Alabama vs. Ohio State Spread Prediction
The Alabama Crimson Tide opened as 7-point favorites against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Monday night’s National Championship Game but the line has moved up to 8.5 at most books. Will the Tide cover that number or will the Buckeyes cash again as an underdog?
Game Snapshot
499 Ohio State Buckeyes (+8.5) at 500 Alabama Crimson Tide (-8.5); o/u 75
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
8:00 p.m. ET, Monday, January 11, 2021
TV: ESPN
Ohio State Buckeyes Game Notes
Ohio State redshirt sophomore RB Master Teague III will not play on Friday in the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State. He’s not the only player that Ohio State will be missing. Sophomore defensive end Zach Harrison, junior defensive end Tyler Friday and sophomore left guard Harry Miller have all been ruled out for the semifinal game. Teague picked up an injury — reportedly a concussion but not confirmed yet by Ohio State — in the Big 10 Championship Game against Northwestern. Trey Sermon is coming off a monster 331 yards in that game, and will certainly be the bellcow again on Friday against the Tigers.
Alabama Crimson Tide Game Notes
Alabama redshirt sophomore QB Mac Jones was named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. In his first full season as Alabama’s starting quarterback, Jones (6’3/214) had an outstanding regular season and is one win away from a national championship. Entering the Crimson Tide’s January 11 matchup with Ohio State, the redshirt sophomore has completed 77.0% of his passes and thrown for 4,036 yards and 36 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Jones, along with teammate DeVonta Smith, is also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy with the winner of that award to be announced on Tuesday.
Ohio State vs. Alabama Betting Prediction
The Crimson Tide are 7-2 against the spread in their last nine games overall, are 7-1 against the number in their last eight games following an ATS loss and are 6-1 at the betting window in their last seven games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. On the other side, the Buckeyes are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five games against a team with a winning record, are 1-6 against the number in their last seven games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game and are 1-5 at the betting window in their last six games following a win of more than 20 points.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SPREAD PREDICTION: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE -8.5