For the sixth time since 2009, the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide were crowned college football’s national champions, defeating the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24 on Monday.
Alabama closed out the season 13-0 while Ohio State finished the year 7-1. The Buckeyes played just five regular season games due to the combination of a late start to the season and OSU having three games canceled due to the coronavirus.
Throughout the season, Alabama rarely found itself in close matchups. Just one of Alabama’s 13 games were decided by fewer than 17 points. Once again, the Crimson Tide dominated on both sides of the football.
Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith, coming off a Heisman Trophy nod last week, impressed once again, scoring three touchdowns and beating Ohio State’s secondary deep down field. Smith, however, was injured in the third quarter of Monday's game, and did not return.
Smith’s performance helped pad quarterback Mac Jones’ stats, as the signal caller threw for 464 yards.
While Alabama’s offense cruised, the Buckeyes’ offense sputtered. Not helping matters, OSU star running back Trey Sermon was taken to the hospital after the first Ohio State drive. He did not return.
Alabama avenged its last matchup against Ohio State. The Buckeyes last won a national title in 2015, defeating the Crimson Tide in the inaugural College Football Playoff in that year's semifinal round.
