Alabama Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win in 2021 national title game

3. Ohio State was without several key players before the game started

Before both teams stepped onto the field, the Ohio State Buckeyes were without two critical players. Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and defensive end Tyreke Smith were both out due to COVID-19 concerns. In the first series of the game, Trey Sermon broke his collar bone and missed the rest of the game to make matters worse.

Sermon was a key factor in their game-plan. One of the ways Ohio State was going to attempt to win the game was to run Sermon and take some of the air out of the ball. Without their leading rusher, the Buckeyes running game suffered, and the combination of Master Teague, Marcus Crowley and Justin Fields could not replace the production Sermon brought to the table.

Fields clearly was bothered by the hard shot taken against Clemson and another hard hit taken again versus Alabama.

The Crimson Tide were not without their injury issues. Jaylen Waddle did play but was limited because of ankle surgery. Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith was hurt and did not return to the game. Quarterback Mac Jones hurt his leg but stayed in the game and played through the injury.

In the end, the injuries suffered by the Buckeyes against an Alabama team clicking on all cylinders were too much to overcome.