The 2020-2021 National Championship game is set for Monday, January 11, 2021, when the #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) face off against the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Alabama easily got past #4 Notre Dame in the semifinals, and Ohio State blew out the Clemson Tigers to get here. This game will air live on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Through seven games, the Ohio State offense is averaging 43.4 points per game and 544.9 yards per game, 272.3 through the air and 272.6 on the ground. Trey Surman leads the team with 868 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and Garrett Wilson has a team high 40 receptions for 673 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, the Buckeyes are allowing 21.0 points and 358.0 yards, 261.3 passing and 96.7 rushing.
After 12 games, the Alabama offense is averaging 48.2 points per game and 535.0 yards per game, 349.3 through the air and 185.7 on the ground. Najee Harris leads the team with 1,387 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, and DeVonta Smith has a team high 105 receptions for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns. Defensively, the Crimson Tide are allowing 19.5 points and 351.2 yards, 243.5 passing and 107.6 rushing.
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#3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (-7.5): O/U 74.5 (-115/-105)
Last time out, Ohio State faced off against the #2 Clemson Tigers, in New Orleans, and came away with a dominant 49-28 victory. This game was all Ohio State after the first quarter as the Buckeyes scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter and went on a 35-7 run between the third quarter and early fourth quarter. Justin Fields may have cemented himself as a top two NFL Draft selection after he went 22/28 for 385 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception, all after he took a vicious hit that looked like it would knock him out of the game. Chris Olave was the main beneficiary of Fields strong night as Olave hauled in six balls for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Trey Surman continued to run strong as he totaled 193 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries, a 6.2 average. Defensively, the Buckeyes allowed 444 total yards and forced two Clemson turnovers, one interception and one lost fumble.
Alabama was a heavy favorite against the #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Crimson Tide took care of business, winning 31-14 in Texas. This game was never in doubt as Alabama led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and led 31-7 early in the fourth quarter. Mac Jones went 25/30 for 297 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. DeVonta Smith hauled in seven balls for 130 yards and three touchdowns on the night and Najee Harris rushed the ball 15 times for 125 yards, an 8.3 average. Defensively, the Crimson Tide allowed 375 total yards and forced one Notre Dame interception.
Series History: Alabama leads the all-time series 3-1, but Ohio State came away with a 42-35 win in their last outing – the 2015 College Football Playoff semifinals.
CFB Predictions: This should be a great game, but I like the Alabama Crimson Tide -7.5 to cover the spread and win the National Championship.
2020 CFB Picks Results: 79-44
2020 Bowl Record: 18-7