The Alabama Crimson Tide came out swinging against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl. Although the Sooners found a momentum after a 21-point deficit in the first quarter (an Orange Bowl record set for the most points scored in the first quarter), they just couldn’t quite come back and the Tide drove off to victory, 45-34.
Alabama’s offense, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, was just a tad bit better than what Oklahoma’s defense could handle. Tua went 24-for-27 for 318 yards and four touchdowns. He surpassed Andrew Luck’s record (74 percent) in completion percentage in the Orange Bowl with his mark of 89 percent. The Crimson Tide running backs made some key contributions, as well in the victory. Josh Jacobs led them with 15 carries for 98 yards and Damien Harris had 13 carries for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Devonta Smith led the receivers with 6 receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown.
Alabama’s defense gave up 471 total yards and most points , which are the most they have given up all season. Heisman winner Kyler Murray balled out against the Crimson Tide tough defense for 308 passing yards with three touchdowns and rushed for 109 yards.
Going into the National Championship against arguably the toughest (maybe the second) team in the nation in the Clemson Tigers, the Crimson Tide have some fine tuning to do with the defense. Of course, Nick Saban will have them 100 percent ready for their fourth meeting in the College Football Playoffs and third in the CFP Title Game.