USA TODAY Sports' Dan Wolken recaps the Peach Bowl and what lies ahead for Alabama and Washington. USA TODAY Sports
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Alabama squeezes the energy out of its opposition through repetition: run, pass, tackle, sack, interception, touchdown. Cue the confetti.
By the end of four quarters, this python-like formula yields a victory. Alabama has won 26 games in a row, the latest a suffocating 24-7 win against Washington in the Peach Bowl.
It wasn’t that the Crimson Tide played well, relatively speaking. At times, in fact, the Tide were stymied by Washington’s defense, though the Huskies failed to achieve anything of consequence on offense following a first-quarter touchdown.
But the formula was on display. With devastating effectiveness, Alabama took a sledgehammer to Washington’s offensive and defensive game plans, turning a top-four team — the best squad his team had faced all season, Nick Saban said this week — into the latest to try and fail to upend the Tide’s quest for another national championship.
Hours later, here at University of Phoenix Stadium, Clemson effectively smothered Ohio State, rolling past the Buckeyes in a 31-0 victory that highlighted the Tigers’ intimidating combination of a wide-open offense and a stifling and physical defense.
The offense was effective despite two more interceptions from junior quarterback Deshaun Watson. The defense put the clamps down on Ohio State from the start, dominating the battle along the line of scrimmage and bottling up the Buckeyes’ already inconsistent downfield passing game.
What is most impressive about the 31-point win is that Clemson, like Alabama, should not be satisfied with its overall performance. Though the defense was outstanding, there were still moments of offensive inconsistency.
For their efforts, the Tigers get the big, bad Crimson Tide. The matchup — Jan. 9 in Tampa — will be what we expected from the College Football Playoff: No. 1 vs. No. 2, the two best in the country meeting to decide the national championship.
So how do you beat Alabama? There’s the obvious prerequisite amount of athleticism, something the Tigers have in spades. It’ll take experience on this sort of stage, another asset in Clemson’s corner. It might also take a degree of perfection.
But the biggest key to beating Alabama, as seen in the program’s precious few losses during the Saban-led dynasty, is to zig when the Tide zag — to not be traditional, as was Washington, and play to the Tide’s strengths, but to be unpredictable.
This is where Clemson shines, particularly on offense. That was on clear display in last season’s championship game, where the Tigers gained 550 yards on offense, 405 through the air, in a 45-40 loss.
Unlike Washington, the Tigers aren’t traditional; they are multiple in formation, quick in tempo and varied in spacing, three factors that gave Alabama fits last January — and may do the same when the two meet in the rematch in Tampa.
A year later, look for Clemson to utilize a similar blueprint. Simultaneously, however, don’t be surprised if Alabama is far better prepared for what the Tigers bring to the table, and also equipped to taste a comparable degree of success with its own offensive attack.
Flip the question from above: How do you beat Clemson? It’s almost required that you lean on the same sort of fast-break tempo. Clemson’s lone loss, to Pittsburgh, came because the Panthers were able to match the Tigers’ offensive proficiency. And despite struggling to find their footing against Washington, the Tide have what it takes to hang with Clemson’s offense.
The game should be high-scoring. It should feature more of the same from Watson, this year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up, and more touches for Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough, who gained 180 yards in the Tide’s win against Washington.
It will feature a smorgasbord of NFL-ready talent and two of the best coaching staffs in college football — with Swinney, a former Alabama wide receiver, already mentioned as Saban’s potential successor at his alma mater.
More than anything, the national championship will pit the two best teams in the country. Which is how it should be. What more can you ask for?
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALL THE BOWL GAMES
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![Clemson running back Wayne Gallman (9) leaps over Ohio](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/56ad74cd9d863728ac9becced0b9e45b6cc88b35/c=93-0-4203-3090&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188252593723296-USATSI-9780643.jpg)
![Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs in a touchdown](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c0c624e941574fb8ba92878e28b76761e256ded0/c=69-0-3578-2638&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188252599183331-USATSI-9780507.jpg)
![Clemson running back C.J. Fuller (27) reacts after](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/25a78ec488fd763c7807f713d97d6c5aa0524776/c=113-0-3106-2250&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188158174666695-USATSI-9780251.jpg)
![Clemson running back C.J. Fuller (27) catches a touchdown](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a8302347d4aee592983af404d8aa563028e07341/c=0-16-2143-1628&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188158180126730-USATSI-9780249.jpg)
![Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) is stopped](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac2f93c7f30c5322a4bfa74b51a050905b403365/c=150-0-3653-2634&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188158175758702-USATSI-9780145.jpg)
![Ohio State safety Malik Hooker (24) intercepts a pass](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a8804a04ce7ee8bb4ff6d75703a119ca0223e42c/c=0-0-3304-2484&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188158173418687-USATSI-9780213.jpg)
![Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) throws under](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/4277e5c0e185589c858c490528f730192128f9e3/c=0-0-3727-2802&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/31/USATODAY/USATODAY/636188158169518662-USATSI-9780307.jpg)
![Michigan cornerback Channing Stribling and safety Dymonte](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/b9dff4260be79d298fec4431d4d26b3c9a1020a9/c=356-0-3173-2118&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/30/USATODAY/USATODAY/636187341545219760-USATSI-9778104.jpg)
![Florida State defensive back Trey Marshall, left, and](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/2516f87bba0b167edce59ec966b36ed71ba82959/c=868-161-3970-2493&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/30/USATODAY/USATODAY/636187341554579940-USATSI-9778105.jpg)
![South Alabama running back Xavier Johnson loses control](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/da347e4d73f9ead136542cfc3f00b9477a0e885c/c=172-0-2976-2108&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/30/USATODAY/USATODAY/636187341553799925-USATSI-9777480.jpg)
![South Alabama quarterback Dallas Davis is tackled by](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8177468f866b90fda0ac479427bee41deb2f794c/c=198-0-2980-2092&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/30/USATODAY/USATODAY/636187341533831541-USATSI-9777992.jpg)
![Indiana running back Devine Redding is tackled by Utah](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/4a933eb2b50d55f26218c90a76126d0842e3560a/c=175-0-3355-2391&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/29/USATODAY/USATODAY/636185745041194356-USATSI-9773691.jpg)
![Utah place kicker Andy Phillips kicks a field goal](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/b7f4e66ae631e3acef7b72c027e2f0f7d13f1d54/c=988-208-4220-2638&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/29/USATODAY/USATODAY/636185745067714866-USATSI-9773682.jpg)
![Kansas State defensive back Kendall Adams intercepts](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/4abc72a30f1928ca653e5f0f16dc275a31f95a3f/c=112-0-2411-3065&r=295&c=0-0-292-390/local/-/media/2016/12/29/USATODAY/USATODAY/636185745065062815-USATSI-9773422.jpg)
![Texas A&M wide receiver Josh Reynolds makes a touchdown](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c7420ddc28ddfadc4b4a6fb0478bb9bcb927df5b/c=539-50-1919-1088&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/29/USATODAY/USATODAY/636185745104843580-USATSI-9773573.jpg)
![Baylor interim head coach Jim Grobe is doused with](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/57a5585644ba0e31cc5e9225b9e33592cb0aa175/c=581-0-5177-3456&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/28/USATODAY/USATODAY/636184901775670274-USATSI-9771933.jpg)
![Boise State running back Jeremy McNichols is upended](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8839193adb3fc9158ae3e4cdb018f3d104a36f3f/c=30-0-3641-2715&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/28/USATODAY/USATODAY/636184901775670274-USATSI-9771647.jpg)
![Minnesota running back Shannon Brooks jumps out of](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f49c4079f7a577d0ac23802adda50823ffac613f/c=2-0-3803-2858&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/28/USATODAY/USATODAY/636184826649644700-USATSI-9771752.jpg)
![Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner is tackled by Washington](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0c801613f86ac31de54bfda01f98fe5accb0f85d/c=281-0-4453-3137&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/28/USATODAY/USATODAY/636184826640440641-USATSI-9771116.jpg)
![Minnesota receiver Drew Wolitarsky attempts to catch](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/b6e27013088315faa1984c84d08b44843e39cf27/c=847-179-3263-1995&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/28/USATODAY/USATODAY/636184826609864445-USATSI-9771104.jpg)
![North Carolina State tight end Jaylen Samuels (1) reaches](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ac4d232c717177558c706e075fdd2865b292df05/c=219-0-2348-1601&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/26/USATODAY/USATODAY/636183802416480779-USATSI-9769341.jpg)
![North Carolina State tight end Jaylen Samuels (1) carries](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/479b856c4a8f1e190ced53e9fe8691986e6915f6/c=231-0-1877-1237&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/26/USATODAY/USATODAY/636183802364687783-USATSI-9769340.jpg)
![North Carolina State defensive end Kentavius Street](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a45b7b8dc3947341480ac0a234dbc362ca48ca99/c=82-0-2334-1693&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/26/USATODAY/USATODAY/636183802430053040-USATSI-9769345.jpg)
![Hawaii running back Diocemy Saint Juste (22) runs through](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/7b755814bb258c58783a1f647fc63f6a351a7359/c=0-57-2902-2239&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/25/USATODAY/USATODAY/636182237532567354-USATSI-9767823.jpg)
![Troy cornerback Kamryn Melton breaks up a pass intended](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/949ec6666edc19c74597e93220c1a17b7b90cc74/c=392-0-3744-2520&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181431607122593-USATSI-9765650.jpg)
![Ohio wide receiver Jordan Reid catches a pass for a](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a41108c4f76caafcc0f2caf26b15f9479560d5b2/c=0-0-2967-2231&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181431602910566-USATSI-9765798.jpg)
![Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers drops back to pass](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/c8c19fde1a0ce983564562a5e81f84efb8ed9611/c=87-0-3315-2427&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181431594330511-USATSI-9766047.jpg)
