How did the Tigers do it? With an indefatigable quarterback and the most thrilling of game-winning touchdown passes; with a host of slinky, stretchy wide receivers and an unbending will; with a goal-line leap from a bull of a running back; and with Swinney in the middle of it all, screaming and shouting and cajoling and inspiring. Over the past six seasons, only one program had won more games than Clemson, and it was Alabama, which also defeated Clemson in last year’s national championship game. Given a reprieve, Swinney and his players were determined to seize their second chance at glory.

They did, and in a finish that was frenzied and frenetic. Trailing by 24-14 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Tigers cut the deficit to 3 with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Mike Williams. After both teams traded missed opportunities, Clemson finally took the lead for the first time in the game with just four minutes remaining when Williams made an acrobatic catch to extend a drive and running back Wayne Gallman dove into the end zone from a yard out.

Alabama, which had been moribund on offense for most of the second half, nearly stole the game away when it pulled off a lateral trick play complete with a wide receiver pass for a 24-yard gain and then scored on a 30-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Jalen Hurts with about two minutes remaining.

After last season’s meltdown, it would not have been surprising to see Clemson crumble. Instead, Watson went into the huddle as the Tigers began their final drive and delivered a message.