We have finally made it. The College Football Playoff National Championship game has arrived. After years of relying on AP writers to decide the National Champion, and computers deciding who gets into the FBS National Championship game we have come down to thew first ever playoff championship game. The first ever CFB Playoffs have not disappointed. We got to see Ohio State take on powerhouse Alabama, and defending champs Florida State take on one of the most popular teams in Oregon. These two games were the two most watched television broadcasts of all time. The Oregon/Florida State game brought in 28.2 million viewers and the Alabama/Ohio State game brought in 28.3 million viewers. Personally, I hope this helps the expansion to 8 teams, and even up to 16 teams. 16 teams would be the maximum I'd want to see. It's time to focus on the National Championship game played tonight at 7:30 on ESPN.
Oregon (-6) vs Ohio State
There couldn't be a more evenly matched National Championship than this one tonight. Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes look to win their 8th national championship in school history, while the Oregon Ducks look to win their 1st national championship in school history. Both teams are in the Top 5 in scoring (Oregon - 47.2, Ohio State - 45), they are very almost dead even in points allowed (Oregon - 22.3, Ohio State - 22.1), but the big difference between the two teams in the passing game. Oregon averages 311 passing yards per game while Ohio State averages 247.5 yards per game. They are almost equal in the amount of the plays averaged per game with Oregon averaging 77 and Ohio State averaging 74, so this could come down to who has the better conditioned defense.
Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota, is 3rd in the country in passing yards, 2nd in passing touchdowns, 1st in passing efficiency, and 1st in points responsible for. Mariota and the Ducks are hard to stop on the offensive side of the ball. Despite that, they will have to go up against an Ohio State team that is 4th in passing defense efficiency. The Buckeyes average 3 sacks per game, and the Ducks allow 2 sack per game. Oregon's offensive line will have to be at its best tonight, because Ohio State is going to be gunning for Mariota.
When it comes to the running game Ohio State has the advantage. Ezekiel Elliott will be a key factor for the Buckeyes. Elliott averaged 11.5 yards and had two touchdowns against an Alabama team that is 4th is rushing defense. I think Ohio State will look to be run happy against an Oregon rushing defense that is ranked 49th in the nation.
Cardale Jones is only a freshman and making his third start in his college career. Jones has shown signs of being a great quarterback with a lot of future potential, but I'm not totally sold on him against just yet. Oregon won't have to worry much about Jones running the ball, but I wouldn't rule it out completely. I'm sure Urban Meyer has been working on plays that has Jones plowing through defenses with his 6'5 250lb frame, especially in goal line and one yard plays.
Urban Meyer is one of the best coaches in college football, maybe even the best. If Ohio State were to win tonight, then he could arguably go down as the greatest college football coach that is currently coaching, even better than Nick Saban.
Tonight looks to be the biggest night in college football's history to date. The Oregon Ducks are a 6 point favorite against the Ohio State Buckeyes. These teams are pretty even except one team excels in passing (Oregon) whereas another team excels more in rushing (Ohio State). If both teams show up ready to play, and I think they will, then this will be a very close game with a lot of scoring. I think Oregon wins, but by only 2 points with a score of 41-39.
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