We knew coming into this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship Game that points would be hard to come by. That theme rang true as the defenses played to their championship potential.<\/p>\n
In the end, Alabama<\/strong> made just enough plays to win their fifth national championship in the last nine seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n It can be very cliche in big games that time of possession and third down conversions can make or break the game, but that was the case in the first half. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first half and dominated the football game. Georgia had 16 first downs to Alabama’s 4 which led to nearly a double time of possession advantage for the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n After a couple of Rodrigo Blankenship<\/a><\/strong> field goals, Georgia broke the game open with a two-minute drive capped by a Mecole Hardman<\/a><\/strong> one-yard touchdown run to complete the double-digit\u00a0first-half lead.<\/p>\n Flirting with the fine line between desperate and bold Nick Saban<\/strong> made a big change to begin the second half. True Freshman Tua Tagovailoa<\/a><\/strong> was inserted into the starting lineup replacing Jalen Hurts<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n However, the move appeared to pay off as Alabama<\/strong> scored on the second series of the second half. It was true freshman to true freshman as Tagovailoa hit Henry Ruggs III<\/a><\/strong> for a six-yard touchdown score to bring the score to 13-7. The key play that sparked that drive was a nine-yard run by Tagovailoa on 3rd and 7 to extend the drive.<\/p>\n Georgia responded as you would expect a champion to answer a big score. On the ensuing possession, Fromm hit Hardman for an 80-yard bomb as the Bulldogs took back the lead. After a brief review, the play would stand. Georgia reclaimed their 13-point lead at 20-7.<\/p>\n As good as the true freshman can be, they can also be a nightmare for coaches. In back to back plays,\u00a0Tagovailoa and Fromm both made typical\u00a0freshman mistakes. They traded interceptions and would ultimately give the Crimson Tide some life. Alabama was able to take advantage. After driving to the Bulldog 25,\u00a0Andy Pappanastos<\/a><\/strong> drilled a 43-yard field goal to draw Alabama within 10 points.<\/p>\n