OK folks, after all that’s occurred this college football season, somehow, someway, Ohio State and Alabama are set to do battle tomorrow night in the College Football Playoff national championship game in south Florida. It’s probably not too surprising that the Crimson Tide are back in the party for the crown, but OSU being there after the season was originally shelved by the Big Ten is a development many didn’t see coming.
If you’re like us, you like to get some perspective on the perception of the Ohio State program from the opposite sideline. Not only with a gaze from a historical side of things, but about the current state of the team.
If so, you’re in luck. We talked to our sister site, Roll Tide Wire, to get Alabama fans’ view on this matchup. Are they worried? Do they think it’s a lock with the ‘Bama being the far superior squad? Inquiring and jealous minds want to know.
Here’s what managing editor Clint Lamb says about where Alabama fans are with this thing.
NEXT … Ohio State from an Alabama sideline
Ohio State from an Alabama fan’s perspective
From Clint Lamb of Roll Tide Wire:
Alabama fans are all too familiar with Ohio State. Whether it’s from the constant battles on the recruiting trails or the 2015 Sugar Bowl, there is a different level of respect for that Buckeyes program. From the standpoint of branding, the argument could be made that this year’s national title game could not have been more perfect.
That alone makes this game worth watching. But Alabama fans also have this obsession with righting wrongs and using the revenge factor as motivation. Of course, that rarely translates to the field with players or coaches, but fans are constantly coming up with creative ways to give games more meaning. With what took place six years ago, that won’t be overly difficult here.
No one gave Ohio State a chance. No one. Yet, the Buckeyes proved that they were clearly the better team en route to a national title. That was the last time Ohio State won a national title, but there are plenty of Alabama fans out there who believe it should’ve been the Buckeyes, and not Clemson, playing LSU to start 2020.
There’s an unknown factor at play with Monday night’s national championship. The limited games and occasional struggle caused Tide fans to push against Ohio State making the College Football Playoff in the first place. With that being said, it’s hard to argue against what everyone witnessed in that Sugar Bowl back on Jan. 1. That was a team that proved it belonged, and it’s one that should have the respect of most Alabama fans.
Do they think Nick Saban will pull off another one? Absolutely, they always do. That doesn’t mean they’re taking the same approach they did back in 2014, though. It’s a lesson most Alabama fans don’t want to have to learn twice. There is always a chance, especially when it’s a team as talented this Ohio State squad.
So, there you have it. This is obviously a huge challenge for OSU. And while there is confidence on the Alabama side, those that love for the Tide to roll know this thing isn’t going to be easy.
We’ll all know for sure around midnight EST Monday when this thing should be close to in the books. By the way, we’ll have more from Roll Tide Wire’s Clint Lamb about this game on Monday.
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