Alabama vs Ohio State top picks, predictions, odds for college football playoff national championship game



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The Alabama No.1 and Ohio State No.4 have been doing business in their respective National Semifinals and will play at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. On January 11. for the National College Football Playoff Championship. It will be a rematch of their classic Sugar Bowl national semi-final game after the 2014 season – the first in the four-team playoff format.

The Crimson Tide comes from a 31-14 complete dismantling of No. 3. Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith and quarterback Mac Jones – both Heisman Trophy finalists – led an offense that racked up 437 yards and 7.9 yards per game against a strong Irish fighting defense. This will be Tide’s fifth national title appearance in the past six years.

The Buckeyes will make their first appearance in the title game since dominating Alabama in the semifinals and Oregon in the title game after the 2014 season. The emphatic 49-28 victory over the No. 2 Clemson was led by quarterback Justin Fields and his Sugar Bowl record at six touchdowns.

No. 1 Alabama (12-0), Rose Bowl champion

The beauty of this year’s Alabama squad is that they can win in just about any way they can. Notre Dame chose to sit and play a lot of zone, which gave Jones a bit of a check and allowed his playmakers to get some yards after catches. If the state of Ohio chooses to play tight and pull that out, that will pave the way for Smith and John Metchie III to deepen and produce the explosive games that have become synonymous with tidal football. Losing center Landon Dickerson didn’t seem like a big deal against the Irish, but expect Ohio State to press in various ways to test an Alabama offensive line that is vying for the Joe Moore award for the best OL unit in the country.

The Alabama defense has become more and more of a force as the season progresses. He allowed Notre Dame just 3.7 yards per carry in the Rose Bowl, which kept quarterback Ian Book from working out of action play – a staple of the Irish offense. Coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding did a terrific job of generating pressure in a variety of ways, which allowed the offense to dictate its high octane style to opponents.

No.3 Ohio State (7-0), Sugar Bowl champion

It’s fair to say that the Buckeyes have taken the controversy over his CFP value personally. Clemson’s dismantling in the Sugar Bowl was as emphatic as any victory in a big Ohio State game since the 2014 title game. Quarterback Justin Fields injured his midsection midway through the second quarter, but that didn’t seem to scare off the double-threat junior star. He was able to move around the pocket and perform deep hitting throughout the game, and it’s fair to assume he should be good to go in 11 days. The return of a healthy Chris Olave has made a big difference for the Buckeyes, who now have an offensive weapon trio in Olave, compatriot WR Garrett Wilson and running back Trey Sermon.

The Buckeyes found their identity in Game 7 of Season 2020 – just in time for the natty in Game 8 … but what about that defense? Lawrence and the Tigers moved up and down the field on Friday, which doesn’t bode well against an Alabama team which is college football’s most dangerous offense. Styles however make fights. The Ohio State styling is set to create quite a fight next Monday night in South Florida.

Alabama vs Ohio State early pick, predictions

It’s one thing to debate the Ohio State resume, but it’s another to debate the overall value of the title. They have proven they deserve the title against Clemson and will finish a title race against Alabama. Buckeyes’ offensive line has grown throughout the season, and that will give Fields plenty of time to do his job against the Tide defense. This defense has always struggled against mobile quarterbacks operating from tempo-based systems. See: Ole Miss earlier this year. There will be plenty of points at Hard Rock Stadium with Fields avenging last season’s playoff disappointment by claiming the ultimate college football prize in what is expected to be his last game before moving on to the NFL. Choice: Ohio State +7



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