I picked the last 18 bowl games and had a "sterling" record of 5-12-1. That leaves the Blog at 74-80-2 for the season and no way of getting to the .500 mark for the season with just one game remaining.
Tonight's game features something most people in the country don't want -- two teams from the same conference playing for the College Football Playoff title. The SEC will claim its ninth national title in the last 12 years.
I still believe the College Football Playoff committee should put more value in winning conference championships or at least winning a conference division championship. The Tide didn't win anything prior to getting invited to the tournament. Alabama got to sit at home the first Saturday of December while everybody else was butting heads and battling for survival for another week. If the Tide wins, I hope debate to get to eight teams becomes a raging fire. In my humble opinion, the tournament needs to be the five conference champions, one from the Group of Five, and two at-large teams. The debate would be about the two at-large teams and seeding for the tournament. But at least a conference title would mean something.
Georgia pulled off a remarkable comeback in the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma to reach the title game in Atlanta. The Bulldogs, led by running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, ran all over Oklahoma. That will not be the case tonight at the Mercedes-Benz Dome against the Tide.
I saw Alabama's defense up close and personal last Monday night in New Orleans. It was an angry, physical unit on a mission. It is a defense built to stop the run. The Tide suffocated Clemson's offense. Nick Saban, seeking his fifth national title in nine years, is a perfect 11-0 against his ex-assistants. That streak has to end some time. It will not end tonight.
I admire Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts. Nobody gives the guy any credit. Even the Tide fans continue to lobby for the backup. But Hurts is tough and he is a winner.
The only place Alabama is lacking is at placekicker. For some reason, Saban has never been able to get a decent kicker to come to Tuscaloosa. But I don't think it is going to be close enough Monday night for a missed field goal to matter.
I expect the Tide to roll to a resounding victory.
Take the Crimson Tide and give the 3.5 points.
Pick -- Alabama
