We finally made it. After months and months of ups and downs all over college football, only one game remains to be played. Monday night’s national championship features arguably the sport’s two most iconic programs as #1 Alabama and #3 Ohio State will fight for a title. Both of these teams have taken very different paths to get here, but their seasons unfolded fairly similarly. These are the last two unbeaten teams left in college football, and it only feels right that this is the matchup for the title. The Crimson Tide and the Buckeyes separated themselves from the rest of the country this season, and this matchup should be a blast.
In the College Football Playoff Semifinal games, both Alabama and Ohio State disposed of their opponents fairly easily. The Tide dispatched #4 Notre Dame in a very predictable outcome, and the Bucks dismantled #2 Clemson in every phase despite being big underdogs for a major upset to put the rest of the nation on notice. Ohio State QB Justin Fields was an absolute star on New Year’s Day, throwing for 6 touchdowns against the Tigers despite taking a brutal hit early in the game.
Everything since the semis has been a dream for Alabama, as they practically swept the national award scene, including an unprecedented Heisman Trophy for WR Devonta Smith, the first receiver to win the award since 1991. Smith has had a legendary season, catching 105 passes for 1,641 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns. The man throwing him the football, QB Mac Jones, was also a finalist for the Heisman, and for good reason. Jones threw for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns thanks to some truly incredible play. He finally got his chance to prove his worth, and he has exceeded all expectations. The third head of the Tide monster offensive attack is RB Najee Harris, who has broken seemingly every Alabama record for a runningback in his time in Tuscaloosa. This year, Harris ran for 1387 yards and a whopping 24 touchdowns to cement himself as one of the best RBs in Alabama, and maybe even college football, history. This offense has been the story of the season all year long, and while their defense has been a bit suspect at times, this three-headed monster makes up for it all. But Alabama will have their hands full with the men on the other side of the field in scarlet and gray.
Ohio State has taken a very bumpy road to get to Miami, but they absolutely deserve to be in this spot. After hearing nothing but doubt after playing a 6-game season and being matched up with the mighty Clemson Tigers, the Buckeyes shut the world up and put everyone on notice with a massive 49-28 win in the Sugar Bowl 10 days ago. Now, they get one last shot to prove themselves. QB Justin Fields leads the charge, and while his regular season was very inconsistent at times, he is getting very hot at the perfect time. After throwing the aforementioned 6 TDs in his last game, with several of them being on tight, perfect passes, Fields quite literally has the hot hand. But he’s not the only story on offense. RB Trey Sermon has emerged as an elite threat out of the backfield, both running and receiving the ball. Sermon has 636 yards rushing in his last 3 games, seemingly channeling his inner 2014-15 Ezekiel Elliott for Ohio State. The offensive line has been dominating the trenches game after game, and if Sermon can get going on Monday night, it can do wonders for the passing game. WRs like Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson already get involved all the time, but if both the run and pass game are clicking, then this Ohio State offense is almost impossible to stop. Like Alabama, the Buckeyes defense can be a bit head-scratching at times, but in their last few games, they have been very sound. The secondary is a major question, but the front seven has been ferocious in getting after QBs and disrupting the run game. If the defense can do enough to affect Alabama’s potent offensive attack, then Ohio State’s offense will be put in a position to win this game. That is exactly what they need to happen.
I honestly think these teams match up perfectly with one another. Their offenses are built to bail out any mistakes their defenses might make, but their defenses still have enough talent to make plays to help their team win the game. It’s going to be an incredible sight to see. With that being said, it’s time to make my pick for this game.
Ohio State 42-38 Alabama 
Monday, 8:00, ESPN
Before you start screaming about bias or anything like that, please allow me to explain myself. This is such a hard pick for me to make. Like I said before, I think these teams match up perfectly with one another. However, I think there are certain things that can help Ohio State separate themselves throughout this game. The biggest of those things is the defense. While it has been porous at times, it has also stepped up when it has needed to in the biggest moments of the season. That is an undeniable fact. Whether it has been turnovers, stops, or momentum shifts, this unit has done its job in the most important spots. They will likely be up to the challenge of stopping what might be the best offense in college football history, and I think they can make enough plays to put Fields and company in a position to go and win the game. If Justin Fields can play as lights out as he did in the Sugar Bowl, then there will be no stopping him. Another factor, which I don’t think is as important or even significant, is fatigue. I saw some people mention that Ohio State was more energized to beat Clemson because they had played 5 less games, which might be true, but is probably just another sorry excuses from the sore losers down in South Carolina. There is no doubt that Alabama’s offense will do big things in this game, as they always do. But that defense has looked very suspect all season long, especially when facing elite offenses. This is the best offense they will have played all season long, and I don’t know if they’ll be ready for it. I can totally see Ohio State dominating in the trenches and opening big lanes for their running game to flourish all night long. In any case, I can guarantee that points will be abundant in this game. The over is a charity for all my betting folks out there.
It would not shock me at all if Alabama wins this game. I mean, of course it wouldn’t. They’ve been the best team in football for almost the whole season, and they’re 8-point favorites in this game. They have the best offense in America led by the Heisman winner at WR. They have elite NFL talent all over the field. But so does Ohio State. And this team is playing some of the most inspired football I have ever seen before. This group has fought so hard to be in this position, and now that they’re here, I have no doubt in my mind that they will take full advantage of it. Justin Fields will leave Columbus as a Buckeye legend by bringing the 9th title to town.
I’m already as nervous as I’ve ever been for a football game in my life, but I’m more excited than anything else. This game will be extremely fun no matter what happens, and I’m just glad that I’ll be able to see it unfold. At the end of the day, it has been a great season, and I’m just happy to be here. There is nothing on this planet like college football. I hope you guys enjoy this game. I’ll see you on the other side.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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