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Alabama, Clemson fan bases confident for title game

TAMPA — It doesn’t matter whose hand the ball left. The moment it’s in the air, fans of both teams in the College Football Playoff National Championship will hold their breath. What happens next depends where the ball lands.

The secondary is an all-around sore spot, fans of both sides in Monday's game agree. University of Alabama fan Matt Day believes it’s the Crimson Tide’s weakness, just as Clemson fan Josh Troiano believes it’s the Tigers’.

“We need to stay on track with our secondary,” Troiano said Saturday while in attendance at the media day for both teams at Amalie Arena. “We need to not let guys escape down the middle of the field like we did last year. If we play good assignment football, I think we’ll be OK.”

Memories of Alabama tight end O.J. Howard running away with a 53- and 51-yard catches to score last time these two teams met in the final battle still live a year later. Troiano isn’t going to fool himself into thinking the Tigers will have Howard covered at all times. The 2016 MVP will get away somehow, he said.

There was also an onside kick that helped fuel Alabama’s 45-40 victory in Glendale, Ariz.

“We’ll be prepared for Nick’s tricks,” Troiano said. “He’s a great coach, but I think this year we’ll game plan and be ready for any surprises.”

That’s another thing the two agree on.

“Coach Saban’s not dumb, I can tell you that much,” Day said. “He knows what he is doing.”

Familiar faces will line up across from each other. The haunting Howard is back, along with defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson also returns, along with linebacker Ben Boulware.

But then, there’s Alabama’s true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts. He’s new and has thrown the college football world for a loop.

“I think Deshaun Watson is going to be good,” Day said. “He’s probably the best player in college football. I think it’s what Jalen Hurts is going to be in a few years.”

Watson and Hurts are the two people who could fully exploit the stress-inducing secondaries. They’ll decide whether people sigh a breath of relief or grunt in anger.

Neither Day nor Troiano could name a weakness about their opponent. It was quite the opposite. Concerns plague the rivals, some more than others.

“Everything about Alabama,” Troiano said. “From coaching to players, there’s not a better program in the country. Every position you look at, it’s one of the best in the country.”

The switch from Lane Kiffin to Steve Sarkisian at offensive coordinator for Alabama seems to be a non-issue to the Clemson and Alabama supporters, but Kevin Jefferis believes it could cause problems for the Crimson Tide.

Jefferis, however, wasn’t wearing any combination of crimson, orange or purple. He was decked out in Ohio State gear.

“I think I’m going to save up money for next year just in case they go,” he said.

Jefferis believes had it not been for offensive coordinator Ed Warinner’s play-calling, the Buckeyes would have beaten Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal. That’s why the Kiffin-Sarkisian fiasco doesn’t sit well with him.

When all is said and done, regardless of the outcome, the Tampa trip was worth it.

“Try to enjoy it while you can,” he said, “because unless you’re Alabama, success doesn’t last in college football.”


Game predictions

Day: Alabama 35, Clemson 17

Troiano: Clemson 42, Alabama 35

Jefferis: Clemson 28, Alabama 21


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