Well this is the big day, what do we think about the game?

Big legacy stakes on the line here. In addition to the obvious glory of being this year's national champion, an Ohio State win would:

- Tie Ohio State with Alabama and Clemson at two CFP national titles, making the current "dynamic duo" a triumvirate of dominant teams.

- Make Ohio State only the third team (Alabama, LSU) to win 3 national titles during the 2000s.

- Give Ohio State a 6th AP title, breaking a tie with USC and Miami and moving them in to 4th place all-time.

For Alabama, a win would:

- Give them a 3rd CFP title, making them the clear-cut dominant team of the CFP era.

- Extend their all-time lead in AP national titles.

- Give Nick Saban a 13th major bowl win, breaking his tie with Bear Bryant for most ever.

- Give Nick Saban a 7th national title, breaking a tie with Bear Bryant for the most ever.

I think Ohio State will prevail. I just was very impressed with how their offense shredded Clemson and how they kept Trevor Lawrence in check. Beating up on Clemson is just way more impressive than beating up on Notre Dame, IMO, and I continue to have my doubts about the Alabama defense.

Ohio State ............ 33

Alabama ............... 21

Then again, I've been known to be wrong about stuff like this, which is why I never bet on football, LOL.

I have faith Alabama will score more than 21 points. It’ll be a 49-42 type game either way with either team being able to win it, in my opinion.

All of Ohio State's NC coaches have been Ohio natives.

Paul Brown- Norwalk, Ohio
Woodrow Hayes- Clifton, Ohio
Jim Tressel- Mentor, Ohio
Urban Meyer- Toledo, Ohio

Ryan Day- Manchester, NH
Can he?

Wait! Did Quo just pick Ohio St to win?

(01-11-2021 02:21 PM)cubucks Wrote:  All of Ohio State's NC coaches have been Ohio natives.

Paul Brown- Norwalk, Ohio
Woodrow Hayes- Clifton, Ohio
Jim Tressel- Mentor, Ohio
Urban Meyer- Toledo, Ohio

Ryan Day- Manchester, NH
Can he?

That's interesting.

(01-11-2021 02:30 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Wait! Did Quo just pick Ohio St to win?

We have been jinxed!

1. Fields is likely not 100%. I greatly respect his toughness in the Clemson game, but he's vulnerable.

2. The Alabama offense let off the gas against Notre Dame. Not that I believe ND is a bad team, but Bama controlled the game without pressing.

3. The Alabama defense is absolutely suspect. They have been solid at times, but inconsistent. They allowed 353 YPG and are ranked 32nd overall.

4. I wouldn't necessarily say the OSU defense is measurably better though. They have weaknesses in the secondary. OSU allowed 370 YPG and is 41st overall. The Bama defense allowed 27 TDs in 12 games. The OSU defense allowed 19 TDs, but in only 7 games.

5. Speaking of number of games, Ohio State is a little fresher right now.

6. Jaylen Waddle could play a limited role tonight. I doubt he would be 100%, but his ability to stretch the field is unique.

7. The Bama O-line is pretty good and didn't seem to suffer a great deal from losing Dickerson at Center after the Florida game.

8. Trey Sermon is a beast and will be difficult to bring down consistently. That's especially true if Fields shows the ability to take off every now and then.

9. Mac Jones has been better when pressured than Justin Fields. Jones has the highest passing efficiency in the country albeit Fields is 5th.

-----

I think it will be a great game, but I think Bama wins 38-28

(01-11-2021 03:23 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  1. Fields is likely not 100%. I greatly respect his toughness in the Clemson game, but he's vulnerable.

2. The Alabama offense let off the gas against Notre Dame. Not that I believe ND is a bad team, but Bama controlled the game without pressing.

3. The Alabama defense is absolutely suspect. They have been solid at times, but inconsistent. They allowed 353 YPG and are ranked 32nd overall.

4. I wouldn't necessarily say the OSU defense is measurably better though. They have weaknesses in the secondary. OSU allowed 370 YPG and is 41st overall. The Bama defense allowed 27 TDs in 12 games. The OSU defense allowed 19 TDs, but in only 7 games.

5. Speaking of number of games, Ohio State is a little fresher right now.

6. Jaylen Waddle could play a limited role tonight. I doubt he would be 100%, but his ability to stretch the field is unique.

7. The Bama O-line is pretty good and didn't seem to suffer a great deal from losing Dickerson at Center after the Florida game.

8. Trey Sermon is a beast and will be difficult to bring down consistently. That's especially true if Fields shows the ability to take off every now and then.

9. Mac Jones has been better when pressured than Justin Fields. Jones has the highest passing efficiency in the country albeit Fields is 5th.

-----

I think it will be a great game, but I think Bama wins 38-28

Best of luck to Alabama tonight.

(01-11-2021 03:23 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  1. Fields is likely not 100%. I greatly respect his toughness in the Clemson game, but he's vulnerable.

