Alabama Wins AP National Championship

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Alabama won its 10th Associated Press national championship with a 45-40 victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T on Monday night.

The Crimson Tide have now won four national titles in the past seven years, all under coach Nick Saban. His other titles at Alabama came in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

In the 50th game between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams, Alabama (14-1) outscored Clemson 24-16 in a frantic fourth quarter to win. It earned all 61 first-place votes from the AP panel.

The Tide became the fourth team to win the national title after trailing entering the fourth quarter of the championship game, joining Florida State (1999, 2013) and Texas (2005).

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Crimson Tide have won 11 overall national championships in the poll era (since 1936), which is the most of any team.

The Tigers (14-1) were ranked No. 1 coming into the game and finished second after their first loss of the season. Clemson won its only national title in 1981.

Stanford, 45-16 winners over Iowa in the Rose Bowl, finished third in the final poll, followed by Ohio State, Oklahoma and Michigan State.