Arianna Allen
Editor in Chief
The Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in a battle of the offenses at the College National Football Championship on Jan. 11 in Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Buckeyes and the Crimson Tide are both two offensive minded teams with expectancy that this will be a high scoring game filled with pressure on the defense for key stops.
Senior quarterback, Justin Fields, leads the Buckeyes offense with 1,906 passing yards, while senior running back, Trey Sermon, leads the rushing yards with 868 yards according to espn.com.
Fields is also a former 2019 Heisman Finalist, as well as a 2020 top 10 Heisman finisher, according to heisman.com.
Ohio State has been ruled the underdogs of the College Football Playoffs, with many individuals questioning the legitimacy of this team, playing only six regular season games. However, they are no stranger to adversity.
Prior to the College Football Semi-final, Head Coach Ryan Day said to the College Gameday hosts “… One night we have to all come together and execute at a high, high level…”, discussing the challenges and disruptions that COVID-19 related issues have presented this season.
Day went on to discuss the importance of each player knowing their role, and executing while on the field for their teammates.
While preparing for Clemson, Day talked about the importance of the defensive lineman performing well.
“…You have to control the line of scrimmage, you have to get pressure, you know, on the quarterback…” Day said. He went onto state the “veteran linebackers” would help lead this defense with their experience.
With Ohio State making a statement against the number two team in the country, the Clemson Tigers, one question remains.
Will Ohio State be able to keep up with Alabama’s passing game to Heisman Finalist DeVonta Smith while containing the running game to defeat the Crimson Tide?
Alabama football is known for powerful offenses, coached by arguably the best college football coach, Nick Saban. The number one ranked team in the country is led by quarterback Mac Jones who sat behind current NFL starters, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts.
The Tide are known for having a fast-paced offense that is explosive on the run and dynamic in their passing routes having two offensive weapons in Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith–who has 20 touchdowns, and Running back Najee Harris– who has 24 touchdowns, according to espn.com.
After the Rose Bowl win over the number fourth ranked team, Notre Dame, Jones stated, “…take what the defense gives you, and obviously we have the best offensive line, so we have plenty of time to take shots down field, and then plenty of time to hit the quick game stuff to our receivers, tight ends, and running backs…”
According to heisman.com, the offense has three of the top ten Heisman finishers in Jones, Smith and Harris.
When asked in a post game interview about what it means to be the Offensive Player of the Game, Rose Bowl Champs and headed to the National Championship, Smith said, “it means a lot but we (are) not done yet.”
According to rolltide.com, they average 48.17 points per game and allow an average of 19 points per game.
With Defensive-minded coach, Saban, there is no question that Alabama’s defense will step- up against a dynamic offense.
As of right now, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Crimson Tide have a 61.5 percent chance of winning the National Championship. However, do not count out the Buckeyes as their eyes look hungry as they can taste victory on the tip of their tongues.
There is no doubt that Hard Rock stadium will be rocking even with limited capacity on Jan. 11 as the battle for the National College Football Championship continues.
