With two titans clashing in Santa Clara, could the Levi’s Stadium turf cause issues in the national title between Alabama and Clemson on Monday night?
We’re getting elite versus elite on Monday night in the Bay Area. The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will face the No. 2 Clemson Tigers in the 2018 National Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Both teams are a perfect 14-0 after winning their national semifinal game in the first round of the 2019 College Football Playoff. Though both schools are dripping NFL talent, it would be a shame if poor turf is the deciding factor in this title bout.
No, this would not be the first time that the Levi’s Stadium turf has been scrutinized in recent years. Though not as reviled as the Neyland Stadium turf in Knoxville, Tennessee, there have been several issues with the playing surface in meaningful football games at this professional football venue.
New turf has been planted, but questions remain if it will hold up. There were issues in the Redbox Bowl between the Oregon Ducks and the Michigan State Spartans, as Oregon held on to beat Michigan State, 7-6. Only those who had the under really won that day.
Levi’s Stadium is also the annual home to Pac-12 Championship Game. This year, it featured the Washington Huskies versus Utah Utes, with the Huskies winning only 10-3. Again, the under won that day.
Lastly, it should be noted that this was the site of Super Bowl 50 at the end of the 2015 NFL season. Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos beat Cam Newton’s Carolina Panthers 24-10 on that Sunday in February 2016. That game was best known for Newton not diving on the ground for a loose ball on a fumble. Also, poor Michael Oher looked like he was on skates trying to protect Newton’s blind side.
Overall, history is not on Levi’s Stadium’s side in hosting big games. Add in that this is the home stadium on the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and you can see how this field can get worn down over football season, despite being in a moderate climate.
Of course, Alabama and Clemson have plenty of firepower on the offensive side of the ball that could put this nothing of poor field conditions to bed. That being said, these two teams are behemoths in the trenches. It would be a shame if one team loses its perfect 15-0 season on a missed block or sack attempt due to poor footing.
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Alabama versus Clemson IV looks to be a real treat for both college football diehards, as well as NFL fans who want to learn a thing or two about some of the great draft prospects playing in this game. Let’s hope the field stays quiet today and two elite southeastern football programs can just play ball.