Clemson vs. Alabama: Tigers Record Blowout Win, Drake Curse Invoked

The oddsmakers predicted a close game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers – the two best teams in college football at the moment – when they faced off Monday night for the College Football Playoff National Championships.

It was anything but a close game as the Tigers ran out comfortable 44-16 winners in what was their fourth meeting in recent years to be crowned the national champions for the second time in three years. The two programs had previously met in the national title games in 2015 and 2016, with Alabama winning the first game and the Clemson taking the second.

Their most recent meeting came in last year’s playoff semi-final, which was a one-sided 24-6 victory for the Crimson Tide. True freshman Trevor Lawrence got the nod at quarterback for the Tigers this season over Kelly Bryant, who had a poor game against Alabama last year and the former has had a stellar season throwing 2,933 yards, 27 touchdowns and just four interceptions leading up to the final.

Lawrence had a flawless game in the semi-final, completing 69 percent of his passes, and he replicated that form by besting the more experienced Tua Tagovailoa – the quarterback for the Crimson Tide – in the final.

The true freshman completed 20 of his 32 passes for 347 yards, which included three touchdown passes with no interceptions. His Crimson Tide counterpart managed two touchdown passes but had two interceptions, with one sack coming in the final minutes of the game.

The Tigers became the first major college football team to go 15-0 for the season since 1897. Lawrence also became the first true freshman to win the national championship since 1985.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney, the third active coach to win multiple national championships, expressed his absolute delight for everyone involved in the Clemson football program.

"I'm so happy for our team, our fans, our administration, our former players. I know we're not supposed to be here, and I'm not supposed to be here, but we are, and I am, and how about them Tigers, man?" Swinney said.

The Alabama fans, meanwhile, were quick to blame singer Drake for their loss to the Tigers on Monday night. The Crimson Tide posted a tweet in the days leading up to the game, with the American singer providing some motivation while donning an Alabama hoodie.

It is well accepted that Drake’s allegiance to a team or an athlete comes with a curse, which was pointed out by ESPN prior to the game. And the Crimson Tide fans pointed at him immediately after the Tigers raced ahead and took an enormous lead on the way to their 44-16 win.

The Clemson Tigers official account also could not resist a dig at the singer as it became clear they were heading for their second national championship in three years.