Alabama wears down Washington for 24-7 victory in Peach Bowl

Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball against Washington linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven (25) en route to a touchdown during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Skip Martin) Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough (9) runs the ball against Washington linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven (25) en route to a touchdown during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Skip Martin)

By Associated Press December 31, 2016 1 min read

ATLANTA (AP) – Alabama is heading back to the national championship game.

Bo Scarbrough and another stifling performance by Nick Saban’s defense made sure of that.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide scored 10 points off turnovers, including Ryan Anderson’s interception return for a touchdown late in the first half, and Scarbrough’s 68-yard TD run in the fourth quarter clinched a 24-7 victory over Washington in the Peach Bowl semifinal Saturday.

Scarbrough finished with 180 yards and two scores.

Alabama (14-0) moves on to Tampa for a shot at its second straight title and fifth in the last eight years under Saban. The Tide will face either Ohio State or Clemson – who were meeting later Saturday in the Fiesta Bowl – in the Jan. 9 championship game.