College Football National Championship: 5 keys to victory for Alabama vs. Ohio State

Alabama key to victory No. 3: Limit penetration

The flip side of the Crimson Tide defensive line needing to control the trenches on Monday night is that their offensive line needs to be at their best. Of course, this is a unit that won the Joe Moore Award, handed out to the best offensive line in college football. However, they’ll have their hands full given what the Buckeyes defensive front has shown as of late.

Haskell Garrett, Jonathon Cooper, Tyreke Smith and the rest of the Ohio State defensive line have really come into their own down the stretch this season. They were a force to be reckoned with against Clemson, not only consistently getting after Trevor Lawrence but also managing to completely shut down Travis Etienne and the rushing attack.

For as good as Najee Harris is, the Crimson Tide don’t necessarily need him to be a dominant force in the rushing attack to be successful offensively. They have enough advantages through the air. Having said that, if Bama is unable to consistently give Jones time to look downfield, that’s where issues could arise for the Tide on that side of the ball.

Not having Landon Dickerson at center could be costly for Alabama in this matchup with the strength of the Buckeyes front, though veteran Chris Owens has filled in quite well. Having said that, Owens and the rest of the stalwart line for the Crimson Tie will face their toughest task yet on Monday and, to be successful, they must rise to the occasion once more.