'Alabama' and SEC domination.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. I'm rooting for the Tide to win title also but not as optimistic as you.

I realize they've had time to heal and rest up so their defense should hopefully be recovered from some of the late season injuries.

But I do feel that going into the playoff they actually (for a change) looked like the weakest of the 4 teams. They defended the run poorly against Mississippi State and Auburn and that has been the key to their whole play style and dominance during the Saban years.

Hurts is good but not great and the team can't rely on him to push them to a win in dicey situations in my opinion. Hurts relies on the team, especially defense and run game, to put Bama in a position where he doesn't have to make a lot of good throws for them to win.

Now having said that, if the hurt defensive players being rested and healed up lets them defend the run more like early season then Bama has a good a chance as anyone left.

Luckily Clemson doesn't have DeShaun Watson this year as he was clearly better (a lot better) than Hurts and was the reason they won last year. Haven't watched the new guy much, but Clemson's D is still fearsome too.

Roll Tide, hope they win.