It all comes down to this: Alabama 12-0 vs Ohio State 7-0 to crown the next undefeated national football champion.
Alabama is well known for this stage, with a 5-2 record in the last 11 national championships. Crimson Tide missed school football playoffs last year, but clearly drove them crazy enough to be undefeated.
However, the state of Ohio won the inaugural school football playoffs and eliminated Alabama in the semi-finals, in what was the only encounter between those elite systems in the last quarter century. In addition, the last two times, Alabama reached the name game with an undefeated record, lost.
What variety of will be repeated in Miami on Monday night?
How many problems will those offensive demolition balls put on the scoreboard?
Can you arrest DeVonta Smith? Or Trey Sermon?
Bleacher Report school football experts (David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Kerry Miller, Joel Reuter and Brad Shepard) have teamed up to create a definitive panel of predictions for all those questions and more.
It is conditional that the game is played on Monday and not postponed by COVID-19. We won’t stop putting this asterisk on everything for nine months.
Adam Kramer
But, to be clear, I don’t think we’re going to get a meat grinder from a football game, I don’t expect the final score to be 20-7. Given the skill on both sides and the explosiveity alone, there will be points.
Having said that, I would be surprised to see that either offense seeks to slow things down.
As fast as any team can play, keeping the ball out of each other’s hands for as long as you can imagine, what Notre Dame tried to deal with Alabama is a sensible strategy. Every offensive can temporarily mark and break this prediction to pieces, however, I think it would make sense for everyone to make long, scathing journeys.
My fear of contempt? It’s obvious. The skill here is historical. I’m involved with the prestige of Justin Fields, how come you didn’t notice this shot?However, there are so many players and pieces of laughter in this game, especially in this aspect of the ball.
There will be points. Lots of them. But 76 of them.
Kerry Miller
I have to move on to the top.
Alabama’s defense did not do well opposing groups with a vertical pass attack. We forgot about that for a while when Crimson Tide beat Mississippi State and Kentucky, but the SEC championship opposed to Florida was a clear reminder of the option to be meaningful. wins through the air in the D. Alabama. Sugar Bowl showed the damage Justin Fields and company can do with the deep ball.
And it’s a similar story when Alabama has the ball.
The best school in Ohio State good enough for boring offenses, however, Clemson, Indiana and Penn State launched it relatively easily when the offensive line was able to keep the pass at bay. The Alabama O-Line has not allowed more than two catches in one game. as he dropped three catches against Georgia, and they came here in a game in which Mac Jones threw another 417 yards and four touchdowns.
Alabama’s 45-40 victory over Clemson in January 2016 and the USC-Texas Rose Bowl in 2006 were the only occasions in BCS/CFP history when the name game eclipsed all 75 points, but this game will enroll this club.
David Kenyon
I expect one rotation each, so it’s more than 1. 5 without a winner in the still vital rotation war.
Alabama had a gift in each and every game throughout the season until the semi-final win against Notre Dame, so it’s moderate to be waiting for that. Ohio State, in the same way, has spit the ball at least once in six of its seven games. .
Justin Fields’ unknown prestige is, of course, a key detail of this conversation. After taking the crushing blow opposed to Clemson, he did not strike so often. I’m not a medical expert, so I have no opinion on your theoretical aptitude for the matching name. Let’s hope he’s close to his full strength. But if you’re limited as a broker for some reason, a few more pass attempts can be problematic.
If you want to climb, it is because a component has been damaged and the voltage is coming. Pressure throws are risky and many more high-risk pass attempts would be a concern.
But I hope Fields’ physical condition isn’t a problem.
Kerry Miller
Alabama has made precisely one ball loss in each of its first 11 games of the season, and I think this Ohio State defenseman (18 forced ball losses in seven games) will be able to force and escape.
However, it may not be Najee Harris.
The finalist deserved to have been Heisman only lost one getaway all season, and even this one (against Ole Miss three months ago) was a confusing game in the line of purpose in which referees can also have without problems that his forward momentum had stopped before. . was stripped. It will be random someone like Brian Robinson Jr. or Slade Bolden, who would possibly strive to do too much with one of his 3 or 4 touches in the game.
