The legendary Alabama football moment that even Nick Saban had to smile about

On the the latest episode of “Beat Everyone,” we reach No. 2 on our countdown of the 15 best Alabama football games of the 21st century.

The pick: Alabama’s 45-40 win over Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoff Final, for the 2015 season.

This game really had it all. The two best teams in college football in an all-time battle full of twists, turns and legendary plays fans will never forget.

Newly crowned Heisman-winner Derrick Henry broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown to set the tone, as the Tigers seemingly had an answer for every Bama strike, behind quarterback Deshaun Watson’s dual-threat talent.

Jake Coker finding a wide-open OJ Howard for two 50-yard touchdowns during crucial parts of the game. The Kenyan Drake kickoff return for a touchdown, when a career riddled with injuries and patience as a backup running back exploded with emotion and a dog-pile from his teammates.

But arguably the most unexpected moment came early in the fourth quarter after an Alabama field goal, when Adam Griffith pooched a short kickoff as Marlon Humphrey snagged it to give the Tide another possession and all the momentum they needed to finish the job.

As Dabo Swinney melted down to the officials on the opposite sideline, ESPN cameras caught a rare, wry smile from Nick Saban who knew his team just pulled a fast one on the Tigers and ultimately clinch his fourth national title as the Crimson Tide head coach, his first of the CFP era.

Listen to Ben Flanagan and Matt Scalici re-live those and other moments from this instant classic on AL.com’s Alabama football podcast, “Beat Everyone.” Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.