2018 NCG · Clemson 44, Alabama 16

Clemson 44, Alabama 16 in Santa Clara. Lawrence threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns; the Tigers led 31-16 at halftime against an Alabama team that had been the year's clear best by every model. The 28-point margin was the largest in a national-title game since the Nebraska-Florida 1996 rout, and the only modern title-game rout of a Saban-era Alabama team. Swinney's second title in three years; the closing image of the Watson-Lawrence-Etienne Clemson run; the moment the Alabama-Clemson rivalry's score read 2-2 in the four Playoff meetings. Every Lawrence-as-NFL-prospect argument that followed cited this game first.