But Alabama will win this war and secure the lead by forcing two ball losses, one that causes a big stir in the first half and an interception at the end of the fourth quarter when the state of Ohio begins to become depressed and is at greater risk.
Adam Kramer
I don’t think Justin Fields is going to throw 350 yards in this game. Of course. We saw at least what was imaginable when Florida set that upper Alabama court on fire in the SEC championship game. Kyle Trask quarterback and his gun collection connected for 408 yards through the air.
So, is that possible? Yes, would I be surprised if Fields overshadowed this kind of footage?
Mac Jones has a chance of succeeding in that brand, but I think it’ll fall short.
One thing that has become apparent in Ohio State-Clemson is that Secondary Buckeyes has, well, gaps. A magnificent defensive line effort allowed them to be temporarily masked, but they are there.
This is a passing game in Alabama that can welcome Jaylen Waddle again. That would be spectacular. (For Alabama. Less for the state of Ohio). But even if Waddle doesn’t play, this aerial game is still full of options.
Jones has managed 350 yards or more in six of his 12 games this season, and he surely will. If you’ve seen Alabama this season, you know the possibility of a massive game is still there. I think it’s going to fall a little short.
Kerry Miller
As long as no quarterback is injured, I’ll say yes. Mac Jones and Justin Fields can succeed on that threshold, I’m much more sure Jones will.
Jones has played six games with more than 380 yards per air, and his average performance for the year is 336. 3. The camps passed 385 a week ago, however, this is the first time he has surpassed 320 in his career.
Ohio state defense has already allowed at least 400 yards per pass twice this season, and has played only seven games. 270 yards consistent with the pass. Florida is the only one over 400, and I suspect the state of Ohio will be more involved in the race in this game than the Gators at any time this year.
And who knows what kind of fitness Fields will be in after the injury to the painting he suffered at the Sugar Bowl. It was quite difficult for him to be able to complete this game, but now that the bruises and the like have settled, can we really expect it to be close to 100%?
That’s not to say that in any way the fields can throw 350 meters. He could. But Jones is safer about that.
Brad Shepard
With the way Najee Harris and Trey Sermon have looked lately, they both have a chance to succeed on that brand on Monday.
But this is a dive.
As mediocre as the defenses were, they combined to allow only two 100-yard pitchers all year round, and came here when Alabama played Ole Miss. The rebels defeated Snoop Conner and Jerrion Ealy.
But running the ball is the Buckeyes game, and Sermon will have to ease some of his quarterback’s tension with a game on the field.
Will he succeed in the 331 yards he had opposed to Northwestern or even in the 193 shown against Clemson?It’s questionable. But Sermon is going to be important in this game, and Alabama has to find a way to get him involved.
Kerry Miller
Najee Harris and Trey Sermon have accumulated at least 125 yards on the court in their last two games, but I’ll say no.
With the exception of that wild game opposite Ole Miss earlier this season, Alabama has allowed an individual player to run more than 115 yards in a game since Georgia’s Nick Chubb in October 2015.
And it’s not like the SEC hasn’t had big ball carriers in the last five years. As you can tell with Kyren Williams running 16 times for 64 yards at the Rose Bowl, Crimson Tide can hit a star racer.
The state of Ohio had more defensive fouls than Alabama in the 2015-18 window, however, in the subsequent two seasons, the only two players to eclipse the 85 yards on the court versus the Buckeyes were Trevor Lawrence (107 at last year’s Fiesta Bowl) and Jonathan Taylor (148 in last year’s Big Ten championship).
If anyone needs to succeed, I guess it’s going to be Harris, the sermon’s been hot lately, but Harris has a much longer record. However, I don’t see any of them reaching a hundred meters, let alone 125.
David Kenyon
Aside from Florida, Alabama hasn’t played a game with fewer than 15 problems this season. This trend has allowed Tide to keep his specialist out of the spotlight, which, as a former kicker, I know is ideal anyway.
