Clemson vs. Alabama: 2016-17 season breakdown

In a much-hyped showdown between two college football powerhouses, the Trojans were no match for Alabama. Former USC head coach Lane Kiffin, then the Bama offensive coordinator, got revenge on his former employer with his offense rushing for 242 yards and throwing for 223 more. 

Clemson got all it could handle from Alabama's rival on the road. Running back Wayne Gallman had a big day with 30 carries for 123 yards and one score, while wideout Mike Williams made his season debut with nine catches for 174 yards.

Bama had an impressive defensive showing against a strong Hilltoppers offense, holding them to only 10 points. Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts was 23-for-36 for 287 yards and two touchdowns, while star wideout Calvin Ridley had nine receptions for 129 yards and one score.

Clemson's matchup vs. Troy was much closer than anticipated, but the Tigers emerged victorious with 17 points in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was busy, completing 27-of-53 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Avenging losses the previous two seasons, Alabama finally got over the hump by defeating Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide trailed 24-17 at halftime but rode its terrific running game with 334 yards and three scores on the ground for the day to win.

Clemson had its first easy Saturday of the season, cruising to a 59-0 victory in which it led 45-0 at halftime. The Tigers threw five touchdown passes, and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud had five catches for 60 yards and two scores.

Clemson had no issues defending Georgia Tech's triple-option offense, and Deshaun Watson had a terrific passing day. He was 32-for-48 for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Ray-Ray McCloud had his second consecutive outstanding game with eight receptions for 101 yards.

The Crimson Tide defense rebounded from a subpar performance vs. Ole Miss to allow only 166 total yards against Kent State. Joshua Jacobs starred offensively with 11 rushes for 97 yards and two scores.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Alabama offense bullied the Wildcats. The freshman quarterback threw for 262 yards and two scores, while running back Joshua Jacobs had another great game with 16 carries for 100 yards and one score. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley had 11 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

Perhaps the game of the year to that point, Clemson survived a spectacular day from eventual Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Jackson killed the Tigers on the ground with 162 rushing yards and two scores, but Deshaun Watson was able to work some magic of his own with 306 passing yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Deon Cain had four receptions for 98 yards and two scores.

Clemson made quick work of a Boston College defense that ranked among the elite one year earlier, scoring 21 points in the first quarter. Deshaun Watson had another terrific day, passing 15-for-25 for 270 yards and four touchdowns. Three different receivers scored touchdowns for the Tigers.

Bama scored two defensive touchdowns, handing the Razorbacks their second loss of the season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was efficient, going 13-for-17 for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while Damien Harris rushed 13 times for 122 yards.

The Crimson Tide visited Knoxville in a game that was circled in the offseason. Alabama clobbered the Vols in all three phases, adding a 58-yard interception return by Ronnie Harrison and a 79-yard punt return by Eddie Jackson to its five touchdowns on offense. Jalen Hurts was spectacular, throwing for 172 yards and one score, while also rushing 12 times for 132 yards and three scores.

Clemson survived a late push by N.C. State to win at home in overtime. Artavis Scott had a 10-yard game-winning reception. While the Tigers struggled to run the ball, Deshaun Watson was 39-for-52 with 378 yards and two touchdowns passes, also adding one rushing score.

Alabama handed the Aggies their first loss of the season with a huge rushing day. The Crimson Tide rushed 57 times for 287 yards, and star defensive end Jonathan Allen also had a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

The much-anticipated matchup between the Tigers and Seminoles came down to the wire, with Clemson scoring the game-winning touchdown with 2:06 left on the clock. Deshaun Watson had a big day in Tallahassee with 378 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Wayne Gallman rushed 20 times for 82 yards and two scores.

The LSU defense stood tall, holding the Crimson Tide scoreless for three quarters in Baton Rouge. Jalen Hurts finally broke through in the fourth quarterback with a touchdown run, finishing his day with 20 rushes for 114 yards. Alabama's defense held LSU to only 125 total yards.

Clemson had absolutely no trouble with the Orange. Deshaun Watson had two passing touchdowns, and Nick Schuessler came on in relief to throw two more touchdowns. Deon Cain was the top receiver on the day with five catches for 125 yards and two scores.

Alabama decided its matchup vs. the Bulldogs quickly, leading 30-0 at halftime. Jalen Hurts found ArDarius Stewart early and often, as the wideout had eight receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns. Hurts finished his day throwing 28-for-37 for 347 yards and four scores, adding 11 carries for 100 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

A much-improved Pitt offense shocked the Tigers, kicking three field goals in the fourth quarter to close an eight-point deficit. Panthers quarterback Nathan Peterman had his way with the Clemson defense with 308 passing yards and five touchdowns. Deshaun Watson was spectacular in defeat, completing 52-of-70 passes for 580 yards and three touchdowns, while Wayne Gallman had three rushing touchdowns.

Chattanooga was overmatched by the Crimson Tide despite leading 3-0 after the first quarter. Jalen Hurts threw for 136 yards and three touchdowns, and the Crimson Tide had 196 rushing yards.

The Tigers rebounded from a bad loss to Pitt, easily winning at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons had no answer for the Clemson running game, as the Tigers rushed 42 times for 254 yards and four scores. Lead back Wayne Gallman had 161 rushing yards and two scores.

Alabama took care of Auburn in the Iron Bowl, getting huge contributions from running back Bo Scarbrough and wideout ArDarius Stewart. Scarbrough had 17 carries for 90 yards, and Stewart had 10 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown.

Deshaun Watson had another huge day, as the Tigers beat the rival Gamecocks easily. Watson completed 27-of-33 passes for 347 yards and six touchdowns. Mike Williams had exactly 100 receiving yards and scored three times.

The Crimson Tide followed up its undefeated regular season with an easy victory in the SEC Championship Game. Florida struck first with a touchdown in the first quarter before Alabama got going. The Crimson Tide had a pick-six and blocked punt for a touchdown in the first quarter. Running back Bo Scarbrough had a great game, rushing 11 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Watson accounted for most of the Clemson offense in the ACC Championship Game, throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 85 rushing yard and two scores on the ground. Jordan Leggett had two receiving touchdowns.

Alabama improved to 14-0 with another dominant performance by the defense. The Tide forced three turnovers and had one pick-six. Bo Scarbrough continued his terrific streak on the ground, rushing 19 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers dominated Ohio State in the College Football Playoff in Glendale, Ariz. The defense shut out the Buckeyes, while Deshaun Watson threw one touchdown pass and ran for two more scores. Wayne Gallman also rushed 18 times for 85 yards and one touchdown.