Lane Kiffin Predicts a Different Outcome If He Was OC vs Clemson

Alabama Crimson Tide fans don't want to relive January 9, 2017 when they were just seconds away from another national championship. But former offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin wants fans to know that the game would have been a lot different if he stayed with the Tide.

On Thursday, the new Florida Atlantic head coach told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he believes the Crimson Tide's offense would have overcame the Clemson Tigers comeback and would be going into this season as defending champions.

"It's no disrespect to Steve," Kiffin told the Washington Post. "No matter who it was, you've been there all year long. You've been there for the quarterback. You're all he knew. You were undefeated together. We've won 26 straight games together. You feel, okay, it's different. As great as Sark is, it's just different. Again, if it had been 14 points either way, when it's one play here or there, you think if those guys had the person they were used to, it would have made a difference."

According to the article, Kiffin watched the Alabama-Clemson game and coached from a room at the Boca Raton Resort and Club.

"It got really rough when you watched the game," Kiffin said. "At first, the idea of, 'Okay, do your job. Focus on this one.' But really when you watched it and because they lost and it was so close. If they lose by a lot, you don't feel like 'Okay, would there have been a difference?' You lose by one play, one second, it's natural to think, 'Okay, you could have made a difference.' If they won, it wouldn't have mattered. I would have just been happy for them. That was the hardest part, how it ended."

The Crimson Tide would go on to lose to Clemson 35-31 after a late game-winning touchdown throw from Deshaun Watson to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. Jalen Hurts finished the game completing 13 for 31 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.

As far as Kiffin as a head coach, let's see if his offensive mind will lead to more wins for Florida Atlantic, who finished last season 3-9, 2-6 in Conference USA.

If Kiffin was the answer for the Crimson Tide's success on offense the last few seasons, we shall see if new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is the solution for the Crimson Tide moving forward.