No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Ohio State will meet at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night at the College Football Playoff National Championship – a competition that could prove to be one of the most intriguing title fights in recent memory. Crimson Tide passed over the SEC on the way to the conference title, while the undefeated Buckeyes needed just six games to claim the conference title and win a seat at the CFP.
That’s when things got really interesting. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields exploded against No. 2 Clemson with 385 passing yards and six touchdown shots, despite suffering a rib injury at the end of the second quarter that made the junior shiver in pain during the second half. . Speaking of explosions, running back Trey Sermon ran for 636 yards and four touchdowns in the last three games, and he benefited from an offensive line that grew when the Buckeyes found his identity offensive. The defense proved against the Tigers, which was the most important development of the Sugar Bowl. Clemson’s quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, was harassed all night, even in the middle – a quarterback’s worst nightmare.
The big story in Columbus, Ohio, last week involved the availability of players. All eyes are on Fields’ ribs, and coach Ryan Day insists his superstar will be ready to go on Monday night. The Buckeyes are also dealing with a COVID-19 issue that brought the possibility of delaying the game until January 18.
Alabama, led by Heisman DeVonta Smith Trophy-winning wide receiver and star quarterback Mac Jones, had no problems with No. 4 Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl. The attack reached 7.95 yards per move, thanks to offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s brilliant calling game. His ability to plan to make his game creators – including running back Najee Harris – have the ball in space has been stellar throughout the season, no matter what the opposing defense is giving them. There may be little concern that Sarkisian’s new role as Texas coach might become a distraction, but Alabama coach Nick Saban has a lot of experience preparing for big games with assistants who are set for bigger roles elsewhere. .
It will be fascinating to see how Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding plot a plan to slow Fields down. The double threat star found great success in the air with wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, and also involved the tight ends more than all year long.
Here’s what our college football experts at CBS Sports believe will happen on Monday, when Alabama enters the 2021 CFP National Championship as more than a favorite for Ohio’s touchdown.
Alabama vs. Forecasts Ohio State, choices
Most recent odds:
Alabama Crimson Tide -9
Take the points, but you won’t need them. The state of Ohio will win this one at once. The Buckeyes’ front seven shone lights on Clemson, especially in the middle. This will be costly for an offensive Alabama line that is losing the center-winning, Rimington Landon Dickerson award winner. On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes’ offensive line found its rhythm at the end of the season, which, under normal circumstances, would be the middle of a 12-game schedule. That is what is important here. How many teams find their step in the middle of a normal schedule? Tons This happens every year. It is essentially where the Buckeyes are now. It will be a line of scrimmage game. Ohio State will win more of these battles than Alabama, leading to a much-disputed victory in which the under rebounds. Choice: State of Ohio +8 | Ohio State 35, Alabama 31 – Barrett Sallee
Will the Buckeyes lose a number of important initiators? And if so, what positions will be affected? It is vital information to have a handicap game, but it is also important to remember that this is not the first time that the state of Ohio has dealt with such issues. Even last week against Clemson, it was Ohio State without a few players that still managed to win convincingly. Still, as good as Clemson is, Alabama is a totally different case. Assuming that large parts of the list are not missing, this is an Ohio state team capable of creating problems for Alabama. The Crimson Tide has been an absolute steamroller for the entire season. Their attack is led by three players who finished in the top five of the Heisman Trophy, voting with wide receiver winner DeVonta Smith, as well as quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris. They also have one of the best offensive lines in the country and, oh yes, they can have WR Jaylen Waddle back this week too. The emergence of Trey Sermon’s transfer in Oklahoma (636 running yards and four touchdowns in the last three games) added another dimension to the Ohio State attack and lifted much of the burden off Justin Fields’ shoulders. The Buckeyes must be able to move the ball and score in this Alabama defense. That’s why, with the information now available, Buckeyes cover the spread. Choice: State of Ohio +8 | Alabama 38-31 – Tom Fornelli
To beat Alabama you have to BE Alabama. That is, have a set of weapons of rapid attack that can overcome anyone. It worked for LSU last year with the third worst defense for a national champion. It worked better than ever for Alabama. Buckeyes have the weapons to win a shootout. Durable tailback? Check (Trey Sermon). High flying receivers? Check (Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson). Quarterback star? Check (Justin Fields). The magic number to win on Monday is at least 40 points. Both teams will get there. Alabama will take it. Bad. Choice: State of Ohio +8 | Alabama 48, Ohio State 42 – Dennis Dodd
Alabama wins this game more often, and the style of their victories this year – creating an early lead with a devastating first punch – makes me think it will be Tide defending the lead for much of the second half. So this choice boils down to whether Alabama can keep the back door closed, and my guess is that the lessons learned from Florida’s last onslaught in the SEC Championship game have the Tide best prepared for whatever Justin Fields is. and the powerful attack of the Buckeyes present as their last challenge. in the game. I think the spread is a bigger sweat than the game, and Alabama gets a classic in wire-to-wire fashion. Choose: Alabama -8 | Alabama 48, Ohio State 35 – Chip Patterson
Ending Clemson was impressive and, without a doubt, unexpected. Despite all the controversy over the number of games it played, Ohio State proved that it not only belonged to the playoff, but deserves a chance for Alabama. Buckeyes have speed and stamina to keep up with Alabama’s attack – but can they make the necessary stops? Alabama has been the best team all season. They have the best offensive players and that will prevail – not before the Buckeyes score eight points. Choice: State of Ohio +8 | Alabama 38, Ohio State 31 – Ben Kercheval
Alabama has been the best college football team for the entire season, and I have no reason to believe that Crimson Tide won’t be late Monday night either. Alabama is suitable for reaching the state of Ohio where it is weakest – in the secondary – regardless of whether Jaylen Waddle can return or not. A limited Justin Fields, especially in the racing game, makes it difficult for Buckeyes to keep up. Choose: Alabama -8 | Alabama 37, Ohio state 27 – Jerry Palm
It is difficult to choose against Alabama as a single digit favorite when he only won by a few points once this season. Yes, Ohio State is probably Bama’s best team, but it hasn’t faced such an attack, despite having beaten Clemson in the semifinals. This should be a high-scoring game, but I think the difference lies in the terrain where Tide has a few more answers for Trey Sermon than the Buckeyes for Najee Harris. If Alabama manages to run the ball consistently, it will limit Ohio State’s opportunities to make a big move, which Clemson did not. Expect an exciting and competitive game for the national title that Tide will cover at the beginning of the fourth period. Be aware, however: Ohio State has been 7-0 since 2009 as an underdog of seven points or more. I am going against this trend, but it is worth considering. Choose: Alabama -8 | Alabama 41, Ohio State 31 – Adam Silverstein
I hope this game is exactly the shooting that some expect. Justin Fields and the Ohio State attack should start close to where they left off in the victory over Clemson and do some damage against that Tide side. In the end, however, Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones and this Alabama attack arrive late at the Buckeyes to put a limit on what could be an instant classic. Choice: State of Ohio +8 | Alabama 42, Ohio state 35 – Jack Crosby
So, who will beat Alabama against Ohio State in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, and which side of the spread will have all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side you need to jump on, all from the model on a 56-36 roll in highly rated college football choices.