I mean, the tendency to perfection continues, but now my friend Kerry has brought the dreaded curse announcer to the poor Will Reichard.
No, Kerry. I probably wouldn’t allow it.
Let’s see this: Reichard will miss each and every attempt. It will be the worst game of his career, adding a terrible 22-yard stretch in the last quarter when Alabama is left behind by two points. He will be remembered as the kicker who won a National Championship of Crimson Tide.
Is that enough counter-curse? Kickers are people!
Kerry Miller
Oh, David, Je’s not looking to hurt anyone, but can it be a national championship game without a moment #CollegeKickers?
The only thing that happened to LSU in last year’s name game was that Cade York missed a 45-yard basket. At last year’s national championship, Alabama and Clemson missed an additional point. And Andy Pappanastos of Bama missed two goals in the in-house area from 40 yards in the final game of the 2017-18 season.
But Reichard is the best 90 of 90 this season and has connected to an intensity of 52 meters. Unless you see some kind of “Well, I could also kick” kick it from the outside of your convenience zone as the best game before the break, I hope it’s still flawless.
If there is a sloppy kick, it will max out, probably coming from Ohio State, which is just 6 of 10 in placement attempts this season.
However, I may not pretend to be surprised if the kicking game raises its ugly head like the Achilles heel of Nick Saban’s unstoppable team in a different way. We’ve noticed this movie several times before.
Joel Reuter
The apparent is apparent for a reason.
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith leads the country with receptions and 1,641 yards receiving, and has led receptions (tied or tied) in 8 of his 12 games this season.
Ohio State has a great corner for Shaun Wade, but Kaiir Elam of Florida is terribly alone. Smith illuminated the Gators for 15 receptions and 184 yards in the SEC name game.
Jaylen Waddle’s possible return may mean fewer goals for Smith, however, the most likely maximum of final results is that it serves as a valuable decoy while preventing Ohio State security from fooling Smith.
Ohio State catcher Chris Olave has 24 receptions and 372 yards received in the team’s last three games, and if the Buckeyes fall early, they may end up throwing the ball a lot. Still, I hope the country’s most productive catcher finishes his career in Alabama with one last big game.
Kerry Miller
I wrote this query and without delay regret my resolve not to put it this way: Will DeVonta Smith make the highest receptions?Because with all due respect to Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and John Metchie III, it’s a “Smith or the “Situation” field.
And I just have to go through with the Heisman winner because I suspect he’s about to come out in a glow of glory.
Smith already has four games this season with at least 11 receptions for more than 160 yards and has had at least six receptions in a single game.
It’s like the state of Ohio has a closed corner to put it on. Before the season, we thought Shaun Wade might be the star of this defensive, but this year he struggled.
As a result, Ohio State allowed eight receptions for 144 yards and 3 touchdowns for Penn State’s Jahan Dotson, seven receptions for 218 yards and three receptions for Indiana’s Ty Fryfogle, and eight receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns for Clemson’s Cornell Powell. I think Smith completed the night with 10 receptions for 190 yards and a couple of notes.
Brad Shepard
I’m passing by to spend with Shaun Wade here, and it’s not a positive light.
When Jeffrey Okudah left for the NFL, Wade went to the corner of the box to stay in the slot, and, well, it didn’t go too well, now he’s going to have the unenviable task of competing against DeVonta Smith and Co.
(If Jaylen Waddle can enter the field, it will be a even decision for Wade and the Secondary Buckeyes).
No matter how smart Clemson’s defensive backs were last year, they may not cling to talented LSU receivers once they were in the name game, and that theme can be repeated this year. teammates the game.
Kerry Miller
Narrowly delimiting the “What happened to Shaun Wade?” Speaking of who will come with the Alabama frenzy, I’m going in a more positive direction by saying that Dylan Moses of Alabama will be the defensive star of the game.
