Alabama Football: 3 Reasons why The Tide will beat Ohio State
By Andrew Tineo
Alabama football’s exposure of Ohio State’s below average pass defense
Ohio State’s defense has been a stable of consistency and has been good against respectable competition. The defensive backs at Ohio State has produced some of the best stars in the NFL.
There was questions as to if Ohio State could limit Clemson. The Buckeyes proved their worth when they held Clemson’s offense to just 28 points.
Even with giving up the before mentioned 400 yards, Ohio State made clutch stops and completely shut out Clemson’s run game. Travis Etienne may go down as Clemson’s running back in school history. He was silenced to just 32 yards on 10 carries, after averaging well over 100 yards per game.
Ohio State will have to go from one school legend to another with the Buckeyes focusing on Najee Harris. The former Top 10 Recruit has become everything Crimson Tide fans hope for and then some. He became an internet sensation during the CFP Semi-Final. He rushed for 125 yards on 15 carries, but was headlined by one specific play.
THIS NAJEE HARRIS HURDLE 😱 #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/3qiYJq9wPi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2021
Alabama’s offense is on another level compared to Clemson. Nick Saban’s Ferrari of an offense took nearly all of the hardware over the past week. Of the seven national offensive awards, an Alabama player took six of them. The lone player not from Alabama that won an award was Kyle Pitts, with the Mackey Award.
Ohio State has had rather less than stellar performances from the secondary in particular. CB Shaun Wade has given up the second most TD’s of any DB this season with six. They have also given up 400 passing yards on two separate occasions (Indiana and Clemson).
That doesn’t bode well for an offense with Smith, Metchie, and potentially Waddle. Ohio State might be able to hold Harris in check, but will more than likely struggle with Alabama’s wide receiving core. It would take career games from Wade, Marcus Hooker, and Sevyn Banks to limit them.
“If there is a weakness with this team, it’s their defense. And more specifically, their secondary.”@JoelKlatt breaks down where Ohio State’s defense needs to be sharp in order to beat Clemson in the CFP Semifinal ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gYQE3JXTu9
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 1, 2021
A big reason as to why Alabama will win is because of the receivers having a big day against Ohio State’s secondary.