<P> The Tigers won the game 35--31 on a go - ahead touchdown with one second left, having come back from a 14--0 deficit earlier in the game . Clemson quarterback and Heisman Finalist Deshaun Watson set the record for most passing yards in a championship game with 420, breaking his own record of 405 yards set in the 2016 national championship game . Deshaun Watson and Ben Boulware were named the Offensive and Defensive Most Valuable Players respectively . </P> <P> Competing bids were placed to host the championship game by Tampa, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, San Antonio, San Francisco, and South Florida . Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, was announced as the host site for the third College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship game on December 17, 2013 . It became the first CFP championship game to not be held at the site of one of the "New Year's Six" bowls . This championship game is part of the third annual CFP, constituted by four teams playing to decide the national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision . The four teams were originally selected by a 13 member - committee . </P> <P> The championship game was a rematch of the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship, where Alabama defeated Clemson, 45--40 . Overall, the championship game marked the 17th meeting between the two schools; however, prior to the previous championship game, the programs had only met once in the regular season since 1975 . </P> <P> Alabama was led by head coach Nick Saban . The Crimson Tide were undefeated in the regular season and played the Washington Huskies in the 2016 Peach Bowl, winning 24--7 . </P>

Who won the national championship in college football last year