College Football National Championship 2015: Latest Odds, Preview for Title Game
The 2014 college football regular season was one of the wildest in recent memory, and the road to the 2015 national championship has been just as unpredictable, with the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes advancing to the title game.
With Oregon, Ohio State, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida State Seminoles all making the inaugural College Football Playoff, fans were treated to two intriguing semifinal battles that have spawned a dream championship.
Heidi Burgett of Nike revealed the uniforms for both teams in the national championship:
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here is all the vital betting and viewing information for the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
When: Monday, January 12
Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
| Oregon Ducks | 5-11 | 75 (20-21) | -6.5 (100-103) |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | 2-1 | 75 (20-21) | +6.5 (100-107) |
*Betting information via OddsShark.com (as of Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. ET).
Quick Preview of Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
After Ohio State made it into the College Football Playoff bracket as the No. 4 seed, few fans gave the Buckeyes a legitimate shot to beat Alabama in the semifinal.
Not only did Ohio State beat the Crimson Tide, but the team also managed to do it in convincing fashion, racking up an impressive 42-35 final score. Even with third-string quarterback Cardale Jones at the helm, the Buckeyes managed to knock off the No. 1 team in the nation.
One of the reasons for Ohio State’s success this season has been the high-speed pace of the offensive unit and the havoc that has caused on opposing defenses. Whether it was in the Big Ten or against the vaunted SEC, the Buckeyes wore their opposition down, just like Oregon.
When asked about his relationship with former Oregon and current Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, Ohio State’s Urban Meyer explained to George Schroeder of USA Today what aspects of the high-paced offense he has incorporated, saying:
"I just like their approach. When I went out there, I brought back with me that there's an unbelievable culture. This is the way they do their business. Everyone is aligned. I brought that back to our place.
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John Buccigross of ESPN shared some interesting stats about the Buckeyes and the Ducks:
There are similarities between the two programs, but while Ohio State is trying to emulate what Oregon is doing on offense, the Ducks have spent years mastering the game plan on and off the field.
Offensively, Oregon is one of the most dangerous teams in the country due to the 11th-ranked pass attack (averaging 311 yards per game) and the 18th-ranked run game (averaging 241.9 yards per game), and the team’s average of 47.2 points per game is good enough for second overall.
The Ducks offense will push the Buckeyes defense to its limit.
As great as both offensive units have been this season, the real difference will be the underrated Oregon defense. With nine straight victories and the team’s defensive unit holding opponents to 20 or fewer points in six of the last eight games, Ohio State will have a hard time developing a rhythm.
If the Ducks play the way they did when they beat Florida State, 59-20, in the other College Football Playoff semifinal, Oregon should have the firepower to hold off the very talented Buckeyes in the national championship.
Predicted Final Score: Oregon 40, Ohio State 30
*Stats via ESPN.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
