Get ready for the biggest night in college football.
The University of Alabama takes on Clemson University in college football’s national championship game. It's set for 7:30 p.m. Monday at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Having lived in Northwest Florida a good part of my life, and Okaloosa County for the past 15 years, I can say with some certainty that the Crimson Tide will be a heavy local favorite.
That’s not to say Clemson's Tigers don’t have their share of fans.
One of the area's biggest Tiger fans is Crestview High School’s Matt Sanders. The 2008 CHS graduate is an assistant football and girls basketball coach, as well as the head flag football coach.
He also was an offensive lineman at Clemson and played for Tiger coach Dabo Swinney.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Sanders decked out in orange and purple as the Tigers go for their first football national title since 1981.
Fortunately for Sanders, the Lady Bulldogs have the night off, so he’ll be able to watch the big game.
Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett didn’t play at Crestview. He did play at Jack Foster Stadium against Crestview for then-district opponent Navarre.
Some so-called experts say Leggett could be the game's x factor.
Alabama defensive lineman D.J. Pettway, who played high school ball at Pensacola Catholic, is another semi-local connection to the title game.
A quick glance at the North Okaloosa schedules indicates none of the local high school teams have a game scheduled Monday night.
It’s a good thing, too, as only family members and the most die-hard of fans attend a high school game when the national championship game is being played.
If I had my way, championship game day would be a national holiday. Of course, some businesses — such as pizza joints and sports bars/restaurants — would need stay open so patrons could gather and cheer on their favorite team.
I usually watch the game from the comfort of my best recliner, but sometimes I get together with friends.
This year, I have no team in the fray, but I will probably pull for Alabama because of the Southeastern Conference ties.
I’d be interested in knowing whom you are pulling for, why, and where you’ll be watching the game.
If you don’t follow me on Twitter, follow me @cnb_sports and I’ll follow you back. I’ll retweet at times throughout the game.
Let the hype begin, and may the best team win
Sports Editor Randy Dickson will live tweet throughout the University of Alabama-Clemson University game.
Follow him at @cnb_sports and he will follow you back.
Tweeting live
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DICKSON: College football's biggest night