You’d think a 44-16 win in the CFP National Championship Game would be enough to silence the doubters, but there are still plenty of people that question the Clemson Tigers. During ACC and SEC Media Days, there has been a little war of the words going on, and although neither team has directly challenged the other, you can tell there is some lingering animosity.
Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses on loss to Clemson: "It was more preparation. I wouldn't say they were a better team." https://t.co/YCHsTyTf5W
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) July 18, 2019
Alabama LB Dylan Moses fired the first verbal jabs. Moses stated that he didn’t think Clemson was a better team than Alabama, and he echoed Nick Saban’s comments that a lack of both preparation and focus on the part of both players and the coaching staff was the primary reason for the 28-point loss in the National Championship.
Alabama LB Dylan Moses: After the (UGA) game I felt like I had been in a brawl. My entire body was hurting. It took me a couple of days to get back healthy. pic.twitter.com/9hn23K1Rp1
— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) July 17, 2019
Moses stated that he believed Georgia was the best team that Alabama faced all season, leading to a little bit of chest thumping from Bulldogs fans and cries of SEC homerism from others.
LOTS of questions here at Media Day about the Alabama remarks about Clemson/Clemson not getting its credit. John Simpson says Notre Dame -not Bama- was the best team Clemson played.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) July 17, 2019
Not to be outdone, Clemson’s John Simpson responded in kind. The Tigers’ offensive lineman said that Notre Dame was the best team that Clemson played last year, leading to an uproar from both SEC and Alabama fans alike. Clemson did beat Alabama by 28 points and Notre Dame by 27 points, but not too many people were buying that statement.
Paul Finebaum is not a fan of Clemson OL John Simpson saying Notre Dame was better than Alabama last season.
'That is easily one of the stupidest comments I have ever heard…Clemson just doesn't know how to win yet.' https://t.co/c95TOwFxUm pic.twitter.com/CpB34r76Hf
— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 17, 2019
Chief SEC cheerleader Paul Finebaum was quick to jump on those statements, criticizing Simpson for the comments while in the same breath saying “I’m not in the business of criticizing college players.”
Trevor Lawrence calls Paul Finebaum unprofessional after responding to John Simpson’s comments https://t.co/6hCed3Ywaz
— CollegeFootballTalk (@CFTalk) July 18, 2019
That led to Heisman Trophy candidate and future 2021 No. 1 overall pick (probably) Trevor Lawrence getting involved. Lawrence is not very brash or outspoken, but Clemson’s quarterback was quick to back up his teammate.
It’s going to be fun to see where this goes throughout the 2019 season as almost every projection has both Alabama and Clemson back in the College Football Playoff.
H/T USA Today
