National Championship Game, Alabama vs. Ohio State: First-look preview, odds, TV, streaming, prediction

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide will play the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 National Championship game as a part of the College Football Playoff.

We did not expect this to be the pairing, but a national championship game between the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0) and the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) is exactly what we will get.

Alabama football fans have known for a while they have the best team in the land. Though the Crimson Tide has been challenged at times, they have the look as one of the greatest teams in college football history. As for Ohio State football fans, they have to be ecstatic about stomping the No. 2 Clemson Tigers in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day night for everyone to see.

2021 National Championship: Alabama vs. Ohio State date, time, odds, TV, streaming info

Date: Monday, Jan. 11
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
Betting Odds: Alabama -7
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Kickoff from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida will be at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 11. ESPN will have the national telecast of the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The available live stream can be found on WatchESPN. Alabama opens as a seven-point favorite over Ohio State on a neutral site, per Circa Sports.

This will be Justin Fields‘ last game in a college uniform, and almost certainly the last one Mac Jones plays in either. Fields will be one of the first three quarterbacks taken in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. Jones will either win the Heisman Trophy or finish as runner-up to his teammate in wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Both Jones and Smith are likely to go in the first round as well.

What ESPN is hoping for is a closer game than the two national semifinal games gave us. Everybody expected Alabama would blow out the No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but few outside of Columbus saw Ohio State give it to the No. 2 Clemson Tigers this badly. While we may not get a one-score game, there is a great chance this will be one of the most watched title bouts of late.

Look for Fields to flex his muscles in the passing game for the Buckeyes, as they will keep pace with the high-octane offense of Alabama. Jones and Smith and will connect on at least three touchdown passes. What will be the key is Ohio State eventually having to settle for a field goal before a pair of late turnovers ultimately tip the scales forever in Alabama’s favor.

Prediction: Alabama 42, Ohio State 31

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