- Go to BetOnline or Bovada for the latest odds on the CFP National Championship
- Alabama opened as 8-point favorites over Ohio State after crushing Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl
- Oddsmakers foresee a high-scoring affair, setting the over-under at 75.5 points
While many questioned whether Ohio State should be in the CFP semifinals after playing only six games all season, the Buckeyes left no doubt they belonged at the New Year’s dance, blasting Clemson 49-28 in the Sugar Bowl.
Ryan Day’s club is still not getting much respect from oddsmakers, however, opening as eight-point dogs to No. 1 Alabama in next Monday’s national championship game. Let’s check out the latest odds and make our predictions.
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CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS
 |
Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Ohio State | +8.0 (-105) | +237 | Ov 75 (-110) |
| Alabama | -8.0 (-115) | -282 | Un 75 (-110) |
ALABAMA VS OHIO STATE
After winning each of its ten regular-season games by 15 points or more, Alabama followed suit in the Rose Bowl with a 31-14 spanking of Notre Dame. Heisman favorite DeVonta Smith caught seven passes for 130 yards and three scores from quarterback Mac Jones, who threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns. Najee Harris added 155 total yards, including an epic hurdle that caught the attention of US women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
The Buckeyes were equally impressive in the Sugar Bowl, stunning the Tigers 49-28 and making Dabo Swinney eat his words. Playing the game of his life, Justin Fields threw for 385 yards with six touchdowns despite taking a vicious shot to the ribs by Clemson linebacker James Skalski in the second quarter.
“Do you have any regrets ranking Ohio State 11th in the coaches poll?”
Dabo Swinney: “No” pic.twitter.com/WKV4jLh7VJ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2021
The health of Fields’ ribs will be a major subplot heading into in College Football Playoff National Championship on January 11, as the dual-threat star may be hesitant to use his legs against an Alabama defense that has struggled against mobile quarterbacks in the past.
CAN THE BUCKEYES COVER?
Competing in the national championship game for the fifth time in six years, Alabama can win its 16th title, the most in the AP poll era, and second-most in college football history. Nick Saban’s club became the first team in SEC history to go 10-0 against conference foes during the regular season, however, they were pushed to the limit in the SEC championship, outlasting No. 7 Florida 52-46.
Ohio State isn’t exactly your traditional underdog though – they are 23-1 under second-year coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes won their last meeting against the Crimson Tide, a 42-35 Sugar Bowl victory in 2015 that precluded the program’s last national championship.
Justin Fields had a point to prove. 😤 pic.twitter.com/eLi0j6eApc
— theScore (@theScore) January 2, 2021
With the game total set at 75 points, oddsmakers expect a shootout in Miami this Monday. After ranking last in the Big Ten in pass defense in the first six games (261.3 yards per contest), Ohio State will have trouble containing Mac Jones and Devonta Smith, but the Fields-Chris Olave connection could be equally as dangerous, as the pair connected for 132 yards and 2 TDs versus Clemson on Friday.
Bama back Najee Harris accounted for 27 touchdowns on the ground in 2020, but Buckeyes graduate transfer Trey Sermon is running just as hot, with 524 rushing yards in the past two games, the most in a two-game stretch by an OSU player in history.
In a national championship battle that promises fireworks, we like Ohio State (+8.0) and the under (75).
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