Monday’s National Championship game is a rematch of last seasons – featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide of the SEC and the Clemson Tigers of the ACC. Here’s what you need to know about Monday evening’s battle for a National Championship at Raymond James Stadium.

• This will be the first College Football Playoff National Championship played in Tampa since it was introduced in 2014. This is also the first time that Tampa has ever hosted a National Championship game.

  

• Clemson enters tonight’s game at 13-1, with a 7-1 record in the ACC. The Tigers were also victors of the ACC Championship game against Virginia Tech.
• Alabama enters at a perfect 14-0, including an 8-0 record in SEC play. They were victorious in the SEC Championship against Florida last month.
• Pittsburgh was the only team able to defeat Clemson, defeating them 43-42 in Clemson on Nov. 12.
• Clemson close wins came against Troy (30-24), #13 Louisville (42-36), NC State (24-17), #11 Florida State (37-34), and #22 Virginia Tech (42-35).
• The Crimson Tide’s only close victory came against Ole Miss (48-43) on Sept. 17. Alabama has been victorious over five teams in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
• Both teams are coming off of big victories in the College Football Playoff Semifinals – Alabama defeated Washington (24-7) while Clemson topped Ohio State (31-0) on New Year’s Eve.
• Alabama is favored to win by seven points on Monday.
• In the last time Clemson met Alabama, they played in the second annual CFB National Championship, as the Tide won 45-40 in Glendale, Ariz.
• The Crimson Tide hold an overall 13-3 advantage in the all-time series against Clemson, which dates back to 1900.
• Alabama’s 15 National Titles is the most in FBS history. With a win on Monday, the Tide can win fifth National Championship in eight years, all under Nick Saban.
• Clemson’s only National Championship came in 1981 when they defeated Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. They have three title game appearances overall.
• Monday’s game will be a homecoming for four Clemson plays from the Bay Area, WR Ray Ray McCloud III (Clemson), WR Artavis Scott (East Lake), WR Dion Cain (Tampa Bay Tech), and OT Jake Fruhmorgen (Plant).
• McCloud has comfortably made a transition to wide receiver from his natural running back spot – he’s caught 49 passes for 472 yards with two touchdowns in 2016.
• Cain has been more of a focal point on the offense with 630 yards off of 33 receptions and nine touchdown catches.
• Scott has also been big for the Tigers with 608 yards on 73 receptions and five touchdowns.
• Fruhmorgen has quickly made his way to the starting right tackle spot on the Clemson offensive line as a sophomore.
• Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough’s 180 rushing yards against Washington were the most he’s had all season. Coming in he has 719 yards on 109 carries with nine touchdowns.
• Clemson’s 31-0 win over Ohio State last week was the first time an Urban Meyer coached team has been shut out.
• Alabama’s offense is 31st in the FBS with 460.9 YPG. The Clemson offense ranks in at 12th with 503.1 YPG.
• Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is 352-for-523 with 4,173 yards, 38 TDs, and 17 INTs. He was selected to be a Heisman Finalist in 2016.
• Alabama QB Jaylen Hurts has thrown for 2,649 yards and 22 TDs. He’s rushed for 891 more with 12 TDs.
• It may turn into a defensive battle for the game, with the first and eighth-best defenses in the FBS taking the field. Alabama’s 244 YPG has been outstanding, while Clemson gives up an average of 306.9 YPG.
• Reuben Foster leads the Crimson Tide with 103 tackles, while the Tigers have three 100-plus tacklers in Ben Boulware, Kendall Joseph, and Van Smith.
• Minkah Fitzpatrick has six interceptions for the Tide while Jadar Johnson has five interceptions on the season for Clemson.