Oregon vs. Ohio State: Biggest X-Factors in College Football Championship 2015
In an anticipated game such as the college football national championship between Oregon and Ohio State, unheralded players have a way of coming out from under the radar to make a difference.
You'll hear all about the household names leading up to the showdown in Arlington, Texas, and each is sure to generate a fair share of hype entering Monday night. But the bright spotlight and a focus on those players can inevitably leave others unaccounted for to steal it.
Less heralded players emerged left and right in both College Football Playoff semifinal games, but that only set the stage for what should unfold at AT&T Stadium Monday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here's a look at two X-factors on each team that could loom large.
Oregon X-Factors
Charles Nelson, WR
He may not have a performance reminiscent of teammate and fellow wideout Darren Carrington in the Rose Bowl (165 yards, 2 TDs), but Oregon speedster Charles Nelson should be all over the field and wreaking havoc Monday night.
The freshman will fly under the radar for a number of reasons, most notably the fact that he's seventh on the team in receiving yards and catches. At 5'9" and 170 pounds, he's also easy to lose in coverage or on the perimeter.
The Ducks will have to be careful against a Buckeyes defense that picked off Alabama three times, and the loss of star wideout Devon Allen for the game, per The Oregonian's Tyson Alger, will make things even tougher.
No quarterback protects the ball like Marcus Mariota, however, as he has just six interceptions on the year to 56 total touchdowns. To be sure about keeping it away from Ohio State, though, he'll have to spread it around and keep it away from tight coverage.
With how much Nelson is flying under the radar and his immense speed, he's a good bet to get open.
Erick Dargan, CB
It may be a bit disrespectful to classify Oregon cornerback Erick Dargan as an X-factor, considering he leads the team in tackles and has seven interceptions coming into the championship, but there's no doubt he isn't talked about enough.
The Ducks were led all season by star cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, but they have been forced to play in the four-team playoff without him after his practice injury. A huge question entering the Rose Bowl was how Oregon would replace him, and it was answered in convincing fashion.
With a couple of impact corners around him stepping into more playing time, Dargan still stood out the most against Florida State. He grabbed a big interception on Jameis Winston, along with eight tackles in the game.
The Seminoles don't have the firepower vertically that the Buckeyes possess, however. With Devin Smith, Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall all coming off of big games in the Sugar Bowl, Oregon will need strong play from at least two or three corners throughout to keep quarterback Cardale Jones' arm contained.
If Dargan can lead by example, the Ducks could start swarming to the ball like they did in the Rose Bowl.
Ohio State X-Factors
Joshua Perry, LB
One of the central figures to Ohio State's defensive front will have perhaps his toughest assignment of the season against Oregon Monday night.
Joshua Perry is the team's most dangerous leader at the linebacker spot, lining up on the weak side and attacking quarterbacks and rushers alike. He tends to fly around as a playmaker, but he will have to stay poised and in his spots against the Ducks.
That's because Oregon will strut out its signature high-powered offense, featuring a spread attack that will hit you with a number of different rushes in a variety of ways. Whether it's bowling-ball back Royce Freeman rumbling down the field, speedsters Thomas Tyner or Byron Marshall scampering around or Mariota pulling and keeping, the Buckeyes will have to stay in their spots to avoid getting mixed up.
Throughout a single drive, Perry may be called upon to stop three or four different playmakers—all with different sizes and skill sets. It's the type of responsibility a future NFL player could dominate or be unable to thwart.
Cameron Johnston, P
The punter is going to be an X-factor? I have to be kidding you, right?
Not quite. Ohio State's punter Cameron Johnston is coming off a strong performance in the Sugar Bowl, and the field position of his punts—particularly in the second half—will loom large.
In a Sugar Bowl that featured 13 punts, Johnston had six of them, and he averaged 46.5 yards per punt. He was able to pin two inside the 20, one of which was downed at the one-yard line. That led to an Ohio State pick-six that gave the Buckeyes a 13-point third-quarter lead.
Johnston can also hurt his team. He muffed a punt inside his own end zone with 11 minutes to go, which could have led to Alabama taking a late lead if Buckeyes safety Vonn Bell didn't snare an interception the very next play.
The impact of Johnston may be negated somewhat due to two electric offenses, but the championship will inevitably come down to field position late. If Johnston can keep those muffs out of his arsenal, Ohio State will have an advantage.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
