. 
Are you telling me that a power run, with the kicker as a lead blocker, against a defense who is sitting back and daring you to fake the kick on 4th and 6, is a bad call?
The fake FG was all the worse given that the Alabama kicker and holder noticed that the Clemson defense was in on it, and looked towards the sidelines like “Do we really want to do this after all?” and still went through with it anyway.
Nick Saban doesn’t value place kicking.
He insists on having his QB be the holder always so that he has someone to throw it when he fakes a kick. Of course that means the holder can’t devote too much time toward special teams practices because it turns out (surprise!) being a QB is kind of important and there’s more important stuff for him to work on. So Alabama has awful kicking as a result. Many missed extra points and field goals, and people aren’t that surprised when you try to fake it.
Well, when you put it THAT way… 
I am seeing two polls still listing Alabama #1 over Clemson! WTF???
The SEC circle-jerk is strong.
Alabama’s not the only one getting exposed.
Looks like they’re the same poll.
From early December.
Just noticed that date. Which is strange, because it also lists the playoff series results.
Given that Clemson is #1 in the other three FBS polls, I’d guess that playoff one was only used for the seeding.
ETA: Given how badly Alabama was annihilated by Clemson, is it possible to think Notre Dame isn’t ACTUALLY as trash as they seemed to be?
Does anybody else think we’re getting to the point of needing an “NCAA College Football Hot Stove League” thread? Keeping up with the transfers and decommits is hard!
Fingers crossed that we (FSU) get Hurts. Guaranteed starter in an offensive scheme that will highlight his talents. C’mon, Jalen, we’re waiting!
FSU dismisses their QB. Ugh, going to be yet another long season.
Taggert made the right call here IMHO.
I will admit that I am assuming he’s got deeper knowledge that just the media stories - like a face-to-face with Francois and/or the woman involved.