He left everything on the field, but it was not enough.
His team represented the ingredients needed to beat Alabama, yet it went to no avail. In the end, Nick Saban outwitted Dabo Swinney and it left Deshaun Watson unfulfilled to open a new year. Screams, head scratching and the occasional drinking of tequila all found itself on the menu, during the 2016 College Football Playoff national title game between Alabama and Clemson.
Even for the fans that have “Too much Bama” in them, one cannot deny the sheer talent and effectiveness that Watson displayed roughly a year ago versus college football’s top defense. He surgically destroyed the Crimson Tide’s secondary for 405 passing yards and four touchdowns, while tiring out its defensive front with 73 yards rushing on 20 carries. The Tigers dominated Alabama in every offensive category; however, it was Poland’s native son (Adam Griffith) that executed not only a great kick—but one that took a title from Watson.
Not winning the Heisman Trophy and watching the Playoff get away both burn in Watson’s mind.
After encountering struggles earlier in the season, he’s emerged with some of his better performances down the stretch. Close victories over Louisville, North Carolina State, Florida State and Virginia Tech showed Watson’s confidence under pressure, but it was a heart-breaking loss to Pittsburgh (43-42) that refocused Swinney, Watson and the Clemson Tigers. A healthy wide receiver unit gives him a slight edge this time around, especially having Mike Williams back. Williams, who missed much of last season with a neck injury, has caught 90 passes from Watson for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns. The trio of Jordan Leggett, Deon Cain and Artavius Scott all have 600-plus yards receiving, while Cain leads it with nine touchdowns on 33 catches.
Clemson even returns Watson’s favorite target from last year’s game, sophomore Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow, a former walk-on, showcased exceptional route running against the Tide. He totaled 88 receiving yards on seven catches with two touchdowns, including one in which he beat defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the inside on a post route for an 11-yard score.
His numbers between 2015 and this season are similar, unless one focuses on how comfortable Watson has become as a passer. While some coaches and quarterback embrace the term “dual threat,” Watson can’t stand the sight of it. He dropped from being a 1,000-yard rusher last season to totaling 586 yards—yet and still, Watson turned in a second 4,000-yard passing campaign.
Following a 42-35 win over the Tide in the 2015 Sugar Bowl (2014 season), the consensus from media pundits was that Ohio State’s Urban Meyer is on the same tier with Saban. Watson and the Tigers did more than just defy the statement; it eradicated it. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, he was responsible for three scores, and handing Meyer his worst loss in five years at the Horseshoe. Now a year older and with better technique, Watson gets another shot to disrupt Alabama’s latest run of success on college football’s biggest stage.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
