The Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0) and Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) square off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., Monday at 8 p.m. ET in the CFP National Championship. Below, we analyze the Ohio State-Alabama National Championship betting odds and lines, with college football picks and predictions.
Also see: CFP National Championship betting predictions with Jason McIntyre
Alabama vs. Ohio State: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at noon ET.
- Money line: Alabama -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Ohio State +245 (bet $100 to win $245)
- Against the spread/ATS: Alabama -8.5 (-110) | Ohio State +8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 74.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Special National Championship Betting Promotion!
Bet $1 on either Ohio State or Alabama‘s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) IF either team scores a touchdown. Offer available in CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free first-bet offer. MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon — take advantage of early registration promotions!
New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM. Bet now!
Alabama vs. Ohio State: Three things to know
- Alabama posted 49.7 points per game to rank second in the nation, and they checked in fifth in the country in both total yards per game (543.9) and passing yards per game (354.1). QB Mac Jones threw for a school record 4,036 passing yards, and Heisman Trophy WR DeVonta Smith was on the receiving end for 105 receptions, 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide could welcome back WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle). He had 25 receptions for 557 yards and four touchdowns in his first four games before he was injured on the opening kickoff against Tennessee on Oct. 24.
- There were reports this game could be pushed back to Jan. 18 due to player availability concerns for Ohio State stemming from COVID-19 issues, but OSU, Alabama and the SEC are all planning to play Monday, Jan. 11. Big Ten officials are the only ones to raise concerns about the Buckeyes playing at this point due to a potential shortage of personnel.
- The last time these teams played, Ohio State dropped Alabama 42-35 in the 2014-15 Sugar Bowl before topping Oregon in the National Championship. Alabama is looking for its first title since pushing past Georgia in a 26-23 overtime win Jan. 8, 2018.
Alabama vs. Ohio State: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Alabama 45, Ohio State 34
Money line (ML)
Alabama (-300) will cost you three times your potential return, and that’s just too risky for me. There is just no value there, so look to the spread instead. PASS.
Against the spread (ATS)
ALABAMA -8.5 (-110) is a machine on offense, as the Jones to Smith connection has been amazing. If the Crimson Tide are able to get Waddle back into the mix, too, that’s going to be too much for Ohio State to handle.
The Buckeyes offense looked amazing in topping Clemson in the national semifinal. RB Trey Sermon ran wild, QB Justin Fields displayed pinpoint accuracy and the defense did its job. Ohio State also entered with a chip on its shoulder, as it felt disrespected by Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney, who ranked them No. 11 due to a lack of games played.
‘Bama head coach Nick Saban isn’t giving them anything to feel disrespected about, although his daughter might need her phone taken away. She offered an opinion that the COVID-19 concerns for the Buckeyes were fabricated in order to give Fields some extra time to recover from a mid-body injury.
The Tide will “roll” up huge points on offense, and the Buckeyes will fade in the second half. Back Alabama to win by at least 9 points.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 74.5 (-115) is worth a play outdoors on the fast track at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida. The weather will be nice, and conditions optimum for the two sides to show off their speed. Both sides have plenty of speed to burn.
It will be an entertaining, and high-scoring first half, so betting OVER 37.5 (-130) on the first half line is certainly warranted, too.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]