the    sides

What the domination of Clemson really means:

1. That Alabama can get juiced up for a big game and deliver.
It was nice to see Alabama respond to the second half opening kickoff going for a touchdown. Last year, that would have sparked a 21-0 run by Clemson and the game either being decided on the last play or overtime.

Not this weekend. Alabama just ran down the field, shoving the Clemson defensive line around for a couple of 14 play drives and some touchdowns.

2. Clemson was overrated or underprepared or both.
Clemson was supposed to be the beast of the ACC. They were supposed to be the leaders in the resurgence of ACC football. They didn’t look that way. They looked confused, angry at each other, and tentative. In short, they looked like Duke…the football team.

To make matters worse, the rest of their conference mates didn’t do much better. NC State gets shut out by South Carolina. VT gets upset by East Carolina. Virginia rolled over and died to a USC team that lost 10 players to the NFL draft. The big win of the weekend? North Carolina holds off McNeese State in the 4th quarter or I guess you could take the Wake Forest win over that Texas powerhouse Baylor.

3. Alabama will take some chances…but not with the ball.
Last year was a highlight reel of big plays and game saving scores. I think Saban would be okay if that never happened again. They gambled on defense and special teams. When Tippet trotted out to kick a 54-yard field goal to start the game, I groaned. This is the kid that missed an extra point and a field goal and another field goal in a loss to Arkansas. He’s shanked the easiest of kicks.

He drilled it. On defense, they blitzed, went for some pics, and even got a couple. But on offense - they kept it simple. Run left, run right, toss right, easy passes to number 88 - (Hey Clemson, that’s called a Tight End and he can run and catch the ball past the line of scrimmage. Might want to cover that position in your next few games.)

So congrats to the Tide…but there are more to play.