Alabama vs. Ohio State: Key Odds, Coverage Details for Sugar Bowl 2015
There are several marquee games left on the college football schedule, but few are drawing as much mainstream attention as the 2015 Sugar Bowl battle between the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes.
As one of the two inaugural semifinals matchups in the College Football Playoff, all eyes will be on this game to see if it lives up to the expectations surrounding the postseason change. With two of the best teams in the nation going head-to-head, fans are already getting what they want.
Here is all the vital viewing and betting information college football fans need to enjoy Alabama vs. Ohio State in the 2015 Sugar Bowl.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Alabama vs. Ohio State | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | 10-33 | -9 | 20-21 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | 11-4 | +9 | 20-23 |
Most Intriguing Matchup: Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer
There will be intense matchups all over the field in the College Football Playoff semifinal, but most eyes will be on the chess match being played by Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and the Buckeyes' Urban Meyer.
Between the two men, they have won six national championships. Saban holds the edge with four (one at LSU and three at Alabama), while Meyer won two with Florida. With enough combined big-game experience to level the playing field, all eyes will be on which coach outmaneuvers his opponent.
When asked about Meyer’s success, Saban told Zac Ellis of SportsIllustrated.com, “Urban has done a fantastic job as a college coach wherever he's been, and we've played some tough games when he was at Florida. We certainly have a lot of respect for the tradition and the great team that he has at Ohio State this year.”
Patrick Maks of ElevenWarriors.com shared legendary head coach Lou Holtz’s thoughts on the matchup between Saban and Meyer:
On one hand, Saban has built a perennial powerhouse that produces NFL-caliber players on a yearly basis. Alabama has racked up 37.1 points per game this season (17th in the nation) and has only allowed an average of 16.6 points per game (fourth overall) in 2014.
On the other hand, Meyer has been forced to switch starting quarterbacks twice this season due to season-ending injuries. After Braxton Miller went down for the year before the season even began, the team turned the reins over to freshman J.T. Barrett.
But after Barrett suffered an ankle injury late in the season, Meyer looked to third-string quarterback Cardale Jones. The head coach’s ability to roll with the punches and overcome adversity has been a highlight of Ohio State’s season.
Unfortunately, Alabama’s roster is much deeper and has more skill at key positions. Saban holds the 2-1 career record against Meyer, and in the Sugar Bowl, he will make it 3-1.
Predicted Final Score: Alabama 30, Ohio State 24
Stats via ESPN.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
