We’re just a few days away from watching the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Alabama Crimson Tide throw it down at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, as they battle for college football supremacy. The Buckeyes were the first team to win the national title in the College Football Playoff era, while the Crimson Tide have won twice since the CFP became the selecting organization in 2015. With both teams stacked with talent, it can be hard to predict a winner, but allow the following experts to help you decide.
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Expert Picks and Predictions for the Ohio State Buckeyes vs Alabama Crimson Tide 2021 NCAA Football National Championship Game
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Garden
When: Monday, January 11, 2021, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Ohio State Buckeyes (+7.5) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (-7.5) – view all 2021 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
ESPN
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, which is basically a computer-generated model that takes into account several different factors, Alabama has a 62.6 percent of winning the 2021 National Championship Game. It’s not a surprising prediction, considering that Alabama has always been a powerhouse in college football. Alabama is always considered a title favorite, especially since Nick Saban took over the program in 2007.
| Expert | Pick |
| ESPN’s Football Power Index | Alabama |
Heavy.com
Interestingly, heavy.com is leaning towards Alabama to win the title game. Although heavy noted that the Buckeyes’ defensive line could make life hard for Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones, it should be said that Ohio State finished the regular season just 64th overall with a 6.57 defensive sack percentage, while Alabama is 20th in terms of offensive sack percentage (4.28). Plus, Trevor Lawrence still managed to toss 400 yards in the Clemson Tigers’ loss to Ohio State in the CFP semifinals.
| Expert | Pick |
| heavy.com | Alabama |
College Football News
For Pete Fiutak of College Football News, it’s going to be Ohio State’s day on January 11. Although he prefaced his prediction by saying he could always change his prediction, he believes that the Buckeyes’ combination of respectable defense and explosive offense will spell trouble for Alabama.
| Expert | Pick |
| Pete Fiutak | Alabama |
Action Network
For the staff of Action Network, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will take home the victory to Tuscaloosa. However, it’s not going to be easy for Alabama, with Justin Fields and Trey Sermond heading the charge for the Buckeyes, who finished the regular season second overall with an average of 43.4 points per game. The Action Network thinks that Saban will be taking notes from Ohio State’s close 42-35 win over the Indiana Hoosiers, who were then led by quarterback Michel Penix Jr (491 passing yards, five touchdowns, 1 INT).
| Expert | Pick |
| Action Network Staff | Alabama |
TopBet News Editor – Ryan Simpson
TopBet’s Ryan Simpson simply could not go against picking Alabama. The Crimson Tide are a complete team on both sides of the ball, especially on offense. Alabama has the top quarterback in the nation, the No. 1 receiver, and a top-three running back to go along with a defense that’s allowed just 13.0 points per game in the regular season. On top of those, Alabama is coached by one of the best ever in Nick Saban.
| Expert | Pick |
| Ryan Simpson | Alabama |
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