01-08-17 MFB CFP Press Conference
Nick Saban
Photo by Kent Gidley/Robert Sutton
The Crimson Tide and Tigers are scheduled for a 7:17 p.m. CT kickoff at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 9
TAMPA, Fla. – The top-ranked Alabama football team wrapped up its practice schedule with a walkthrough on Sunday afternoon, the team’s final workout before Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Sunday’s walkthrough put the final touches on the game plan for Monday’s meeting with No. 2 Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Alabama will square off with ACC champion Clemson on ESPN at 7:17 p.m. CT with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit covering the game from the booth while Tom Rinaldi and Samantha Ponder work each sideline. The contest with the Tigers will be the Crimson Tide’s fifth time in eight seasons playing in college football’s final game of the season to determine a national champion.
Sunday’s schedule began with Alabama head coach Nick Saban joining Clemson’s Dabo Swinney for the CFP Head Coaches Press Conference at the Tampa Convention Center before the team traveled to the University of South Florida in the afternoon for the walkthrough at the USF practice fields.
Alabama and Clemson will meet for the 17th time in the history of the two programs, with the Crimson Tide owning a 13-3 all-time advantage in the series. While the Tigers won the initial three meetings, the Tide have won the last 13 contests, outscoring Clemson 435-94 over that span. The most recent meeting between the two teams occurred in last season’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game when Alabama rallied for a 45-40 win to capture the program’s 16th national championship. Tight end O.J. Howard earned offensive MVP honors in the victory after catching five passes for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns.
