Here we are. The Championship. A little bit of a different matchup than what most, including myself, had in mind. But that’s the beauty of college football. And even more beautiful than the unexpected matchup? The chance both teams have to stamp their legacy in college football history. This truly is some of the best content the planet has to offer. I will be posting my picks at the end of the blog tonight, as I feel the need to get my thoughts out on both teams separately before diving into my prediction. It’s Monday evening, I just enjoyed a nice shower beer, and I’m ready for the all-encompassing vibe of college football to start me up one last time this season.
Ohio State: I mean, could you have proven me more wrong? I called this team more fraudulent than Notre Dame. While I guess that could still be seen, it was essentially thrown out the window last weekend after an absolute showing from Justin Fields and the defensive line. I completely ignored the narrative from their loss the previous season to Clemson and the fact that they’ve had the score of that game posted in the weight room ever since. You cannot deny narratives like that in college football, they mean way more than any piece of analytic data could. I overlooked it and got burned for it. This offense has more weapons than many people give them credit for, and those weapons need to be on display again in their fight tonight. Ryan Day also needs to have… well… a day too. He’s drawn up some good schemes for Justin Fields mobile ability, but we’ll see if Fields injury is lingering enough to maybe draw them back a bit by keeping him in the pocket. I would venture to guess, looking back at this team’s season, that maybe they have simply ‘got it going at the right time’. As for the issues in the Big Ten Championship, Northwestern has proven to be a formidable opponent. They curb stomped Auburn in their bowl game and deserve respect. So, looking back, the troubles seen in that game kind of add up (on top of the fact that they were missing some of their best offensive features). Overall, this program is still reaping the benefits from what Urban Meyer built – and will see its issues over the next couple of seasons with certain pieces on the move… but for now, the Buckeyes are still a force to be reconned with. And you cannot sleep on the momentum that carries over from the Clemson game. You cannot.
Alabama: The record holding wave pick for the Digest. This offense is just as dynamic if not potentially more-so than the LSU Tigers from last season. Just so many ways to beat you on the field at once. They should have no problem continuing to put up points in tonight’s matchup, and while they have seemingly been lazy at points the past couple of weeks, I don’t think they will be lazy for one play tonight. They will show their stuff, and it will be seen by all. But while I give all credit in the world to the offense, the defense – while decent – isn’t anything to write home about. Like I mentioned in the Ohio State summary, I would have to think the focal point will be in the pass rush and making Justin Fields as uncomfortable as possible as soon as possible. Fields should be capable enough, with the weapons surrounding him, to step up and match that – but it will really come down to his health. At the end of the day, we know what Alabama is. They’re the best team in college football. Will they play the best college football tonight? That remains to be seen. But there is a reason they were the wave pick, there is a reason I told you to nab a future on them to be the champs in October, and those reasons speak for themselves. They’re a wagon who can get lazy at times because they know who they are. They need to be themselves tonight and not miss a beat.
Onto Miami...
(3) Ohio State @ (1) Alabama: Alabama ML, Ohio State +8.5, Over 74.5
I don’t want this game to be a blowout, and I don’t think it will be. These picks are all based on the narrative we have here – and that is Justin Fields. Will Justin Fields be able to move, that is going to be the key item to look for the first time the Buckeyes offense steps onto the field. If they are able to get a touchdown on their first two drives, I’m confident in the Ryan Day playbook and the status of Fields. We’re lining up for another classic, where the last team to have the ball has a chance to win the game. I do think, regardless of how I started this prediction, that last team will be Ohio State… and maybe a bad penalty or two will set them up in an almost impossible situation, therefore causing a prayer that will fall just short of a Cinderella story. Alabama will do what they do on offense, and if the Ohio State line is giving Najee Harris any issues, then they will attack on their multiple other fronts. It will ultimately come down to the offense for Ohio State and if they are able to keep up. As college football fans, in the last game of the season, we’re rooting for that – and sometimes you just have to place your bets in favor of what you’re rooting for as a fan instead of being such a nerd about them (although I checked with the nerds just cause and they basically agree with most of this). So, offensive shootout – over. Alabama ML right now is boosted on FanDuel to -110, duh. And then we root for the middle where Ohio State is able to keep it close enough, keep us all interested throughout, and maybe fall just short in yet another phenomenal end to the college football season.
Final Score: Alabama 42, Ohio State 35
Running Record: (90-69-3)
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