Ohio State Buckeyes: What to know about the national championship game

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla.

TV/Radio: ESPN/1410

Series history: Alabama leads 3-1 with victories in the 1978 Sugar Bowl, 1986 Kickoff Classic and 1995 Citrus Bowl. The Buckeyes won the 2015 Sugar Bowl. The teams are scheduled for their first game not at a neutral site Sept. 28, 2027, when the Crimson Tide travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State.

Last game: Ohio State stunned many around the college football world by upsetting the top-ranked Crimson Tide 42-35 six years ago. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including an 85-yard scoring jaunt in the fourth quarter that ultimately proved to be the difference. Ohio State overcame a 21-6 deficit with Cardale Jones throwing throwing one touchdown pass and Evan Spencer another along the way.

Coaches: Ohio State’s Ryan Day is 23-1 in two-plus seasons. Alabama’s Nick Saban is 164-23 in 14 seasons in Tuscaloosa and 255-65-1 overall in 25 seasons as a college head coach. He is 2-2 against Ohio State.

Ohio State notes: Ohio State is playing in a national championship game for the fifth time in 19 years. The Buckeyes won in 2002 and ’14 while losing in ’06 and ’07… The Buckeyes rank in the top seven in the nation in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, third down conversions and turnover margin… Eight Ohio State players played high school football in Florida — Sevyn Banks (Orlando), Marcus Crowley (Jacksonville), Tyreke Johnson (Jacksonville), Nicholas Petit-Frere (Tampa), Shaun Wade (Jacksonville), Lejond Cavazos (Bradenton), Taron Vincent (Bradenton) and Marcus Williamson (Bradenton).

Alabama notes: The Crimson Tide rank in the top 10 in total offense, passing offense, scoring offense, red zone offense, punt returns, tackles for loss and turnovers gained… They are 32nd in total defense, 13th in scoring defense (19.0 points per game), 32nd in passing defense, 13th in rushing defense, 19th in pass efficiency defense and 15th in red zone defense… QB Mac Jones leads the nation in completion percentage (77.0), pass efficiency and yards per attempt (11.3) and is second in passing yards and touchdown passes… Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith leads the nation with 20 touchdown catches… RB Najee Harris leads the nation in points (162) and total touchdowns (27).

Quoted: Saban on whether or not it matters if the game is a shootout or a defensive struggle: “I don’t think so. I think you have to do what you have to do to execute, play well in the game, give yourself an opportunity to win. Every game can have an ebb and flow that may end up being a little bit different, and you’ve just got to end up playing the next play and hope that you can do the things to finish the game so you give yourself an opportunity to be successful and have a chance to win.”

Next game: The Buckeyes are scheduled to kick off the 2021 regular season Sept. 2 at Minnesota. The Crimson Tide open Sept. 4 against Miami (Fla.) in Atlanta.

Prediction: Alabama 45, Ohio State 31