Okay, it is National Championship prediction time. It has been quite the road for both of these teams to get here. At times, theyve both been counted out. Oregon certainly was dismissed after their loss to Arizona. And yet, that defeat simply motivated them to sharpen their game, and they ran the table from there. (Including impressive wins in the revenge match against Arizona for the Pac-12 Championship and a 59-20 smashing of a Florida State squad in the Rose Bowl, even though they insisted the Ducks really didnt win). Anyone (as stated in these comments before) who said Mark Helfrich couldnt fill Chip Kellys shoes, owes him an immediate apology. Immense credit must also be given to Ohio State. Urban Meyer has done a masterful job wherever hes been coaching, but this year might be his finest hour (regardless of what happens in this one). Being forced to win with your backup is one thing. Your third-stringer (albeit a very impressive one in Cardale Jones) is quite another. The way the Buckeyes beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl is nothing to sneeze at. So what to expect in Dallas for all the marbles? Plenty of offense. Theres no question that Oregons Marcus Mariota is the best quarterback in this game, which is why he won the Heisman (and why hell be the more pro-ready draft pick than that Winston fella). Their running game has certainly been bolstered another notch with the return of Thomas Tyner to complement Royce Freeman. And, to address the nagging question out there, the Ducks will be fine without Darren Carrington at receiver. Keenan Lowe, Charles Nelson, and Byron Marshall have more than proven theyre up to the task. The Buckeyes also have a spread attack that is very effective. They may not run it at the same high-octane tempo as Oregon, but Ohio State can still put up points in bunches. In addition to the threat of Jones at quarterback, you cant take your eye off their running back Ezekiel Elliott. Theyre also loaded with receivers in their own right. So really this game could come down to which defensive coordinator draws up a better game plan to force the correct amount of turnovers or come up with the big sack. Luke Fickells reputation as Ohio States DC is well-deserved. But dont count out Oregons Don Pellum. His defense was certainly a work-in-progress during the a good portion of the year, but they seem to have put it together at the right time. Just look at what the Ducks did in the Pac-12 Championship and in the Rose Bowl. That being said, whats going to happen? For the final time of this college football season, do NOT wager any rent, mortgage, electrical, or other utility bill money on any of my prognostications. Having made that statement, history will be made on Monday in more ways than one. This is the first championship game in the College Football Playoff format. It is also going to be Helfrichs first national title game as a head coach. Theres also this digit that has been nagging Oregon fans a long time: zero. Thats the number of times that the Ducks have won a national championship. Its also the amount of times Oregon has beaten Ohio State. Well, having observed this team all year, these guys are on a mission to capture a prize in a manner previously never seen. Too soft as they are often described? They took down the bully teams like Michigan State, Stanford, Utah, and Florida State when they had to convincingly. This squad may be faster than ever, but theyve got something not seen in recent years: the ability to play physical. Theyll push back when they have to. Thats why those two areas with zeros will be replaced with ones when this matchup is over with. Itll be a battle, but Oregon is going to make at least two more plays Ohio State wont. Heres my pick: Ducks 42, Buckeyes 31. Oregon will win its first natty, Mariota will end his college career in style, and their many detractors will need a Pepto Bismol. #UOvsOSU #CFBPlayoff
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:23:04 +0000
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