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The big showdown in college football is set and it will be a rematch of last year’s epic national championship: the Clemson Tigers versus the Alabama Crimson Tide for all the marbles. The two southern titans will clash at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on January 9, 8:30 PM EST. It’s on. How They Get Here: Alabama It’s same song, different verse for Nick Saban’s Alabama football machine. The program has been likened to, at various times, a boa constrictor or “The Death Star.” The formula  is simple in concept and precise in execution: get the biggest, fastest, nastiest athletes in the country, teach them sound defensive technique and rotate them throughout the front seven (defensive line and linebackers) to keep them fresh. Add in a veritable army of video analysts as well as the brilliant defensive mind of Saban to make and necessary adjustments and you have the ingredients for a dominant defense, particularly in the ground game. Team simply do not run the ball on Alabama. Period. Of course, passing the ball against Alabama is difficult as well, as QB Jake Browning and the Washington Huskies learned in the Peach Bowl. Alabama throttled the Pac-12 conference champs - after one early passing touchdown, Washington never threatened again. It’s an outcome that has become familiar to college football fans. On offense, the Tide are known for running behind big power backs that can wear down a defense. Bo Scarborough is this year’s edition of the Bama Power Back and he lives up to his predecessors. The passing game is more of a question mark, with precocious true freshman QB Jalen Hurts still learning the nuances of the position at the college level. Nevertheless, Hurts can still be a threat with his legs. Clemson Clemson did a bit of living dangerously there, with a bevy of close games nearly knocking them out of the title picture. In addition to losing at home to Pitt, the Tigers also flirted with disaster in close games against Louisville and NC State. Still, in the biggest test of the season, Clemson was absolutely dominant against the Ohio State, shutting out the Buckeyes 31-0. Whatever the stumbles along the way, Clemson is in the position it wanted all along: a shot at Alabama in the championship game, with a dream of revenge for last year’s heartbreaking loss. As always, the Tigers are led by their quarterback nonpareil, Deshaun Watson. While Watson has thrown his share of interceptions this year, he has come up big in the most important moments. Dangerous with both his arm and his legs, Watson will do whatever it takes for his team to win. And don’t count out the Clemson defense either. While that unit may not impress in the same manner as Alabama’s vaunted defense, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is known for using creative schemes and blitzes to get to the quarterback. Will he be able to rattle Alabama’s freshman QB Tonight will tell. The Inspector Pumphead Prediction After inspecting various advanced statistics, game film and football history, here’s how I see it playing out. The game will remain relatively close in the first half, but a key DeShaun Watson interception will shift the momentum. Alabama's defense will slowly squeeze the life out of Clemson before pulling away. Alabama 30,  Clemson 17. What do you think Let us know in the comments.  

Ah football on Thanksgiving: it goes together like turkey and gravy. From millions of Americans watching the Cowboys to the famous Kennedy family touch football games at Hyannis Port, there is probably no stronger association between a sport and a holiday in American culture. Some of us like to actually toss the old pigskin around with friends and family, while others just like to stuff our face, sit on the couch and watch the pros on TV (I lean more towards the latter). Whatever your preference, football is a big part of the day. You may be interested to know that the tradition goes back over a hundred years. The History of Football on Thanksgiving The first major Thanksgiving football game was played by Princeton and Yale in 1876. As hard as it may be to picture now, the Ivy League schools were once the dominant powers in college football and games between the prestigious schools drew large crowds. Thanksgiving was chosen because it was a day where many people would not have work or church. Other colleges and even high schools began to follow the lead of the Ivy schools. It wasn’t long before going to a football game to cheer on your school became a Thanksgiving tradition on par with eating turkey, in towns and regions across the states. Professional football did not become a nationally popular pastime until well in the 1950s, but Thanksgiving games had been established before then. The Detroit Lions first played on Thanksgiving in 1934, while the Cowboys didn’t suit up on the holiday until 1966. For a long time, the Lions and the Cowboys were the only teams to host Thanksgiving games, but in 2006, the NFL added a third game to give more teams the chance to play before the nation. Colleges largely play on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but Thursday still has pride of place for high schools. Many traditional rivalries going back decades are played on Thanksgiving morning; the athletes put everything on the line for their town, their team and their school before going home to a delicious meal. What to Watch All TV times in Eastern Standard. NFL Minnesota Vikings (6-4) @ Detroit Lions (6-4), 12:30 PM on CBS: After a hot start, the Vikings lost four straight before recovering this past Sunday against the Cardinals. Can they keep the rejuvenation going against Matt Stafford and the Lions Washington Redskins (6-3-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-1), 4:30 PM on FOX: The Cowboys are arguably the best team in the league behind a dominant offensive line. This traditional rivalry has produced some of the most memorable Thanksgiving games in NFL history, so be sure to watch. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (5-5), 8:30 PM on NBC: Two explosive offenses will go head-to-head in the night matchup. College LSU (6-4) @ Texas A&M (8-3), 7:30 PM on ESPN: Both teams are reeling from recent losses but there will still be plenty of future pro talent on display in this in new era SEC rivalry clash. High School High school games will take place in many communities across the country. Be sure to consult your local news sources to find a list of games in your area.