Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State Football: Three predictions for the National Championship

By Frank Teriaca

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and quarterback Justin Fields (1) share a moment after Fields was awarded the Most Outstanding Player award after beating Clemson Tigers 49-28 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and quarterback Justin Fields (1) share a moment after Fields was awarded the Most Outstanding Player award after beating Clemson Tigers 49-28 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.College Football Playoff Ohio State Faces Clemson In Sugar Bowl /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Confetti falls on head coach Ryan Day and Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after they defeated the Clemson Tigers 49-28 during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Confetti falls on head coach Ryan Day and Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after they defeated the Clemson Tigers 49-28 during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Ohio State 48, Alabama 42

This is shaping up to be an all-time classic college football game. Two great teams on both sides of the field, this game is going to come down to the fourth quarter and possibly to whoever has the ball last.

Ohio State’s offense proved last week that it can score with anybody. And Alabama has been doing that all season long. This Alabama defense, while talented, has given up some points this season. Sounds awfully a lot like the Buckeye defense.

I believe Justin Fields will be able to throw the ball at will against ‘Bama.  But will his rib injury hinder his ability to escape the pocket and run for some first downs? I think that could be a huge difference in this game if Fields can do that.

On the other side of the ball, how can this Buckeye secondary stop this high flying attack from Mac Jones and Alabama? It probably cant but whoever is remaining on the Buckeye defensive line will absolutely need to create pressure in this game. Even if it’s just to make Mac Jones move in the pocket to get him off of his initial reads.

Another key aspect to this game could be special teams for Ohio State, mainly its kicking game. Kicker Blake Haubeil is clearly not healthy. Haubeil will probably kick extra points and shorter field goal attempts but it’s something worth watching. He is dealing with a groin injury and probably won’t be able to kickoff, leaving that duty to Dominic DiMaccio.

Justin Fields was marching down the field in last year’s national semi-final late in the game, trying to score a game-winning touchdown. Some miscommunication between him and Chris Olave caused an interception to end the game. This year is different. This year I say Fields finishes that drive off to win the National Championship.

Ohio State 48, Alabama 42.

Home/Ohio State Football