One step separates Alabama from a 15-0 record, consecutive national championships, consideration as college football's best team ever and further confirmation as the greatest dynasty in modern college football.
It will be a tough, treacherous step.
Coaches who have faced or studied Alabama and Clemson agree that Clemson will pose by far the biggest test Alabama has faced this season when the teams meet in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T (8 p.m. ET on Monday, ESPN/ESPN App). Those same coaches don't expect a repeat of last year's title game, which featured 85 points and several wild twists, but they expect another tightly contested contest that goes down to the final minutes.
Here's what coaches are saying about Alabama and Clemson before they step on the championship stage in Tampa, Florida.