For a guy who entered the season as a highly touted draft hope returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament to the country’s most productive team, I’m surprised at how much I’ve heard Moses’ call so far this year. he’s invisible. He made 70 tackles, recorded an interception opposed to the state of Mississippi, and forced a break to the SEC championship (although Florida regained it).
But I think he’ll be a major contributor in the middle of the defense, as opposed to a team that runs a lot of inclined routes and has a cell quarterback. Well, Justin Fields is regularly quite cellular, it’s hard to wait for how you’re in a position. he’s going to be there to fight with his wounds.
Moses will also excel in at least a few tackles of Trey Sermon, who has been practically attacking in recent games.
Joel Reuter
Alabama’s defense allowed four touchdowns and 37 problems overall in the first quarter of the season, meaning smart cash is on a Crimson Tide player who is the first to cross the line of purpose.
Offensive end Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith scored seven touchdowns in the first quarter of the year, and I’d expect the Crimson Tide to review to identify the early running game with as much attention likely directed at Smith (and potentially Jaylen Waddle?) In the aerial game.
So my selection is Harris.
That said, it’s not the thrilling top selection given that he leads the country with 24 touchdowns and 27 touchdowns in total, so I’ll also make a black horse “In case the Buckeyes get the kick start and score right away”: Tight The end of OSU Jeremy Ruckert.
The 6. 5″ and 253-pound junior has caught 12 passes throughout the season, however, he has discovered the finish zone five times, adding two in the Sugar Bowl opposed to Clemson.
Kerry Miller
If you’ve read my answers so far, you’ve probably inferred that Alabama will win.
But here’s a curious fact: the team that lost scored the first landing in five of the last seven national championships. And if we adjust that to the “first offensive landing,” it’s six of the last seven.
I’m already operating on the assumption that the state of Ohio would temporarily begin before Alabama made some changes and imposed its will over the past three quarters. This little nugget of data convinced me even more that the Buckeyes will score first.
Here’s another fun fact: Chris Olave leads the Buckeyes in touchdowns with seven, however, he’s not the first user to score at any of the Ohio State games. In five of the seven games, it was a rushed touchdown. Trey Sermon, while I don’t think he’s getting close to the quick totals he’s released in his last two games, he’s going to hit one to score Ohio State’s first game.
David Kenyon: Alabama wins 41-30. Ohio State organized a defensive game right in front of Clemson, however, I’m involved in the ability of high school to care for DeVonta Smith in an offensive called Steve Sarkisian. Smith is simply different- Calibre receiver the Buckeyes faced, and Sarkisian will be much more effective than Clemson’s emergency caller, Brandon Streeter. Ohio State will move the ball, but not enough to adapt to Alabama’s pace.
Adam Kramer: It’s going to be Alabama, it probably wouldn’t be a rash, but it probably wouldn’t be a complete stopwatch that comes down to the wire, just a wonderful team that ends the year somehow.
Kerry Miller: The state of Ohio is much more impressive in the Sugar Bowl than I could have imagined, and that functionality made me doubt a little at first, but I decide alabama to win and cover. Even without contemplating the option of Jaylen Waddle returning to the field, the Crimson Tides are too smart in attack, and I can’t see Ohio State maintaining speed for 60 minutes. DeVonta Smith won the Heisman, but Mac Jones will be the offensive MVP of a 49-37 win in Alabama.
Joel Reuter: The Buckeyes answered the question of whether they deserved to be in the playoffs with a decisive victory over Clemson, but Alabama has been in a separate league all season. Justin Fields, Trey Sermon and the Ohio State offensive are smart enough to score points, and defending the Buckeyes will keep things from getting too out of the Array, but I hope Alabama is in the big picture from start to finish. Final score: Alabama 41, Ohio State 28
Brad Shepard: Of all the recent teams in Alabama, this is perhaps the toughest offense, and I don’t think offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian who gets the Texas concert has an effect on that team. I’m not sure Justin Fields can give his team enough trouble to keep the Crimson Tide. It’s going to be a smart football game, but in the end I see Alabama making too many plays on the air as opposed to Ohio State High School and winning 41-31.