Defense Dominates Michigan State never went into positive rushing yards until late in the third quarter and never got the rushing game going at all.
Alabama's defense did everything they needed to do to blank the normally balanced offense.
Jake Coker played the game of his career, hooking up with Calvin Ridley for two touchdowns, and going 25 for 30 for a career-best 286 yards. Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry only had 20 carries for 75 yards, but he did barrel his way in for two scores on the ground.
Alabama has now prevented four of its last six opponents from scoring 60 points or more, but the Crimson Tide has struggled to score as well.
"Just got to keep the focus we had in preparation for this game", Coker said. Essentially in the new playoff format, four teams are named early in December who have a shot at the National Championship and this year, those four teams played in the biggest bowl games. He also hadn't kicked off in a game since September. What we would think would be an offensive shootout may turn into a defensive war in the trenches.
"There's going to be a number of times where they throw the ball deep", Tressel added.
O'Connor showed what he could do with a gritty performance filled with read option success in a 17-14 win at Ohio State.
I expected a close game in each matchup; I was horribly wrong.
Halftime-Alabama 33-28. 3-Point Goals-Norfolk St. 6-22 (Short 4-7, Robinson 1-2, Peebles-Jennings 1-2, Banner 0-1, Taylor 0-5, Oliver 0-5), Alabama 11-24 (Edwards 5-9, Obasohan 3-6, Norris 2-4, Coleman 1-2, Hale 0-1, Austin 0-1, Schaffer 0-1).
There was only one problem in his final college game: He was playing against future National Football League linemen.
In other words, "Clemson is good but Alabama is better". The Gamecocks scored the first two points in overtime but the Crimson Tide scored the next 10 to stay ideal at home this season (4-0).
Jack Conklin, Michigan State left tackle: "We thought we could handle those guys". "And I said '15 for 15, ' with the message being let's make them print 15 tickets this year, somehow, some way". The Spartan receivers found little room in the Ride secondary as the speed of the defensive backs held them in check and led to the first-half INT thrown by Connor Cook. Deshaun came out firing and connected on a gorgeous touchdown toss to Hunter Renfrow to essentially seal the deal for the Tigers.
The Tide came out trying to loosen up a Michigan State defense that typically sells out to stop the run. "We just broke their will. That's what we strive on doing". That's a play residing in its back pocket all season long, a nod to Wilkins' hailing from CT, asking Wilkins to run a wheel route and Teasdall to throw it to him in what is actually a fake punt attempt... you know, as opposed to whatever that was in the ACC title game. Clemson made just another statement to the college football world, solidifying their ranking of number one, but as Dabo said, "Won not done". I've seen him do incredible things as a quarterback, pinpoint passing, throwing the ball in tight windows.
The Crimson Tide finished the non-conference portion of their schedule by defeating the Norfolk State Spartans 68-49 on Saturday at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama played there several times, including a season-opening win over Wisconsin.
Alabama rolls in 2nd half and beats Norfolk State 68-49
