Oregon vs. Ohio State: Complete Preview for College Football Championship 2015

After a pair of College Football Playoff semifinals that both unfolded unpredictably in their own unique ways, Oregon and Ohio State are gearing up for a battle to decide the national champion.

The Ducks left no doubt about their place as the most dominant force in college football this season, slaying the giant that was Florida State. But instead of a back-and-forth, hard-fought win, Oregon throttled the Seminoles 59-20 in a one-sided Rose Bowl.

The favorites weren't so fortunate in the New Year's Day night cap, as the Buckeyes gave the Alabama Crimson Tide their best shot and wouldn't be denied in a 42-35 win.

Each team comes in with only one loss, and neither squad has seen a defeat since the opening few days of October. With destiny creeping in for two national powerhouses, legacies will be on the line come January 12.

Here's a look at everything you need to know for the national championship.

When: Monday, January 12, 2015

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Start Time (ET): 8:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Spread (via Odds Shark): Oregon -6.5

National Championship Preview

USA TODAY Sports

It may not be the matchup we all expected, but there's little to complain about when Oregon and Ohio State are meeting for the national title.

On one side of the matchup, getting here seemed like a mere formality. Ever since a shocking home loss to Arizona, the Ducks have been on fire, earning nine straight wins by double digits (many of which were much more lopsided).

Marcus Mariota's continued dominance is the main ingredient. Despite throwing an uncharacteristic interception in the Rose Bowl, the Heisman Trophy winner dazzled with 338 passing yards and three total touchdowns. 

As ESPN Stats & Info noted, all he has to do is score as many touchdowns as turnovers in the championship and he'll make history:

Keeping up his offensive dominance against an Ohio State defense that conceded 407 total yards to Alabama shouldn't be difficult, but outscoring a Buckeyes offense that hasn't skipped a beat with its third-string quarterback is another story.

Quarterback Cardale Jones proved his game against Wisconsin was no fluke, helping gash the Alabama defense. Ohio State put up 537 total yards in the game, 281 of which came on the ground against a group that had been the nation's top-ranked run defense.

Ohio State couldn't get off to the start it wanted against Alabama, but it didn't much matter when things got clicking. The Buckeyes won't want to do the same against an Oregon team that is used to putting opponents away by the middle of the third quarter.

The Buckeyes' comeback likely would not have been possible without holding Alabama to just one score in each of the final three quarters, which will be easier said than done against Oregon's offense. Then again, the Ducks shouldn't be able to make the Buckeyes one-dimensional like they did the Seminoles.

After Ohio State rolled with some early punches and executed its plan to perfection against the top-ranked Crimson Tide, the Buckeyes won't be short on confidence as they try to do the same against Oregon. With that said, it's going to be a completely different type of challenge.

Prediction

Ohio State's offense is for real, and there's no one who should doubt that after what unfolded in the Sugar Bowl. But a great offense can only be topped by an unstoppable offense, which will be the case in this one.

The Buckeyes were on their P's and Q's defensively against Alabama but still conceded 35 points. Mariota and the Oregon offense are simply firing on all cylinders right now, taking advantage of every turnover and moving the ball down the field with ease.

Jones has too much around him on offense to fall apart like Jameis Winston and FSU did against these Ducks. Unlike most of the times Oregon has stepped onto the field this season, it won't come easy—but it will undoubtedly come, and Oregon will hoist its first-ever national title.

Oregon 41, Ohio State 34