Michael Chen’s National Championship Prediction:
I’m going full homer mode on this one, as an Ohio State alum, how could I go in another direction? The Buckeyes thrive on being the underdogs, 8-1 since 2012, and they’re big-time dogs in this one, 8.5 points according to BetMGM. Nick Saban has a stranglehold on the college football world, but this has 2014 feel to it for me. Watching Zeke Elliott run through defenses is exactly what Trey Sermon is doing right now.
The Crimson Tide offense won’t be stopped, Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris and crew will put up plenty of points. I have a feeling that Justin Fields is healthy enough to keep the Tide defense honest, giving Sermon running lanes and hitting a few explosive plays to Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. This should be an instant classic, two high-level teams trading punches over 4 quarters. The Buckeyes manage to get enough stops to edge this one out.
Ohio State 45, Alabama 42
Last, Nick Shepkowski’s Prediction…