It was the game that basically changed everything. If you’re a fan of the sport, you remember exactly where you were on January 11, 2016, when Alabama and Clemson met at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. It wasn't just a game. It was a heavyweight fight between a dynasty that refused to die and an upstart program that was tired of being told it wasn't "elite" enough yet.
Nick Saban was already a legend. Dabo Swinney was the high-energy coach who had built Clemson into a powerhouse, but people still used the term "Clemsoning" to describe their tendency to choke in big moments. This 2016 CFP National Championship killed that narrative forever, even if the Tigers didn't actually walk away with the trophy that night.
The Night Deshaun Watson Became a Global Star
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how good Deshaun Watson was in this game. He threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns against an Alabama defense that was absolutely loaded with future NFL first-rounders. Names like A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, and Minkah Fitzpatrick were on that field, and Watson just shredded them. He looked like he was playing at a different speed.
Alabama’s defense usually suffocates people. They squeeze the life out of an offense until there’s nothing left. But Watson was a magician. He ran for 73 yards on top of his passing stats, finishing with 478 total yards. That's a record for a national title game. You’ve probably seen the highlights of him spinning out of sacks or hitting Hunter Renfrow in tight windows. Renfrow, by the way, was a former walk-on who ended up catching two touchdowns that night. It was the kind of performance that makes you realize some players just have a "clutch" gene that can't be coached.
But Bama had their own weapons. Derrick Henry, the Heisman winner, was a literal human tank. He carried the ball 36 times for 158 yards and three scores. He set the tone early with a 50-yard touchdown run where he just outran everyone. It was a weird game because Clemson actually outgained Alabama by over 100 yards, but big plays kept the Tide in it.
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The Onside Kick That Broke the Internet
We have to talk about the kick. This is the moment most people point to when they discuss why Saban is the greatest to ever do it. The game was tied 24-24 in the fourth quarter. Usually, Saban is conservative. He plays the field position game. But he saw something. He noticed the way Clemson was lining up on their kickoff return unit, leaving a massive gap on the side.
Adam Griffith popped a perfect high-arching onside kick. It wasn't a ground ball; it was a "pop-up" kick. Marlon Humphrey caught it in stride. It was perfectly executed and completely gutsy. If they miss that, Clemson gets the ball at midfield with all the momentum. Instead, Alabama got the ball back, and two plays later, Jake Coker hit O.J. Howard for a 51-yard touchdown.
O.J. Howard was the "ghost" of the 2016 CFP National Championship. He hadn't scored a touchdown all season. Not one. Then, on the biggest stage, he catches five passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson’s defense just lost him. It was a massive schematic failure on their part, and Lane Kiffin, who was Bama's offensive coordinator at the time, kept dialing up the same play because Clemson wouldn't adjust.
Why This Game Still Matters for Recruiting
If you look at the rosters from this game, it's basically an NFL Pro Bowl roster. You had guys like Kenyan Drake returning a 95-yard kickoff for a touchdown—another massive special teams play that swung the game. You had Calvin Ridley, Mackensie Alexander, and Shaq Lawson.
College football changed after this. It became an arms race. Coaches realized that even if you have the best defense in the country—which Alabama arguably did—a transcendent quarterback like Watson can still put up 40 points on you. It forced Saban to eventually evolve his entire offensive philosophy toward the high-powered passing attacks we see today.
Breaking Down the Fourth Quarter Madness
The final fifteen minutes were pure chaos. Forty points were scored in the fourth quarter alone.
- Alabama ties it up with a field goal.
- The onside kick happens.
- Howard scores to make it 31-24.
- Clemson kicks a field goal to cut it to 31-27.
- Kenyan Drake goes 95 yards on the kickoff return. 38-27.
- Watson leads a quick drive to make it 38-33.
- Howard scores again to make it 45-33.
- Watson scores with 12 seconds left to make it 45-40.
It was exhausting. Every time you thought Alabama had put them away, Watson would do something incredible. Even the final onside kick attempt by Clemson was tense, though Alabama recovered to seal the win. It was the Tide’s fourth title in seven years, cementing a level of dominance we might never see again.
What People Get Wrong About the 2016 Result
A lot of folks think Clemson "choked" this game. That’s just wrong. They played well enough to win against almost any other team in history. They just ran into a special teams buzzsaw. Alabama scored 21 points off a kick return, an onside kick, and a blown coverage.
You also have to look at the depth. Alabama’s second string was better than most teams' starters. That depth wore Clemson down by the end of the fourth quarter. However, this game set the stage for the rematch the following year, where Clemson finally got their revenge. You can't tell the story of the 2017 championship without the heartbreak of 2016. It was the fuel Dabo used for an entire year.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
To truly understand the legacy of the 2016 CFP National Championship, you need to look at how it shaped the current landscape of the sport.
- Study the Special Teams: This game is the premier case study for why special teams matter as much as offense or defense. If Alabama doesn't execute that onside kick, they likely lose. Coaches at every level still use this tape to teach situational awareness.
- Quarterback Mobility: This was the definitive proof that a mobile, elite-passing QB is the ultimate "equalizer" against a superior roster. It's why every top program now prioritizes dual-threat talent over traditional pocket passers.
- The Saban Evolution: Follow the timeline of Alabama’s offensive coordinators. After this game, the shift toward the "RPO" and spread concepts accelerated because they knew they couldn't just rely on "Bama Ball" (running it up the middle) to win track meets.
- Rewatch the Tape: If you can find the full game broadcast, watch the line of scrimmage. Specifically, watch how Alabama’s offensive line handled Clemson’s pass rush in the second half. It was a masterclass in adjustments.
The 2016 title game remains a high-water mark for the College Football Playoff era. It had the stars, the drama, the coaching gambles, and a final score that looked more like a basketball game than a defensive struggle. It reminded us that in college football, anything can happen—especially when Nick Saban decides to kick the ball where you aren't looking.
To dive deeper into the stats, check out the official NCAA history archives or look at the box scores to see just how many of these players are currently starting on Sundays in the NFL. You'll find that nearly 30 players from that game went on to be significant pro contributors. That is the true legacy of Glendale.