CFP Title Game, Alabama vs tOSU, Jan 11, 8:15 ET on ESPN, Miami

[bukIpower]

Yup. Hard to know which Bama defense is the real one. The one who’s shut down some decent but not great offenses or the one that got lit up by every Top 10 offense it’s played.

The first potent offense they shut down this year will be the first one... sure they look amazing vs shit opponents but when the talent level goes up they don't seem to do too well.

Tried looking for articles on the interwebs to answer this, but no dice:

What, if any, are the deficiencies of the Alabama squad? Or at least, what areas might the Buckeyes be able to have an advantage?

This isn't to say that I don't find the Buckeyes to be a fantastic team, but instead, I've heard so much pants creaming about Bama that I honestly don't know much about them.

On defense from what I can tell...

Big and strong DL but not overly athletic. They don't have quite the pass rush but they're hard to move. That said they still have given up the run more so than years past. They have 1 really good LB but the others seem to be just okay. They have from what I recall a really good DB but as a group they aren't what they've been. Still prone to giving up plays behind the secondary.

On offense very physical which opens up play action pass. They are much like us actually but IMO not as good of an offensive line with their center out now for the year. They'll go 2 tight ends or they'll spread you out. Very good offense but IMO they're very top heavy with most plays being made by Smith or Harris.

 

[bukIpower]

No, it's very possible. We'll have no idea until game night. Just hope they make sure he's safe and he makes the right decision. I thought for sure he had broken ribs, but I was also sure he tore his ACL and MCL against TTUN last season.

Getting into the playoffs was gravy, beating Clemson like that in this type of year was an all time win. Everyone wants to beat Bama, but with Fields either unable to run or not play at all, it's going to be that much tougher. Once again just glad they have a shot.

Last year and in the Clemson game though JF has proven he doesnt need to run to beat you. In fact he's probably only ran for more than 50 yards in a game a handful of times. He should use his legs more but typically he's never had to.

 

[bukIpower]

Smith is the best WR this year that's no dispute. Olave is a very very polished WR in his own right; both will have great careers in the NFL.

Devontae's best attribute is not his speed. However, he is fast enough to blow by corners and safeties. Scouts project him to run somewhere in the low 4.5s or high 4.4s.

His footwork and route running are extremely good. He has a lot of wiggle in him. That's how he creates separation. I watched a lot of his film and there is hardly any weakness in his game.

Olave is a smoother route runner with decent speed as well. I see a lot of similarities between the two but Devontae is a little bit more "twitchy" than Olave.

To be honest it really doesn't matter if Alabama has more talented WRs. The WRs don't go up against each other.

The question is if Alabama's DBs can cover our receivers. And I have a feeling that the answer is no. If Justin Field's has time to survey the field I don't think anyone in this country can cover our receivers AND our TEs both. Someone will be open.

Sorry for all the posts I'm just excited for the game lol...

The big difference for me is what would Alabama do if we slowed down Smith? Maybe Alabama slows down Olave but we still have Wilson/JSN/Williams.

Give me our depth over their 1 superstar all day.

 

[Drubuck]

My only feeling leading up to this. Not sure how I'll survive the work week and Monday.

 

[lightyears2012]

Anyone take the time to multiply the opportunities for Wilson/Olave and Smith? Not saying he’s not great but both our guys would be WAY up there in yards with 12 games under their belts. And give me the Zeke-like hot hand of Sermon over any runningback in the country right now!

 

[jwinslow]

Big and strong DL but not overly athletic. They don't have quite the pass rush but they're hard to move. That said they still have given up the run more so than years past. They have 1 really good LB but the others seem to be just okay. They have from what I recall a really good DB but as a group they aren't what they've been. Still prone to giving up plays behind the secondary.

On offense very physical which opens up play action pass. They are much like us actually but IMO not as good of an offensive line with their center out now for the year. They'll go 2 tight ends or they'll spread you out. Very good offense but IMO they're very top heavy with most plays being made by Smith or Harris.

1) I'm not sure where you've been recently with the not as good OL for osu.

2) Bama has a pretty good secondary. It's quite good and can make life challenging but also can be beaten consistently by high level performances. Surtain is a great talent who I would rate as very good but not great in his play. Similar to Wade (very good db who plays above average).

Jobe is good but beatable.

