Clemson defeated Alabama 44-16 in last night's CFP National Championship at Levi's Stadium, a result that "knocked the playoff upside-down, and introduced the possibility of an upset to a system that's seemed nothing if not predictable all year" (SI.com, 1/8). It was a "masterful night" for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney (N.Y. POST, 1/8). Clemson "showed it's building a dynasty of its own" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/8). With the same two schools meeting in the CFP four out of five years, college football now has something it has "never experienced: a postseason playoff rivalry." Last night was "more the beginning of something new rather than the end of Alabama" (AL.com, 1/8).
FRONT-PAGE HEADLINES: Columbia State: "Perfection! Clemson No. 1" ... Florence Morning News: "Orange Crush" ... Tuscaloosa News: "Bama Bummer" ... Montgomery Advertiser: "Destiny Denied"
An “afternoon rush on tickets drove up prices for last-minute buyers on the secondary market” and resulted in a final attendance figure of 74,814. While the game “was not officially announced as a sellout,” it was just shy of Levi’s Stadium capacity of 75,000 (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 1/8).
Clemson will "hold a parade and stadium celebration Saturday morning." Parade participants will include "players, coaches, administrators, the band, cheerleaders, mascots, rally cats and more" (Columbia STATE, 1/8).
