The Alabama Crimson Tide won the national title in dramatic fashion with a 26-23 overtime win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Monday night. A gutsy quarterback change was at the heart of their victory. It was a classic game filled with talent and drama on both sides, and Alabama staged a memorable second half comeback to take home the hardware.

Here’s a look at five reasons why the Crimson Tide were able to come back and win the championship.

1. Tua Tagovailoa changed the game

The decision to pull Jalen Hurts at halftime was either going to be looked at as a panic move or a stroke of genius depending on the outcome of the game. Ultimately, Nick Saban felt that freshman Tua Tagovailoa would offer more of a downfield threat than Hurts had, and he was right. Tagovailoa wasn’t perfect and he had some accuracy issues, but he had enough raw talent to turn the game around. He was an immediate downfield threat to the Georgia defense, something Hurts was not. That opened up the run game, and Alabama’s offense only got moving once Tagovailoa started taking risks. His fourth down touchdown conversion was indicative of his ability and coolness under pressure, and he had the poise and touch of a senior on the dramatic 41-yard touchdown pass that won the game. Saban’s gamble was rewarded, as Alabama doesn’t win if they don’t make that change.

2. A freshman running back brought a spark

Bo Scarbrough and the Alabama running game had offered little early on, which led to the Crimson Tide turning to freshman Najee Harris for a spark in the second half. It worked. Harris pulled off two very good runs to get them going and was a big factor when he got the opportunity. He only got six carries, but he went for 64 yards on them, opening the door for Scarbrough to get into the swing of things and giving the Georgia defense something to think about.

3. Nick Saban is still the best in the business

So much went wrong for Alabama in this one. Their offense was invisible during the first half. They made some uncharacteristic errors and lost their cool on more than one occasion. They were down 13-0 at halftime with few signs of life. It’s a credit to Saban and his coaching staff that they were able to come back. It took serious guts to bench Hurts in favor of Tagovailoa at halftime, and the team’s shoulders easily could have sagged after Andy Pappanastos shanked a field goal attempt that would have won the game in regulation. They didn’t, and that’s in large part thanks to Saban and his coaches. Read More Here

Kirby Smart knew ‘no question’ Alabama would switch QBs at halftime

Nick Saban caught many off guard when he made a quarterback switch at halftime of the national championship game, but Georgia was not fooled. In fact, Kirby Smart said after his team’s 26-23 overtime loss on Monday night that he knew there was “no question” the Crimson Tide would make a change at quarterback.

“We talked long about it. We talked about how the ways we would play him. We told everybody at halftime there was no question that they were going to him,” Smart said. “Because they were struggling; they needed some momentum. He provided them some juice and got them some momentum.

“He’s a good player. He’s got confidence in his arm. A really talented freshman. He’s got poise in the pocket. He made the plays when he had to.” Read More Here

He smiled and looked over at his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.

"Trust me, bro," Smith told him.

Tagovailoa, the true freshman who replaced starter Jalen Hurts coming out of halftime, didn't say a word back. The lefty from Hawaii simply nodded his head, the picture of calm under pressure.

Seconds later, Smith and Tagovailoa connected on a touchdown that now belongs to history -- a 41-yard strike that delivered Alabama its fifth national championship under coach Nick Saban.

"Hole shot," Smith explained, referring to his splitting the coverage to get open.

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On the sideline, Hurts saw it all unfold as if in slow motion.

Hurts had been benched, but the sophomore was still engaged, dissecting the coverage on his own. It was instinctual, he explained. He diagnosed a two-high safety shell and thought his backup wouldn't dare try it.

But Tagovailoa did and, moments later, Hurts was holding him in his arms. No one was happier for the freshman than Hurts. Read More Here

Tua Tagovailoa builds off what Marcus Mariota started

SportsPulse: Get used to pronouncing Tua Tagovailoa. USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay Schnell details the meteoric rise of the Hawaiian national title game sensation. USA TODAY Sports

(Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)

ATLANTA — When he watched Marcus Mariota accept the Heisman Trophy three years ago, Tua Tagovailoa imagined that maybe, he could be next. Not the next Polynesian player to win college football’s most prestigious award, but the next to shine a spotlight on Hawaii and the surrounding islands. 

Mariota gave an emotional speech that night, mixing in thanks for his family, teammates and coaches with a call to action to those back in his home state: “To the Polynesian community, I hope and pray that this is only the beginning,” Mariota said. “Young Poly athletes everywhere, you should take this as motivation, and dream big and strive for greatness."

Clearly, Tagovailoa was paying attention. 

Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, “the next Marcus Mariota” did what the first Mariota could not, leading his team to a national title in the most unthinkable of circumstances. Down 13-0 at halftime, Nick Saban gambled and inserted the freshman signal caller who had played only in mop-up duty this year. Tagovailoa proceeded to throw two touchdown passes, an interception and then a 41-yard game winner as the Crimson Tide erupted on the sideline and celebrated yet another championship. Read More Here