2. The Alabama offense let off the gas against Notre Dame. Not that I believe ND is a bad team, but Bama controlled the game without pressing.

3. The Alabama defense is absolutely suspect. They have been solid at times, but inconsistent. They allowed 353 YPG and are ranked 32nd overall.

4. I wouldn't necessarily say the OSU defense is measurably better though. They have weaknesses in the secondary. OSU allowed 370 YPG and is 41st overall. The Bama defense allowed 27 TDs in 12 games. The OSU defense allowed 19 TDs, but in only 7 games.

5. Speaking of number of games, Ohio State is a little fresher right now.

6. Jaylen Waddle could play a limited role tonight. I doubt he would be 100%, but his ability to stretch the field is unique.

7. The Bama O-line is pretty good and didn't seem to suffer a great deal from losing Dickerson at Center after the Florida game.

8. Trey Sermon is a beast and will be difficult to bring down consistently. That's especially true if Fields shows the ability to take off every now and then.

9. Mac Jones has been better when pressured than Justin Fields. Jones has the highest passing efficiency in the country albeit Fields is 5th.

-----

I think it will be a great game, but I think Bama wins 38-28

...and my numbers have Alabama at (-13).

(01-11-2021 03:28 PM)cubucks Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 03:23 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  1. Fields is likely not 100%. I greatly respect his toughness in the Clemson game, but he's vulnerable.

2. The Alabama offense let off the gas against Notre Dame. Not that I believe ND is a bad team, but Bama controlled the game without pressing.

3. The Alabama defense is absolutely suspect. They have been solid at times, but inconsistent. They allowed 353 YPG and are ranked 32nd overall.

4. I wouldn't necessarily say the OSU defense is measurably better though. They have weaknesses in the secondary. OSU allowed 370 YPG and is 41st overall. The Bama defense allowed 27 TDs in 12 games. The OSU defense allowed 19 TDs, but in only 7 games.

5. Speaking of number of games, Ohio State is a little fresher right now.

6. Jaylen Waddle could play a limited role tonight. I doubt he would be 100%, but his ability to stretch the field is unique.

7. The Bama O-line is pretty good and didn't seem to suffer a great deal from losing Dickerson at Center after the Florida game.

8. Trey Sermon is a beast and will be difficult to bring down consistently. That's especially true if Fields shows the ability to take off every now and then.

9. Mac Jones has been better when pressured than Justin Fields. Jones has the highest passing efficiency in the country albeit Fields is 5th.

-----

I think it will be a great game, but I think Bama wins 38-28

Best of luck to Alabama tonight.

Good luck to you all as well. I really do think it will be a great game.

Ohio St.'s defensive line looked very good against Clemson. But with what I've seen, I'd say Alabama 45 Ohio St. 31. I've seen Ohio St. 3 times and against Indiana 2nd half and Northwestern, they were very unimpressive. Alabama's only weakness is their secondary. Fields is good enough to score on them on a good night. But he is sometimes inconsistent.

What game?

(01-11-2021 03:05 PM)cubucks Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 02:30 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Wait! Did Quo just pick Ohio St to win?

We have been jinxed!

That may have been his plan!

Togiai and Smith out from Ohio State defensive line due to covid. Both kickers are out too. Not what I wanted to hear but NEXT MAN UP!!!

(01-11-2021 07:05 PM)cubucks Wrote:  Togiai and Smith out from Ohio State defensive line due to covid. Both kickers are out too. Not what I wanted to hear but NEXT MAN UP!!!

Master Teague is back though. He's good.

(01-11-2021 07:05 PM)cubucks Wrote:  Togiai and Smith out from Ohio State defensive line due to covid. Both kickers are out too. Not what I wanted to hear but NEXT MAN UP!!!

Ouch. Hope you have a bunch of good non-scholarship kickers. Would hate to see a team lose for that reason.

(01-11-2021 07:17 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 07:05 PM)cubucks Wrote:  Togiai and Smith out from Ohio State defensive line due to covid. Both kickers are out too. Not what I wanted to hear but NEXT MAN UP!!!

Master Teague is back though. He's good.

Along with Harrison and Friday on defense, they were out in the Sugar Bowl. I do love watching Togiai play and disappointed I can't see him tonight. But hey, no excuses and next man up! That's why you come to Ohio State and why the "experts" placed all those stars next to your name in high school.

(01-11-2021 07:18 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(01-11-2021 07:05 PM)cubucks Wrote:  Togiai and Smith out from Ohio State defensive line due to covid. Both kickers are out too. Not what I wanted to hear but NEXT MAN UP!!!

Ouch. Hope you have a bunch of good non-scholarship kickers. Would hate to see a team lose for that reason.

Lol, I have no idea who will kick? I'm sure there is a young kicker out there warming up right now wearing a Depends diaper, nerves can do crazy things to your digestive system.