Dominate the Super Bowl

Saban certainly wasn't crazy.

More accurately, Saban was clear about what he was doing, and it was the result of careful calculation and mature deliberation—

Overtime games were disadvantageous for the Crimson Tide Storm.

Everyone knew that football's golden-goal sudden death was extremely harsh and unreasonable, prompting many controversies, and was officially abolished in 2004; in fact, the overtime rule in football was even more ruthless.

In a football game, if both sides end the regular game in a tie, then they enter overtime, which consists of two fifteen-minute halves.

In overtime, if one team reaches the end zone first, then they win the game outright, just like in football's sudden-death system; if one team kicks a field goal first, then the other team still has a chance to win on offense, and here lie three possibilities:

First, if they reach the end zone, then they win immediately, sudden death style.

Second, if they kick a field goal, then the game is tied, and the opposing offensive group takes the field again, starting the cycle anew.

Third, if they fail to score, then they lose the game outright.

From this, one can see that the team that attacks first in overtime has a huge advantage, as they firmly grasp the initiative, but the choice for the right to attack in overtime is reliant on... a coin toss.

In other words, once you enter overtime, luck plays a key role.

For coaches, overtime often means that the situation is out of control.

The above describes the NFL overtime rules, while NCAA's overtime rules are slightly different, closer to football's penalty shootout.

Both offensive groups take turns attacking in the opponent's red zone, and both sides have the opportunity to take the field; if one round decides the winner, then that decides the game, like if one side reaches the end zone and the other only kicks a field goal, then the team that reached the end zone wins; but if both sides score the same, then the round continues.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Beginning from the third round, field goals don't count, it's either reaching the end zone or not scoring at all, so this set of rules also avoids a final result of a tie.

In the 2018 season, on the last week of the regular season, Louisiana State University and Texas A&M University played a historic endurance battle, with both sides waging seven overtimes, and ultimately Texas A&M won "74:72" on their home field against Louisiana State.

It was breathtaking!

Incredible!

Even though in the NCAA's overtime rules, the element of luck is somewhat less; the physical toll is more intense, and there is less margin for error for the offensive group.

And now, the Crimson Tide Storm indeed couldn't afford such an expenditure of energy.

Saban knew that if they entered overtime, the Crimson Tide Storm might get caught in a vicious cycle; and giving Watson another opportunity to take the field could tilt the scale of victory slightly towards the Clemson Tigers.

Overtime was a gamble. Going for the two-point conversion was also a gamble; but to Saban, the two-point conversion allowed him to take control and keep Watson sitting quietly on the bench—

More precisely, standing on the sidelines as a spectator.

The calculations of pros and cons this time were not difficult for Saban.

Success or failure hinged on this very move.

Therefore,

Saban displayed his leadership and decisively signaled the referee for a two-point conversion.

The entire stadium was in an uproar.

So, what comes next?

"Stay, stay!"

Saban repeatedly gestured to Clark, who was preparing to leave the field.

Clark turned back, slightly confused, and rejoined his teammates.

Now, with Clark on the field, along with Li Wei and Hertz, plus Tight End Howard, the Crimson Tide Storm suddenly had four heavy-duty weapons in the short-pass area, each capable of a head-on breakthrough, plunging the Clemson Tigers defense into a dilemma—

Li Wei? Hertz? Clark? Or Howard?

Or should they opt for a pass instead?

The eyes of the Clemson Tigers defense team quickly shifted among the Crimson Tide Storm players, and the first figure to emerge in their minds was:

Li Wei.

In this game, Li Wei rushed for 221 yards and scored two touchdowns, breaking Derrick Henry's season rushing yards record and tying the touchdown count. Undoubtedly, he was the strongest point of the Crimson Tide Storm.

But Li Wei was exhausted. His speed, strength, and tackling power had all significantly decreased. After all, this was his first football season, and the intensity and force of the competition had severely tested him; moreover, breaking Derrick Henry's record, he should be running on fumes by now.

Would Saban really entrust such an important attack to the depleted rookie, Li Wei?

So, would it be Clark, the dark horse who had just written another miracle in succession? Or Hertz, the quarterback rising to the occasion to play the savior at the crucial moment?

Thoughts, a multitude.

Sweeney's palms were somewhat warm, and in the blink of an eye, they were soaked with sweat. He hadn't anticipated Clark carrying the ball to the touchdown, nor had he predicted that Saban would opt for a two-point conversion. Could Saban be insane enough to choose a passing attack?

Damn it!

"Whistle!"

Sweeney called a time-out.

A rare scene unfolded. Instead of time chasing the Crimson Tide Storm, it was the Clemson Tigers who now felt the pressure.

Sweeney knew this would reveal his nervousness, but he could no longer care. They had to use the time-out to rearrange their defensive strategy.

After all, if not now, there would be no need later.

On the field, whether it was Clark or Hertz, they tried their best to control themselves but could not suppress the slight trembling of their fingertips. The pressure of uncertainty regarding victory or defeat overwhelmed them at this moment, causing their knees to weaken.

But not Li Wei.

Li Wei's face was composed, his gaze firm. He knew they could win.

Not believe, but know, as if he had already foreseen the outcome sixty seconds later. All his spirit and will were focused on this moment.

The time-out ended, and it seemed like only a couple of breaths before it was over.

The players of the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm and the Clemson Tigers lined up again, a tight formation at the two-yard line in front of the end zone. The stadium roared with intense winds, and the heat wave poured down like a torrential rain. Miraculously, however, the air seemed to freeze.

The Crimson Tide Storm's formation remained unchanged—

Hertz stood behind the center, Clark stood behind Hertz, and Li Wei stood behind Clark. Their figures overlapped to the extent that the defensive group couldn't see Li Wei at all, and naturally, they couldn't anticipate ahead of time.

Tension, pressure, excitement.

Not just the Crimson Tide Storm, but the Clemson Tigers were also stretched to their limit. The air was thick with gunpowder, and a tiny spark could ignite the entire stadium.

Perhaps, Li Wei was the sole exception.

Without a single thought, his mind as tranquil as still water, he calmly eyed the defensive formation before him, and then, the sound of the wind carried Hertz's slightly trembling voice.

"Attack!"

The outcome of the game hung by a thread.

A figure moved, Clark to the right.

Another figure moved, Hertz to the left.

Li Wei, however, stepped straight ahead. None of them sped up their steps; they adjusted with small, quick steps, and could see the Clemson Tigers defense team ignoring everything to press forward fully.

An ambush?

No, at least not quite. But undisputedly intense pressure.

The Clemson Tigers decided to take the initiative. Their defensive line released a powerful energy, crowding the space around the kickoff line like dark clouds descending upon a village.

Right then, the football began to move—

The handoff.

Hertz gave the football to Li Wei.