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Oregon vs. Ohio State 2015: TV Info, Odds for College Football Championship 2015
January 12, 2015
Hours from now, a new champion in college football will be crowned. After taking down the two teams that have won the last three national championships, Oregon and Ohio State will tangle at AT&T Stadium.
Oregon comes in with a ton of confidence after dismantling Florida State in the Rose Bowl. Led by Marcus Mariota, the Ducks have a volatile offense that matches up with the very best in the country along with a physical defense.
On the other side stands Ohio State, which shocked the world with an upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Even though they're on their third quarterback this season in Cardale Jones, the Buckeyes have a potent attack with Ezekiel Elliott leading the way on the ground.
Prior to kickoff, here's a look at the viewing info, odds and breakdown of the national championship.
Game Information
Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
When: Monday, Jan. 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Spread: Oregon -6.5
Over/Under: 74
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com.
Breakdown
For two teams that have dominated the sport in recent months, they have each followed a similar path.
Ohio State comes in with Jones at quarterback, who started the season third on the depth chart. Despite the signal-caller shuffle, the Buckeyes still come in with the fifth-best scoring offense (45 points per game).
Part of that success is due to Jones, who has stepped in admirably after both Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett were lost for the season. We've seen greatness shine through from Jones, but receiver Evan Spencer knows there is more he can unleash.
"You guys haven't seen all of his power," Spencer said, via Nicole Auerbach of USA Today. "I've seen Cardale on one knee throw the ball 65 yards. I was dumbfounded. You haven't seen everything he's got, trust me."
Meanwhile, Oregon has seen one key player after another go down late in the season. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, an All-American cornerback, is out for the playoff due to a knee injury. Freshman receivers Devon Allen and Darren Carrington, the No. 2 wideout, are both lost due to injury and ineligibility, respectively.
Even with those losses, Mariota comes in looking like the top player, not just the best quarterback, in the country. Having the Heisman winner under center gives the Ducks a dual-threat option to open up the field. ESPN Stats & Info also notes just how well he's played on the big stage:
Along with the two dynamic quarterbacks, both squads feature backfields with outstanding tailbacks. Royce Freeman excelled as a freshman in the Ducks system to lead the team in rushing and touchdowns.
Elliott, a sophomore, has set the world on fire in the last two games with 450 rushing yards and four touchdowns. ESPN College Football provides a look at a comparison of their ridiculous production:
Let's just say that fans can expect offensive gymnastics from both sides, but it will ultimately be Oregon's defense that changes the game. After compiling a Pac-12-best 36 sacks this season and causing 30 turnovers, expect the Ducks to finish with the upperhand.
On the shoulders of Mariota, Freeman and a potent defense, Oregon will take home its first national title. In a storybook year for the program, Monday night will be a fitting ending.
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