Alabama vs. Clemson 2008 Shaped Where the Two Teams Are Now
Start writing a post

Alabama Versus Clemson: The Game That Launched Both Programs Toward Dynasty Status

As Alabama and Clemson play once again for all the college football marbles, this game in 2008 helped spark what these programs have become today.

16
football stadium

Most people who watch and follow college football could've never imagined what would happen to either team who participated in the first-ever Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, played in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on August 30, 2008. Alabama was the underdog against a top-10 ranked Clemson team. Looking back, it's hard to believe Alabama was an underdog in that game.

The 24th-ranked Crimson Tide dominated Clemson in that game, 34-10. Later that season, the Tigers would fire their head coach at that time, which was Terry Bowden. Little did they know that his successor, Dabo Swinney, would be the coach to allow this program to burst onto the national scene.

That year, the Tide went 12-2 in Nick Saban's second season as head coach, losing only to the 2008 national champions Florida and Utah in the Sugar Bowl that season. Clemson limped to a 7-6 record (ironically the same record Alabama had the year before), with Dabo Swinney taking over midway through the season. Dabo would later earn the full-time head coaching job.

Fast forward a few years to January 2016. These two teams faced off again, this time for a National Championship. Clemson entered the game 14-0, while Alabama was 13-1. In what was a classic game, which included a second-half comeback by Alabama in part due to a gutsy onside kick, the Tide beat Clemson 45-40 to win the National Championship for the 2015 season.

The next season, the two teams once again played one another for a National Championship. With Alabama leading 31-28 in the fourth after a Jalen Hurts touchdown drive, Deshaun Watson threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow to win the National Championship, 35-31, on the game's final play. That game marked the first time Nick Saban lost in a National Championship game.

The two teams once again played in the 2017 season, this time in the Sugar Bowl, which was one of the two semifinal games last season. Alabama won convincingly in that game, 24-6, behind an interception and touchdown reception by defensive lineman Daron Payne. Alabama went on to beat Georgia the following week in a second-half comeback sparked by true freshman sensation Tua Tagovailoa to win the National Championship 26-23, in what went down as an instant classic of a game, won by Tua's pass to Devonta Smith on 2nd & 26 in overtime.


On Monday night, Alabama and Clemson will once again play for all the college football marbles. Both teams enter the National Championship in the California Bay Area 14-0, with the winner being the first team to win 15 games since Penn did so in the late 1890s. Both teams have dynamic quarterbacks and playmakers on each side of the ball. While I hope that the Tide will roll to victory, this matchup could go either way.

Just imagine how different everything could've been for both teams had Clemson won that 2008 game against Alabama. Dabo would probably still be an unknown person, possibly taking a job at a lower tier program. Terry Bowden might still be the Clemson coach. Nick Saban might've had to take longer to build the dynasty he has built, with 5 national championships in 9 seasons.

Clemson may not have even won the 2016 season National Championship.

That game in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in 2008 helped launch both teams into the success they are currently seeing. Without that game, or even with a different result in that game, we might not have seen these two programs become as successful as they have.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58304
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37564
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959186
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193263
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments