Moneyline, betting picks, predictions and how to watch live streaming coverage of the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 11.
CFP National Championship | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami, Florida
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Ohio State
PointsBet line: Alabama -8
PointsBet total: 75.5
ATL: Bama -5.6
8:00p EST | ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 1 Alabama will open as the favorite to beat No. 3 Ohio State and win this year’s national title, but both sets of coaches are bracing for an exciting encounter here at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The Crimson Tide (12-0) enter this game aiming to lift their 6th title under coach Nick Saban.
In a season that was full of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, Alabama secured its place in the College Football Playoff championship after knocking off No. 4 Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One on Jan. 1.
“Our team has shown a lot of maturity and perseverance throughout the season,” Saban said. “We told our players basically the team that shows the maturity to be able to handle disruptions is going to have the best chance to be successful in the end, and consistency in performance is always a key to success, and that perseverance has shown up in the way we’ve been able to play with consistency.”
The Buckeyes (7-0), meanwhile, had their own share of disturbance after their season started late and they only managed to play six regular-season games before beating No. 2 Clemson in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Many, including Clemson coach Dabo Swinney didn’t think Ohio State should have been given a berth in CFP playoffs because of its limited number of games played this season.
However, after taking care of the Tigers in their semifinals, the feeling has somewhat changed among the critics.
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris, who also finished in the top five in Heisman voting, are expected to be the main danger for Alabama on offense.
The Buckeyes will be mindful.
“This is a great offense. It is a complete offense,” Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs said.
“They have great players, but they also have a great scheme and they understand how to attack defenses. People have tried numerous different things against them, and they always have an answer.”
For Ohio State, quarterback Justin Fields, who seemed to have recovered from a brutal hit to the side in the second quarter of the Buckeyes’ semifinal victory over the Tigers, will be hoping to replicate his semifinal performance.
The likes of running backs Trey Sermon and Master Teague III and wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are also expected to lead the way for the Buckeyes.
