No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Ohio State took care of business in their respective national semifinal matches and will play at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 11 for the College Football Playoff National Championship. It will be a rematch for the classic Sugar Bowl national semi-final match after the 2014 season – the first in a four-team playoff format.
The Crimson Tide is coming out of a complete dismantling 31-14 of No. 3. Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith and quarterback Mac Jones – both finalists for the Heisman Trophy – led an attack that reached 437 yards and 7.9 yards per game against a solid Irish Fighting defense. It will be Tide’s fifth participation in games for the national title in the last six years.
The Buckeyes will make their first appearance in the title game since beating Alabama in the semifinals and Oregon in the title game after the 2014 season. The emphatic 49-28 victory over No. 2 Clemson was led by quarterback Justin Fields and his Sugar Bowl record of six touchdowns.
No. 1 Alabama (12-0), Rose Bowl champion
The beauty of this year’s Alabama team is that it can win in almost any way possible. Notre Dame chose to sit and play a lot, which allowed Jones to check a bit and allow his game makers to get yards after the receptions. If the state of Ohio chooses to play tight and take that away, it will open things up for Smith and John Metchie III to go deeper and produce the explosive moves that have become synonymous with Tide football. The loss of pivot Landon Dickerson did not appear to be a major problem against the Irish, but he hoped the state of Ohio would increase pressure in several ways to test an Alabama offensive line that is ready for the Joe Moore award to the main OL units of the parents.
Alabama’s defense became increasingly important as the season progressed. It only allowed 3.7 yards per race to Notre Dame at the Rose Bowl, which prevented quarterback Ian Book from working out of the game – a staple of the Irish attack. Coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding did a tremendous job of generating pressure in several ways, which allowed the attack to dictate their high-octane style to opponents.
No. 3 Ohio State (7-0), Sugar Bowl champion
It is fair to say that the Buckeyes have taken the controversy over the value of their CFP personally. Clemson’s dismantling at the Sugar Bowl was as emphatic as any victory in a major Ohio game since the 2014 title game. Quarterback Justin Fields injured his belly in the middle of the second half, but did not appear to intimidate the junior star of double threat. He was able to move in his pocket and deliver blows to the bottom of the field throughout the game, and it is fair to assume that he should be in a position to continue 11 days from now. The return of a healthy Chris Olave made a big difference for the Buckeyes, who now have a trio of offensive weapons in Olave, colleague WR Garrett Wilson and running back Trey Sermon.
The Buckeyes found their identity in Game 7 of the 2020 season – just in time for Game 8 … but what about that defense? Lawrence and the Tigers moved up and down the field on Friday, which does not bode well against an Alabama team, which is college football’s most dangerous attack. Styles make fights, however. The Ohio state style is expected to create a lot of fighting next Monday night in South Florida.
Alabama x Ohio State early pick, predictions
It is one thing to debate the Ohio state curriculum, it is another to debate its overall value by title. They have proven that they deserve the title against Clemson and will end the title dispute against Alabama. The Buckeyes’ offensive line has grown over the course of the season and will give Fields plenty of time to do his job against Tide’s defense. This defense has historically fought mobile defenders operating outside time-based systems. See: Ole Miss earlier this year. There will be plenty of points at the Hard Rock Stadium with Fields avenging last season’s playoff disappointment by claiming the final college football prize in what should be his final game before heading to the NFL. Choose: Ohio State +7