Three Things to Look for in the 2021 National Championship
After a topsy, turvy, controversial year in college football, we have finally reached the National Championship game. COVID-19 has made its mark throughout the season leading to many players on top programs opting out, games being canceled and teams declining Bowl invites. Even though College Football went through an abbreviated season; we still have two of the top teams playing for the title: The Alabama Crimson Tide and the Ohio State Buckeyes. This game boasts the season’s Heisman Trophy winner (Devonte Smith), a Heisman finalist (Mac Jones), a top pick in this year’s draft (Justin Fields) and the greatest collegiate coach in the history of the game (Nick Saban). Currently, Alabama is favored by eight points going into Monday night’s game. The game will be won by whoever can exploit certain matchups.
1. Justin Fields running ability vs Alabama’s front seven.
The book on how to defeat Alabama’s defense is to have a dynamic quarterback that is outstanding in the passing game. Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, and Joe Burrow are some of the more contemporary examples of quarterbacks that have done well against the Tides defense. Watson, Lawrence and Burrow not only threw the ball well they did just enough moving around in the pocket, extending drives and doing just enough with their legs to make life miserable for Alabama. In order for Ohio State to be successful Fields has to use his legs on read-option type plays and scrambling for first downs. If Alabama can hold Fields in the pocket and limit him to under thirty yards then Alabama wins
2. Najee Harris as a receiving threat vs. the Ohio States front seven
We have all seen what Najee can do running the football this season. However, what goes overlooked his is ability to catch the ball. This season he has caught 36 balls for nearly 350 yards. In the SEC championship game and Semi-Final game, he caught nine balls for nearly a hundred yards and three touchdowns. I anticipate Ohio State’s secondary to commit its resources towards stopping Devonte Smith and possibly Jaylen Waddle leaving more room for Najee to work in the passing game. Now, this could be a part of the plan for the Buckeyes in an attempt to make Alabama dink and dunk in the passing game. By doing this Najee will have to step up in the passing game.
3. Nick Saban vs Ryan Day
Saban has a history of making huge decisions in big games that have worked out well. Coming out throwing against LSU in the ’12 title game, Surprise onside kick against Clemson in the ’16 title game, pulling Jalen Hurts at half time in the ’18 title game. The point being, Saban will have something up his sleeve that Ohio State is not expecting. Ryan Day on the other hand has only coached in 24 total games. Now, Day could end up being a really good coach in the future, but as yet to establish himself in big games where the talent is more even. Will he make the necessary adjustments during the game to outwit Saban? Les Miles and Kirby Smart didn’t and it ended up costing them the National Championship. Ohio State will have to “steal” a possession to outscore the Tide. Whoever can make the necessary adjustment either offensively or defensively will win this game.
Prediction:
Alabama 42
Ohio State 34
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