The Clemson football program claimed its second national championship in three years on Monday, January 7 by steamrolling the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Tigers delivered 44-16 shellacking of the Crimson Tide, and now we may know why they were so successful.
According to a report from Cole Cubelic of the SEC Network, Clemson always had their eyes on Alabama.
In fact, the Tigers reportedly spent the entire bowl season focusing on their eventual opponent in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and just one week preparing for their opponent in the Cotton Bowl Classic, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Ouch.
And for the record, Clemson also steamrolled Notre Dame, 30-3.
“Spoke to a staff member at Clemson. Tigers prepped for Bama all bowl season & spent just one week on Notre Dame. Had the confidence to spend much less time on ND & devoted most of December to Alabama,” Cubelic wrote.
Spoke to a staff member at Clemson. Tigers prepped for Bama all bowl season & spent just one week on Notre Dame.
Had the confidence to spend much less time on ND & devoted most of December to Alabama. #NationalChampionship
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 11, 2019
However, that was quickly shot down by a former Clemson player.
I spoke to Clemson Coaches, this is completely false. “Quite the opposite” I was told. Spent bowl season preparing for Notre Dame. Only spent a week on Alabama… https://t.co/jLZR9qrLxk
— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) January 11, 2019
In the end, it doesn’t matter how much time was spent on either opponent, because what was clear is that Clemson was the far superior team in both matchups so whatever they decided to do was a success.
