Alabama vs Clemson: FanSided expert picks and predictions

Alabama and Clemson play in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the FanSided staff makes their picks.

The College Football Playoff: National Championship Game gives fans a rematch of last year’s game that saw the Alabama Crimson Tide beating the Clemson Tigers, 45-40. Nick Saban’s team looks for a second championship in a row and fifth since 2009. A potential sixth ring for Saban would also tie him with former Alabama coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant with six overall.

Standing in the way of history is Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, a former walk-on receiver who won a national championship with Alabama in 1992 under Gene Stallings. Swinney seeks his first career national title as a coach. If he’s going to get it, he’ll need two-time Heisman finalist, Deshaun Watson to repeat what he did last year vs Alabama.

Watson completed 30-of-47 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns and 73 rushing yards to almost led Clemson to the program’s first national title since 1981. Watson can cement his legacy as the best player in program history with an MVP performance on Monday night.

Clemson enters the game a 6.5 point underdog so the money is on Alabama to win the game. The FanSided staff and our guest site expert, Cody Williams from NFL Spin Zone, make their picks for the game below (alphabetical order).

That’s 9/10 picking Alabama to add to their trophy case with the school’s 17th national championship in football. Collins is the only one to pick the upset. Clemson did play exceptionally well in the Fiesta Bowl when they shutout the Ohio State Buckeyes, 31-0. The change to Steve Sarkisian who was takes over as offensive coordinator for the game after Lane Kiffin was let go.

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Alabama and Clemson kick off from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, FL at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler will be on the television broadcast.