Agreed. Monumentally stupid decision. It was like Alabama designed the play. I can't believe Herbstreit and the ESPN crew didn't pounce. Clemson was a half yard from handing Alabama the only possible opportunity for a miracle.
Clemson's kickoff team was wimpy all night, with all the pooch kicks. That played a role in the lousy field position they had. Alabama was starting from the 32-40 every time.
I have mixed feelings about the outcome. I despised Saban's personality so much with the Dolphins I stopped posting here because I was sure I'd be banned. There was no way I could self edit.
When he went to Alabama I started rooting against him. However, this is a pantyhose era in college football, with few exceptions. The vast majority of top programs rely on high octane offense based on spreading the field, with little or no concern to power running games or actual defensive intensity. Alabama under Saban is the one admirable exception. I've wanted to root for them but they have this annoying habit of losing a home game yet being excused into the playoffs. I despise home losses going unpunished in college football.
This time Alabama was finally clean. Clemson had the home defeat, and a high scoring embarrassment to Pittsburgh. What a dilemma. I went back and forth all night. Finally I rooted to Clemson due to the ACC alliance and the fact I can't stand Jeff Sessions. Politics never drifts too far away from my thinking. Whenever I see those Alabama fans in the stands I assign Jeff Sessions-like thought process to them. It's not too far off. South Carolina has its own beauty in Nikki Haley but at least there are some sensible areas in that state.
Sarkisian was overly cautious with the freshman quarterback. There were numerous possessions with great field position in the first half and third quarter in which another touchdown would have been a dagger. Alabama seemed to think not much could go wrong...
O.J. Howard looks like a future star. But Alabama uses him on such limited type of routes that he'll have to make an early adjustment. I get sick of all those sucker bait and switch combo routes on the sideline. Saban fell in love with them a few years ago. Overall I thought his offense was much better designed in the Mark Ingram years. That's when the current Gator coach was offensive coordinator. Alabama would kill you with delayed underneath crossing routes on third and medium. Now you never see them run that.
I'll just say it. He's the best QB prospect this side of Andrew Luck since 2010. I'd take him over Winston, because he has Winston's intelligence, instincts, and play-making ability, but he has feet like Joe Montana - just glides across the field. He's easily better than any of the prospects from the 2016, 2014, or 2013 Drafts.
