For the fifth time in the seven-year era of the College Football Playoff, Alabama will compete for the national championship.
The undefeated Crimson Tide, the CFP’s No. 1 seed, made relatively easy work of No. 4 seed Notre Dame in the Arlington, Texas, edition of the Rose Bowl. Alabama stormed out to a quick 14-0 lead on its first two drives and never looked back in a 31-14 victory.
Like most Alabama victories this season, Friday night’s game featured a heavy dose of DeVonta Smith.
The Heisman Trophy favorite was the best player on the field, routinely torching Notre Dame defenders with his precise route-running and explosive burst after the catch.