Curator Sam Burnham

​And just like that...we’re at the end of the season. After a ridiculous layoff we’re finally at the National Championship Game.

And what a game this one promises to be. Clemson is back to defend their title from last year. LSU is here to try to knock them off. Look at what they have in common: both mascots are tigers, both teams affectionately refer to their stadium as “Death Valley,” both have quarterbacks that can hurt you with their arms or their legs, both have fantastic running backs.

LSU has absolutely plowed through their schedule. They haven’t even hit a speed bump. Alabama fans think they came close. I saw the game. They didn’t. LSU has also been through Georgia, Florida, Auburn, A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, you name it. They completely shut down Jalen Hurts and the Sooners’ high powered offense. They’ve won with offense, they’ve won with defense. Nothing anyone has tried has worked.

Joe Burrow is that once in a lifetime experience. He’s not only the best player in the country, his effort and leadership bring out the best in everyone around him.

I don't want to sell Clemson short. Trevor Lawrence does amazing things on the football field. Just the Fiesta Bowl gave many examples. Buckeye fans are still wringing their hands about an incomplete pass but completely ignore giving up a 67 yard TD run by Lawrence. They followed that up by unsuccessfully chasing Travis Etienne for 53 yards. Clemson spotted the Buckeyes 4 scores: 16 points in the first 23 minutes of play. They only gave up one score the rest of the night. They used big plays to shift momentum and then used big defense to keep it.

My assessment is this: if anyone was going to beat LSU, it would be Clemson. If any coach was going to formulate a plan to stop that juggernaut, it would be Dabo Swinney. If any field general was going to get past that defense, it would be Trevor Lawrence.

I just dont think its going to happen. LSU is just too good, they have too many weapons, too much momentum, they play too well together, they’re too well coached. They’re not going to lose. LSU Tigers pull this one out.