The College Football Playoff national championship game between Ohio State and Alabama is finally on the doorstep. The Buckeyes upsetting a heavily favored Clemson team was a pleasant surprise, and now OSU is an underdog once again to big, bad Alabama.
As with any game, there are keys that each team will have to be aware of in order to execute and walk away a winner, especially in a game of this magnitude where one or two plays in the game could decide the winner.
As we do with every Ohio State football game, we are providing five keys the Buckeyes need to go their way in order to shock the college football world for the second week in a row, and make it feel like 2014 all over again.
NEXT…Trey Sermon must show up again
Trey Sermon has to be effective against the Alabama defense
Trey Sermon over the last 3 games:
🔥 70 carries
🔥 636 yards
🔥 36 first downs + TDspic.twitter.com/oipTvdX6IY— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 10, 2021
On the surface, Alabama ranking thirteenth in the country in yards per game allowed looks really good considering Clemson was sixteenth. However, a deeper look at the stats shows that Alabama gives up more yards per rush than Clemson. In fact, Alabama actually gives up a little more per rush than Ohio State does. This could mean a huge opportunity for running back Trey Sermon and the Buckeyes.
The Alabama defense was used to having huge leads. This allowed it to focus on rushing the passer as teams were forced to be one-dimensional to play catch up. The passing game has a chance to be a huge part of this one for the Buckeyes, but as long as they don’t get overwhelmed by an early onslaught by Alabama, Trey Sermon could have a huge day to keep things balanced.
NEXT…Justin Fields needs to be Justin Fields
Justin Fields needs to come up big through the air
QB grades in the College Football Playoff
🔸 Justin Fields, Ohio State – 92.9
🔸 Mac Jones, Alabama – 84.0
🔸Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – 62.4
🔸Ian Book, Notre Dame – 55.4 pic.twitter.com/pdH24aK5PG— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2021
For all of the talk surrounding Patrick Surtain at cornerback for Alabama, the one flaw in his game is the tendency to lose a good receiver as he runs routes around the field. This small flaw can work to the benefits of Ohio State as Garrett Wilson might be the better matchup with his speed against Surtain. This would leave Chris Olave to run around and cause havoc for Alabama.
Getting Trey Sermon going will help loosen the Alabama defense in the way it plays. Shading a safety to one side or the other would leave Sermon to get into the second level. Should Alabama shart playing the safety down to stop Sermon, Justin Fields will find plays over the top to Wilson or Olave? Fields has to take what the ‘Bama defense gives him, then strike when the opportunity arises as he did against Clemson.
NEXT…The secondary can bend but not break
Ohio State has to at least get a few stops in the passing game to slow down the Alabama attack
Shaun Wade wants all the smoke. Will he regret it?#cfbplayoff #cfbplayoffs #cfb #cfbnews pic.twitter.com/KE8Hmhx6Wx
— Lines (@Lines) January 9, 2021
With Shaun Wade saying he wants DeVonta Smith, all of the talk is just how overmatched Wade will be. Personally, I think Wade will get help and a lot of this is gamesmanship. Alabama has a really good offense and should be able to move the ball and score points. What the Buckeyes need to understand is that the Crimson Tide is going to make plays, and that’s okay. Buck up, and get on to the next play and next opportunity.
Much like the Clemson game, the Buckeyes will need to disguise coverage. The confusion from Clemson was evident during the game and caused problems for Trevor Lawrence. It could cause problems for Mac Jones as well. Limiting the big play could help notch this one in the win column much like what we saw in the Sugar Bowl.
NEXT…Haskell Garrett and Tommy Togiai have to be studs
Alabama playing a backup center could spell doom against Garrett and Togiai
Tommy Togiai was the best defender on the field last night for @OhioStateFB – as he's been all season long
🔸Quick Off Ball + Stout + Active
Remember, he only played 7 snaps in the 2019 game vs Clemson. Togiai set the tone & dominated inside last night, 49 quality snaps! pic.twitter.com/Opsm9Wat1N
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 2, 2021
With Alabama playing backup center Chris Owens, it could be time for Tommy Togiai and Haskell Garrett to feast up this middle. That is, of course, as long as both are available. If they are, should both of the defensive tackles get through Owens consistently, it will cause problems for Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Jones is less of a mobile quarterback than Trevor Lawrence, and while he does well to take a hit and make a throw, his ability to escape is not where Lawrence’s is.
This matchup could be the biggest key to the game no matter who is playing for the Buckeyes. Alabama has a great offense, but getting to Jones will have a huge impact on OSU’s ability to win the game. OSU should be able to mix in some blitz packages that help take advantage of the backup center.
NEXT…Ryan Day preparation
Ryan Day has to continue to pull the right strings
Just in case anyone forgot Ryan Day is 23-1 as the Head Coach @OhioStateFB
— Tom Hicks (@Uncle_Tom_Hicks) January 10, 2021
The one loss Ryan Day has as a head coach came against the team Ohio State just enjoyed a little redemption from. There were very few people who thought Day would be able to outcoach Dabo Swinney, but that’s exactly what occurred. The gameplan was perfectly diagnosed to go against what Clemson offered.
Day has proven to be an outstanding coach, and it seems like every time the Buckeyes aren’t perfect, he has the answer to adjust. Day should be able to look at the flaws within Alabama and force the Crimson Tide to make adjustments. It’s the game within the game, and Day has been lights out so far in that department. He’ll need to be even better in this one.
Urban Meyer makes his pick between Ohio State and Alabama for the CFP title
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