Knup Sports National Championship Game Recap. The Alabama Crimson Tide are back on top of the college football world after their dominating victory over Ohio State on Monday night. The Tide left no doubt that they were by far the best team in the nation in 2020. Alabama dealt Ohio State an embarrassing 52-24 loss where Mac Jones, Najee Harris, and DeVonta Smith tore up the Buckeyes’ defense.
National Championship Game Recap | Game Summary
This game was relatively close with five minutes left in the second half. It was evident that Ohio State was going to have trouble containing the Tide from the opening kick. However, Justin Fields and company had some offensive success which gave Buckeyes’ fans a glimmer of hope that their team could take down the Tide.
If you watched the last five minutes of the second quarter and the entire second half, you know that Alabama made Ohio State look like a JV football team. Ohio State kicked a field goal with 5:21 to go in the first half to make it a four-point game. Alabama got the football back with a 21-17 lead and went to work.
DeVonta Smith proceeded to haul in two Mac Jones touchdown passes in the final five minutes of the second half. These two receptions gave him three total touchdowns in the second quarter. The Tide went into the locker room with 35-17 lead after their late quarter heroics.
The Tide received the second half kickoff and removed any remaining hope that Ohio State had to win this football game. The Tide didn’t score a touchdown on their opening drive, but they broke the back of the Ohio State defense.
The Alabama offensive line began enforcing their will up front. The Buckeyes didn’t have an answer for Najee Harris. Alabama took 7:13 to drive 75 yards over the course of 16 plays. The drive ended with a Will Reichard 20-yard field goal to increase the team’s lead to 21 points.
Ohio State did respond with a quick touchdown drive where Justin Fields found Garrett Wilson in the endzone to make the score 38-24. The Tide stayed calm and went back on the attack. Alabama scored a touchdown at the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter.
Najee Harris’ fourth quarter touchdown made it 52-24 Alabama. This was the final Crimson Tide dagger that the Buckeyes would have to endure in their National Championship Game defeat.
FINAL: Alabama 52 Ohio State 24
National Championship Game Recap | Statistics
The Alabama defense was terrific against the Buckeyes. Ohio State was known for their juggernaut offense all season long, but this wasn’t the case on Monday night. Ohio State accumulated 341 total yards, but Just Fields only threw for 194 yards with a 52% completion percentage.
The Tide’s secondary confused Fields and the Alabama front seven was in his lap all night long. The Alabama defense didn’t force a turnover, but they made two big fourth down stops to end drives that could’ve resulted in Ohio State points.
The Tide had 621 yards of total offense in the National Championship game. 157 of these yards came on the ground. Najee Harris led the way with 77 yards, but the Tide aired it out all night. Mac Jones was sensational completing 36 of 45 passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns.
These numbers were definitely worthy of an MVP award, but DeVonta Smith took home the postgame accolades. Smith had 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State had no answer for the reigning Heisman Trophy recipient during his National Championship MVP performance.
Alabama also had possession for close to 40 minutes during the game. Ohio State is a tremendous program, but Alabama is on a different level this year. The 2020 Crimson Tide put themselves in the greatest college football team of all time conversation after dominating the Buckeyes in all phases of the National Championship Game.
National Championship Game Recap | Final Thoughts
Nick Saban has officially surpassed Bear Bryant for the most National Championship victories ever as a head coach. Saban has won seven total titles including six leading the Crimson Tide. What he has done at the University of Alabama is tremendous.
Nobody deserves this accolade more than Nick Saban because of his relentless work ethic and dedication to the Alabama football program. I guarantee Coach Saban has already started preparing for spring practice. That’s why he’s the best to ever do it at the collegiate level.
Ohio State blew a few opportunities last night, but they’re not as good as Alabama. I think if these teams played ten times, Alabama would win every single contest. I’m not saying that Ohio State isn’t a respectable opponent. I’m just saying that this year’s Alabama was virtually unstoppable.
The team scored over 40 points in 11 of their 13 games this season. The Tide did this in the SEC which is the best conference in college football. Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith could be the best quarterback/receiver duo of all time.
This Alabama team is a testament of Nick Saban’s recruiting and player development. Nobody expected Mac Jones to do anything this season. He went from a possible late rounder to a probable first-rounder. That doesn’t happen all the time, but Saban’s coaching has made this a common occurrence for the Alabama football programs.
Congratulations to the 2020-21 National Champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide.
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