One year later and we find ourselves in the same place as January 2016: Alabama and Clemson going toe to toe for the title of National Champions. In last year’s nail-biting game, Alabama pulled ahead for a 45-40 win earning them the Championship title. This year, the title is ours .
To get technical, we not only have the best player in college football as our quarterback, but our entire offense possesses incredible talent. Having Deon Cain, who wasn’t allowed to play in the playoffs last year, playing this year will make a huge difference in our performance. Mike Williams, Wayne Gallman, Ray-Ray McCloud, Artavis Scott, Deon Cain, and many more offensive players will be fired up and ready to run the ball to the end.
Our defense, having showed us all year what they are capable of, are ready to perform tonight. In the Fiesta bowl, our defense denied all points of behalf of Ohio State. Ben Boulware, defensive leader, will have his boys fired up and ready to go.
After the heartbreaking loss last year, the Tigers are, “coming back, that chip on our shoulder was big enough to fuel us this year” says Clemson’s linebacker Ben Boulware. After having come so close to the Championship and watching it slip through their fingers, the Tigers have a drive this year that will roll right over that Crimson Tide.
I won’t say Alabama doesn’t work hard, because that simply isn’t true. That’s how they achieved their perfect record this year and made it to the National Championship. But Clemson, we’ve worked harder than ever this year. Howard told his players back in 1967, "If you're going to give me 110 percent, you can rub that rock. If you're not, keep your filthy hands off of it." It’s in our blood to work hard in Death Valley, and that is a quality that extends to any stadium across the nation.
If there’s anything that Clemson triumphs in, it’s heart. Anyone who watches Dabo coach can see how he inspires his players and brings heart to the field. “You don’t luck up and get to BCS games - you earn your way there,” Dabo tells his players, “And you don’t luck up and win them - you’ve got to earn it on the field.” We earned our win at the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve and now we’re ready to earn our win tonight.
Clemson is so much more than a University, it’s a family. Tonight, Tiger fans everywhere will be cheering on our Clemson to victory. Alabama, it’s time to pack your bags and roll your little tide right on back to your “Sweet Home, Alabama.” This year, the title is ours.
