Thursday Update

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The run-up to these massive games is filled with questions, and you probably remember the predominant question the past two years when these two teams met:

Can Clemson do it?

Now here we are, four days from the third rendition of this irresistible postseason clash, and the question is:

Can Alabama do it?

What a remarkable turnabout -- even more remarkable given this was supposed to be the Tigers' rebuilding year after losing all those fundamental pieces from the the team that knocked off the Tide in Tampa.

But this perception, at least until Monday night when the ball is finally kicked off in the Sugar Bowl, is largely grounded in reality.