Battle is a talented safety who can be disruptive. He has a big advantage lined up on fleming, williams (except on fly routes). He is overmatched against Wilson and Olave. Jaxon and he would be an interesting even match up with varying strengths

3) Alabama has a major weapon in their kick returning tight end, and Metchie is a good WR, better than anyone besides Wilson/Olave. Their other wideouts are not on the same level. It's crazy to look back at how absurd last year's offense was, as Waddle was somewhere between the 5th to 6th best player on that offense.

Naturally if Waddle somehow returns that's a game changer.

What makes Devonta devastating is he combines the run after catch ability of Ted Ginn (albeit without the ludicrous extra gear to shift to), with the feel, hands and operating skills of an elite possession wr.

 

[tillmatic]

https://www.pff.com/news/college-fo...ok-alabama-college-football-playoff-downfield

Good article breaking down how ND could have attacked. Says they're vulnerable over the middle because of average lb play.

"It's also apparent that teams have avoided testing Alabama outside for fear of being caught in Josh, Malachi or Patrick’s web." IDC who they have, I doubt they can cover both Olave and Wilson consistently.

"Alabama’s defense is not the juggernaut unit it has been in the past. We’ve seen it have quite a few bad days this season. It was thought that the unit had fixed the issues that plagued it early in the season, but then along came Florida — which torched the Crimson Tide defense."

Buckeyes have the personnel to hurt them in ways ND couldn't.

 

[bukIpower]

1) I'm not sure where you've been recently with the not as good OL for osu.

2) Bama has a pretty good secondary. It's quite good and can make life challenging but also can be beaten consistently by high level performances. Surtain is a great talent who I would rate as very good but not great in his play. Similar to Wade (very good db who plays above average).

Jobe is good but beatable.

Battle is a talented safety who can be disruptive. He has a big advantage lined up on fleming, williams (except on fly routes). He is overmatched against Wilson and Olave. Jaxon and he would be an interesting even match up with varying strengths

3) Alabama has a major weapon in their kick returning tight end, and Metchie is a good WR, better than anyone besides Wilson/Olave. Their other wideouts are not on the same level. It's crazy to look back at how absurd last year's offense was, as Waddle was somewhere between the 5th to 6th best player on that offense.

Naturally if Waddle somehow returns that's a game changer.

What makes Devonta devastating is he combines the run after catch ability of Ted Ginn (albeit without the ludicrous extra gear to shift to), with the feel, hands and operating skills of an elite possession wr.

I'm saying their OL is not quite as good.

 

[ScriptOhio]

While approximately 16,000 fans will be able to attend next week's national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, Ohio State won't be selling any tickets to the general public. While the school received an allotment of 3,750 tickets for the game, many of those tickets will go to the guests of players and coaches – each player will receive six tickets – while the remainder are going to students and donors, an Ohio State spokesperson said Sunday.

Who is going to the game?

 

[LovelandBuckeye]

Currently rewatching on BTN. Don’t know if anyone mentioned it last night, but seems like these southern boys are getting a lot of cramps. Weird.

Imagine if they had to play in the South in August/September.

While the school received an allotment of 3,750 tickets for the game, many of those tickets will go to the guests of players and coaches – each player will receive six tickets – while the remainder are going to students and donors, an Ohio State spokesperson said Sunday.

I like this bolded part. I guess donors need something, too.

 

[Bill Lucas]

I'm saying their OL is not quite as good.

You are also underselling the rest of their receivers. Metchie is special and the tight end is really really good.

 

[DZ83CK]

Clearly the way OSU needs to attack Bama is similar to what UF did. Get the ball to the big play receivers downfield, along the sidelines.

 

[bukIpower]

You are also underselling the rest of their receivers. Metchie is special and the tight end is really really good.

Maybe... but if he was that elite to me they wouldnt need Smith to do so much.

As for the TE? It's crazy saying this but... I believe our LBs can handle anyone at TE. A far cry from 2 years ago.

I understand that Alabama has play makers everywhere. Every bit as us even.

However they don't act like a team with depth. It's either #6 or #22 when they probably don't need to be so reliant on them.

You'd think we would double #6 and clog the running games to try and slow them down. At all costs though we need to control their running game.

What we have proven is we can win by 3+ scores even when we give up 400 yards passing provided we keep them from running for 100. Same applies here.

 

[Zander42]

... our receivers AND our TEs both. Someone will be open.

Love seeing this said non-ironically!

 

[ScriptOhio]

Prior to the final selection of teams by the CFP Committee (almost) everyone was saying Alabama and Clemson are heads above everyone else. Well, Ohio State thumped Clemson and appears to be fairly close (at least statistically) to Alabama in many categories.