While much of the focus throughout this season has been on what Clemson's offense can do, it was the Tigers defense that smothered the Ohio State Buckeyes in a 31-0 win in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.  The victory sends Clemson to the College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama, which defeated Washington in the Peach Bowl, to determine a national champion.   Per USA Today's Paul Myerberg, this is the worst margin of defeat for a team with ...

The Clemson Tigers thoroughly dominated the Ohio State Buckeyes in a 31-0 demolishing in the Fiesta Bowl. The Ohio State offense could not get anything going, and the defense was good per usual, albeit in a loss. The Fiesta Bowl was the first bowl game Ohio State was shut out in since the 1920 Rose Bowl. Here are the grades for the disappointing end to the 2016 campaign:Begin Slideshow

ATLANTA — You don't have to like it. In fact, they probably prefer you don't. You don't have to like that your offense will, at some point, allow a touchdown to the Alabama Crimson Tide defense. Or that the team's backup running back, Bo Scarbrough—a 228-pound sculpted ball of rage—is capable of carrying your starting defenders great distances by his lonesome.  You don't have to like any of it. Not the unrelenting flow of talent that enters ...

Texas A&M standout defensive lineman Myles Garrett announced Saturday that he will forgo his senior season and declare for the 2017 NFL draft. Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle provided a statement from Garrett on his decision: After talking with my family and my coaches, I feel it is in my best interest to declare for the 2017 NFL draft.I would like to thank my teammates for always supporting me, encouraging me and holding me accountable. We are ...

Basketball teams cannot live on stars alone. You'll bloat up with hydrogen and burn yourself. No, instead you need a balanced diet.  Everyone understands this to be true. Unless your best players can log 40 minutes game after game, you're going to need some depth. You're going to need guys who can come off the bench and chip in a few buckets, a clutch rebound or some sticky defense. Some bench players even contribute more. In the case ...

Michigan tight end Jake Butt left the Wolverines' 33-32 Orange Bowl loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Friday early with a knee injury, and it was reported Saturday that he suffered a torn ACL. ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed the nature of Butt's injury based on information provided by a source close to the school. Butt is regarded as one of the top tight ends in the 2017 NFL draft class—along with Alabama's O.J. Howard—and was considered ...

Law enforcement officials were brought to the Georgia Dome on Saturday after a powdery substance thrown from the stands hit a staff worker in the face during Alabama's 24-7 victory over Washington in the Peach Bowl. Per ESPN's Brett McMurphy, members of the Atlanta Police Homeland Security Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and a bomb-sniffing dog were among those used to examine the substance close to Washington's bench.  "The item was tested for biological, chemical, radiological and ...

Alabama improved to 14-0 and will get a chance to play for a second consecutive national championship after beating Washington 24-7 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday. The Crimson Tide went down 7-0 in the first quarter but used a big outing by sophomore running back Bo Scarbrough. The SEC champions also got another defensive touchdown, their 11th of the season, to extend the lead just before halftime. Alabama's 17-point win was its smallest margin ...

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game for the second consecutive season Saturday, as they defeated the No. 4 Washington Huskies, 24-7, in the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Bama improved its undefeated record to 14-0 due largely to its dominant defense, which forced three turnovers and limited the potent Huskies offense to just 194 total yards. Sophomore running back Bo Scarbrough was the offensive star for the Tide, ...

Clemson 31, Ohio State 0—Final The No. 2 Clemson Tigers obliterated the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes 31-0 in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.  Deshaun Watson accounted for 316 yards and three touchdowns, and Clemson's defense excelled. The unit limited Ohio State to 208 total yards, recorded 11 tackles for loss and forced three turnovers. J.T. Barrett mustered just 3.8 yards per passing attempt, finishing 19-of-33 for ...