The Alabama Crimson Tide are the college football national champions for the fifth time in nine years, and they did it with a thrilling win over Georgia in overtime on Monday night.
Bama trailed 13-0 at halftime as it struggled to move the ball and Georgia repeatedly converted on third down. But in the second half, Alabama coach Nick Saban made the gutsy decision to switch to a true freshman quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who had not seen meaningful action this season.
Tagovailoa sparked the Crimson Tide, leading them to four scores in the second half and a shot to win the championship at the end of regulation with the score tied 20-20. But a missed field goal by Alabama sent the game to overtime.
In OT, Georgia kicked a field goal and then sacked Tagovailoa for a massive loss on first down. But on the next play, Tagovailoa hit DeVonta Smith on a 41-yard touchdown, and Alabama is the national champion for the 15 or 17th time, depending on whether you believe Bama or the NCAA. It was also Saban's sixth championship — more than every other active FBS coach combined.
Below we tracked the biggest plays and top moments.
It was a rainy night in Atlanta. For the most part it was a good thing the game was indoors. But there was a report prior to the game of a leak coming from the roof directly above the field.
Source: Seth Emerson
Fans were forced to wait outside as one gate was locked down waiting for the arrival of President Donald Trump. When his motorcade finally arrived, the fans booed.
Read more: Trump was booed by fans waiting in the rain as he arrived at the national championship game
For the first time, the first-down markers had cameras embedded in them to give a better view on plays at the first-down line.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/950488171699195906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Innovation: ESPN will utilize the first-and-10 cam for the @CFBPlayoff National Championship game pic.twitter.com/cDoQFNF0dm
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