But the pass from PSU quarterback Todd Blackledge looks so much like Tagovailoa's pass to Smith that it's eerie. If they had won, do you want to see them compete against the Alabamas and Clemsons of the world? College football country is Trump country, and the presence of Southeastern Conference teams from Alabama and Georgia ― states that both went resoundingly for him ― made it a safe bet he'd face little jeering from fans. He was the most valuable player in the Elite 11 quarterback competition and at Nike's "The Opening".
Hardman, quarterback Jake Fromm, tailback D'Andre Swift, defensive tackle Tyler Clark, outside linebacker D'Andre Walker, safety J.R. Reed and kicker Rodrigo Blankenship are among players to build around. Ridley is a sophomore. "The message to the team tonight after this game was I hope you take something from this game and the resiliency that you showed in this game and it helps you be more successful in life. That's how I knew what was going on".
Trailing 13-0 at halftime, Saban turned to Tagovailoa.
Alabama 26, Georgia 23 in OT wasn't just another title fresh off the assembly line.
This is the Crimson Tide's second College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship and their fifth since 2009.
"It has definitely set the standard", Fromm said.
So, a magical season is now over.
The lefty was far more successful on drive No. 2. His coaching staff is filled with teachers who know how to get through to the best players and inspire their best efforts. Seniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel kneeled as crimson and white confetti fell on their shoulders.
"The big goal at the end was to win the natty", junior Terry Godwin said.
If you didn't watch at all, hit the internet to see all the key plays.
"He sees spacing on the field".
"I haven't really thought about it, to be honest with you", he said. We know we can do better, and we decline to let our underdog status dictate our future. This is the ninth time in the last 12 seasons that a team from the SEC has won the national championship.
While speaking to Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde after the victory, Tagovailoa revealed that he spoke in tongues throughout the entire game to keep calm during a high-pressure second half against the Bulldogs. "We were watching my phone and watching the game and just screaming the whole time".
Nick Saban has never lost to one of his former assistant coaches, although Smart came close. That led to Alabama benching quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of Tagovailoa at the start of the third quarter. He's very talented and he's very smart.
But Alabama was Alabama and just continued to chip away and got back into the game. The left side started cheering I knew it was us and we got the first down or we scored a touchdown.
"Everyone, the whole of the offensive linemen, came up and hugged me [when] I missed", he said. In addition, they received 4 first-place votes out of the 61 in the AP poll. He's an overall complete guy.
"Smitty" - DeVonta Smith - hauled in the game-winning touchdown. "He did a good job, made some plays in the passing game".
The second drive was when things opened up. He allows himself far less time to celebrate actually winning titles, even ones as dramatic as this one.
