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The College Football Playoff national championship game is Monday with No. 1 Alabama and No. 3 Ohio State kicking off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
While the Buckeyes are playing for their second championship in the current playoff system - Ohio State won it all in 2014-15, the playoff's inaugural season - the Crimson Tide are looking for their third title in six seasons after winning in 2015-16 and 2017-18.
As of Thursday afternoon, Alabama is a 7.5-point favorite, and the game's under/over is 74.5, according to BetMGM.
Last week, we incorrectly predicted college football would get the fifth installment of the Alabama-Clemson playoff rivalry, but we're carrying on with more predictions. This time, however, we're making and explaining bold predictions for Alabama's and Ohio State's offenses and defenses, as well as the final score and champ.
© Provided by For The Win Trey Sermon, DeVonta Smith (USA TODAY Sports, Getty Images)
College Football Playoff national championship game: Offense
Alabama bold prediction: DeVonta Smith breaks the CFP championship game receiving yards record. Smith would need 222 yards to beat the mark set by LSU's Ja'Marr Chase (221 yards) in last year's championship game. The latest Heisman Trophy winner has already had more than 200 yards twice this season and could Monday versus a shaky Ohio State secondary.
Ohio State bold prediction: Trey Sermon rushes for 200 yards. It looks like the Ohio State senior running back is hitting his stride (literally) at the perfect time, rushing for 524 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games combined. Against Clemson and one of the best defenses in the country, he was just seven yards shy of hitting the 200 mark. He's carried the Buckeyes to victory before, and - especially if quarterback Justin Fields isn't 100 percent - he might have to do it again.
College Football Playoff national championship game: Defense
Alabama bold prediction: Alabama slows down Justin Fields and Ohio State's passing attack. Fields put up 385 yards and six touchdowns in the semifinal upset, but he also injured himself after taking a vicious hit to the ribcage. With Fields possibly not being at 100 percent, expect Alabama to pressure the QB early and often. We saw against Northwestern that pressure and turnovers could force the Buckeyes to become one-dimensional, relying on Trey Sermon and Master Teague III in the run game.
Ohio State bold prediction: Defense contains Najee Harris. Averaging 115.6 yards and two touchdowns per game, the Alabama running back seems unstoppable - especially when he makes hurdling defenders look so easy. But the Buckeyes' rushing defense is No. 2 in the nation, allowing just 89.1 yards per game, and it's given up eight rushing touchdowns in seven games. Harris is still a force and may get his two touchdowns, but for this extra bold prediction, he won't break 100 yards.
College Football Playoff national championship game: Winner
Alabama bold prediction: Alabama wins, 35-27. Alabama will take control of the game early by attacking Ohio State's vulnerable secondary with Smith, John Metchie and possibly a returning Jaylen Waddle, who's a game-day decision, per ESPN. Justin Fields not being at 100 percent will cause the Buckeyes to struggle to get the ball downfield, forcing them to rely more on the run game. Expect a strong fight from the Buckeyes but not enough to overcome an early Crimson Tide lead.
Ohio State bold prediction: Ohio State wins, 42-34. These two high-powered offenses are among the top-6 in the nation and comfortably average more than 500 yards per game. With superstar quarterbacks Mac Jones and Justin Fields leading the way against the just-OK defenses, these teams could produce a high-scoring shootout that will hit the over.
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