Maybe Clemson should have thought to do something more basic to enhance their chances of winning, like cover the TE.
It was the onside kick that sealed their doom.
Yes and no. First, if you re-watch, I believe it wasn't til near the end of the 3rd quarter that we put Devall (or Foster) spying Watson, and it worked great. I think Saban was stubborn about his front 4 being able to contain him in the pocket. If we'd done that all game, we don't need that onside kick.
Second, there are tons of times that if Dom Jackson had sustained a block on a p/a pass or Coker had thrown it away to protect a drive, maybe we would've had 7-14 more points by then.
All that said, as I reread your statement, it is probably true that given the circumstances that kick, and the ensuing score, sealed our victory.
