The “Roll Tide” chants began before 10 minutes of football had even been played at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide had just scored their second touchdown against No. 4 Oklahoma in their College Football Playoff semifinal against No. 4 Oklahoma — a contested 10-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Henry Ruggs.
It looked like the beginning of a rout.
And while Oklahoma may not have gone down quietly, the game was essentially already decided..
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Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes, the Alabama defense contained Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray enough early to take a commanding lead and the Crimson Tide is once again heading to the national championship game after defeating Oklahoma 45-34 in the Orange Bowl. Alabama will face No. 2 Clemson, which throttled No. 3 Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl earlier in the day. It will be the third matchup in five years between Alabama and Clemson for the national championship.
“It was no surprise to me that they would come back in the game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “I kept telling our players on the sidelines, we have to keep playing, we have to keep grinding. We’ve got to play for 60 minutes. This team is very capable.”
The Crimson Tide did just that.
Alabama’s domination began from the very first play. Tagovailoa dropped back and fired a pass up the middle to receiver DeVonta Smith, who shook past an Oklahoma defender and went downfield for a 50-yard gain. Six plays — and an overturned fumble — later, Damien Harris punched in Alabama’s first touchdown of the night from 1 yard out.
Alabama (14-0) led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter (an Orange Bowl record for most points by one team in the opening period), added another touchdown before Oklahoma could even get on the board and had a 31-10 edge at halftime before Oklahoma made it interesting.
A 14-play, 66-yard drive to open the second half ended with a 26-yard field goal by Austin Seibert to cut the Sonners’ deficit to 31-13. An Alabama punt on the ensuing drive led to a six-play, 75-yard Oklahoma touchdown drive, with Murray hitting Charleston Rambo in stride in the end zone for the 49-yard score.
A 28-point lead had dwindled to 11.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Orange Bowl mascot Obie during the Orange Bowl trophy ceremony after their 45-34 win over the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama DeVonte Smith (6) stiff arms Oklahoma Tre Brown in the first quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) scores a touchdown against the defense of Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Parnell Motley (11) during fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hand off to running back Damien Harris (34) during fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Najee Harris (22) leaps over Oklahoma Patricks Fields (10) late in the second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive linemen Quinnen Williams (92) tackles Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) celebrate after teammate wide receiver Charleston Rambo (14) catches a touchdown pass during third quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tideat Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs during fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) scores a touchdown against the defense of Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Parnell Motley (11) during fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) runs against Oklahoma Sooners defensive linemen Kenneth Mann (55) during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama coach Nick Saban gets upset at the end of the second quarter as they play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws oranges to the fans during the Orange Bowl trophy ceremony after their 45-34 win over the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis interviews Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the Orange Bowl trophy ceremony after their 45-34 win over the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is throws confetti in the air after winning the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama defeated Oklahoma 45-34.Wilfredo LeeAP
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on during the Orange Bowl trophy ceremony after their 45-34 win over the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks on during the Orange Bowl trophy ceremony after their 45-34 win over the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban yells during fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris (22) jumps over Oklahoma Sooners safety Patrick Fields (10) during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners running back Trey Sermon (4) reverse pass to quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide punter/kicker Austin Seibert (43) kicks a field goal during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray runs for a fourth quarter touchdown as they play Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Hale Hentges (84) is congratulate by head coach Nick Saban during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Irv Smith Jr. (82) runs against Oklahoma Sooners safety Patrick Fields (10 during second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Trey Sermon (4) runs for a second quarter touchdown as they play Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Tre Brown (6) tackles Alabama Jerry Judy (4) in the second quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) hands the ball to running back Najee Harris (22), during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma , Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla.Wilfredo LeeAP
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) eyes a pass as Oklahoma cornerback Parnell Motley (11) attempts to defend, during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)Wilfredo LeeAP
Oklahoma Sooners take the field before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Hall of Famers Miami Dolphins Dan Marino and New York Jets Joe Namath before Alabama plays Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners alumni Brian Bosworth and Blake Griffin before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Christian Miller (47) sacks Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murphy (1) in the first quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide kickerJoseph Bulovas (97) kicks a field goal during first quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooner at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama running back Damien Harris (34) scores a first quarter touchdown in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass against Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Tre Brown (6) during first quarter of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Bama fan Zack Allen and Sooner fan Shaun Jagger cheer as Alabama and Oklahoma take the field in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley talks with Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa practice before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa practice before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners players huddle on before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Dillon Faamatau looks on before the start of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
Alabama fans Isaac Phillips and Maverick Pemalle pose with a female fan as Alabama prepares to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa relatives Greg and Mariah Pierce and Phyllis Pasi pose with the Orange Bowl mascot at the Fan Fest before Alabama plays Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
The Oklahoma band arrives as Alabama plays Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Saturday, December, 29, 2018.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
An Oklahoma fan with a OU haircut at Fan Fest before Alabama plays Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.CHARLES TRAINOR JRctrainor@miamiherald.com
A view of the Hard Rock Stadium before the start of College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game between the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
A view of the Orange Bowl logo on the field before the start of College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl game between the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Oklahoma Sooners at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 29 2018, in Miami Gardens.DAVID SANTIAGOdsantiago@miamiherald.com
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