![Ohio running back Papi White catches a pass for a](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a212f2435f4e89e75370f5d22463a89c19dc0822/c=0-0-3276-2463&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181431601662558-USATSI-9765654.jpg)
![Louisiana Tech players hold up the championship trophy](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0583ce60940614654456737f411f9d0086b1a8bf/c=70-0-2899-2127&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181344471300614-USATSI-9765509.jpg)
![Navy running back Tre Walker runs the ball against](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/5599f23ef56f01e3c89fc06029ff36aa6d1b1f69/c=121-0-3582-2602&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181344481758242-USATSI-9765266.jpg)
![Louisiana Tech wide receiver Trent Taylor runs with](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/cf271b7c911cac1c70c5835af569ec7da63417fb/c=252-0-3485-2431&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181344471144530-USATSI-9765190.jpg)
![Louisiana Tech wide receiver Carlos Henderson runs](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ba8b3f472c8039a2a909c792222062e2c49e0795/c=219-0-3649-2579&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/24/USATODAY/USATODAY/636181344472549286-USATSI-9765283.jpg)
![Colorado State Rams defensive back Tyree Simmons (5)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/4c3801aced0b256491906c0ec3f42f6e10c489c4/c=256-0-3243-2246&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/22/USATODAY/USATODAY/636180427323204271-USATSI-9763228.jpg)
![Idaho Vandals running back Isaiah Saunders (21) salutes](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f41378fdbb515dde5dc15e6809af9281419de79a/c=687-0-4470-2844&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/22/USATODAY/USATODAY/636180431995590222-USATSI-9763126.jpg)
![Dec 22, 2016; Boise, ID, USA; Idaho Vandals running](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/bf799c79a9ec8d7797cfef7e064375f8fd7a5d1f/c=0-0-2633-1980&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/22/USATODAY/USATODAY/636180427321956263-USATSI-9763123.jpg)
![Idaho Vandals tight end Deon Watson (3) reaches back](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/7f1e6f6114ad9fff10daa026b18b472ec6ecccc0/c=0-0-3704-2785&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/22/USATODAY/USATODAY/636180427326324291-USATSI-9763154.jpg)
![Brigham Young Cougars tight end Tanner Balderree (89)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/38a871ac33eb536588b7be31192f28cd8299e663/c=0-0-4039-3037&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/22/USATODAY/USATODAY/636179620663005170-USATSI-9761820.jpg)
![Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Dayan Lake (5)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8b20a0d801af86070ef180baf1ca4a50ebd77eaf/c=0-0-2867-2156&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/22/USATODAY/USATODAY/636179620661757162-USATSI-9761822.jpg)
![Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Andrew Eide](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f8edc651079110631abd30b7b6f73573c2abcb27/c=273-0-3841-2683&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/21/USATODAY/USATODAY/636179600330302833-USATSI-9761613.jpg)
![Brigham Young Cougars running back Jamaal Williams](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/95cf44b950d24f40e1bb720834aa25f70e35b73c/c=0-0-1862-1400&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/21/USATODAY/USATODAY/636179580423015223-USATSI-9761447.jpg)
![Wyoming Cowboys fullback Drew Van Maanen (36) looks](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/de600913b7f5e77befa68d4147671e89396d5b12/c=0-0-4315-3244&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/21/USATODAY/USATODAY/636179580429723266-USATSI-9761448.jpg)
![Western Kentucky teammates celebrate with the trophy](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/555d4fec0d369d5e3aa46dd369a4f70c1d8bf6ab/c=471-0-4115-2740&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/21/USATODAY/USATODAY/636178820811035154-USATSI-9759749.jpg)
![Western Kentucky linebacker Drew Davis pressures Memphis](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/1b47bfaada93f65f8ad4d563be062851f2db36ea/c=474-37-2476-1542&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/21/USATODAY/USATODAY/636178820810879151-USATSI-9759841.jpg)
![Memphis defensive back Chris Morley brings down Western](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/d9f143af59eef61631e05ef79ca8ba61315d5bb5/c=386-132-2450-1684&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/20/USATODAY/USATODAY/636178690215962092-USATSI-9758843.jpg)
![Western Kentucky linebacker Keith Brown brings down](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a23d1a169a97852cb9f0f4f9e4f03e802a315f65/c=0-207-3120-2553&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/20/USATODAY/USATODAY/636178690205665894-USATSI-9759063.jpg)
![Memphis wide receiver Tony Pollard scores a touchdown](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/a4ed6cd487c9e0663c79883cf426ad8d8dcf3ed5/c=476-0-4240-2830&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/20/USATODAY/USATODAY/636178690218926149-USATSI-9758835.jpg)
![Western Kentucky mascot Big Red performs during the](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/80212dafae04a331406f733cb6a3510128e90165/c=469-0-4184-2793&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/20/USATODAY/USATODAY/636178690219082152-USATSI-9758842.jpg)
![Southern Miss defensive back Tarvarius Moore (18) intercepts](http://web.archive.org./web/20170101052515/http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/fa6068a44bb34e8f8207a23cd1cb9e0af50bd957/c=157-0-3513-2523&r=x393&c=520x390/local/-/media/2016/12/18/USATODAY/USATODAY/636176239372467022-USATSI-9753292.jpg)
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