NCAAF National Championship: Crimson Tide Will Topple Buckeyes

2021 NCAAF National Champonship Gambling Picks

A funny thing happened last season during the NCAA National Championship. The Alabama Crimson Tide didn't qualify for a place in the College Football Playoffs. The Tide had rolled to four straight national finals and two titles between 2015-19. Alabama is back in its usual place as CFP favorites. The Crimson Tide, with perhaps their best team ever, may not cover as eight-point favorites over the Oho State Buckeyes in the Jan. 11 national title game at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, but should still win.

First Team			Second Team
Alabama	-280	+230	Ohio State

First Team			Second Team
Alabama	O 75 (-105)	U 75 (-115)	Ohio State

First Team			Second Team
Alabama	-8 (-115)	+8 (-105)	Ohio State

• Alabama are eight-point favorites over Ohio State in the Jan. 11 CFP National Championship game
• The Crimson Tide have won two of the past four CFP titles
• The Buckeyes most recently won the national championship in 2014

There are long-time college football bettors who think that this season's edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide could be the best Alabama team ever assembled. That's saying something, considering the Tide has rolled to two national titles since 2015 and made more appearances in the CFP (six) than any other school.

That being the case, there's also a lot to be said for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP betting odds. Alabama comes into the title game like 12-0 SEC champions. Ohio State is the 7-0 Big Ten champs. In a weird college football season in which games were only contested within the conference and some games were rescheduled or postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, might Ohio State's lesser schedule leave the Buckeyes a more rested team?

It's difficult to look past the litany of offensive weapons that Alabama can utilize to overcome an opponent. Both of these teams can put a lot of points up on the board and can do so in a rapid fashion. A 45-42 final in the CFP title game isn't out of the question.

Different Ways To Play It

From a betting standpoint, it's going to be hard to wager against the Tide, but with a caveat. Here's how to play this game in the Alabama-Ohio State betting odds: If you're betting the moneyline, take the Crimson Tide. If you're betting the point spread, take Ohio State and the eight points.

Last year was the first time since the CFP was first formed in 2014 that Alabama didn't qualify. In 2014. Ohio State won its most recent CFP title. The Buckeyes beat Alabama 42-35 in the semi-finals that year.

Take Alabama To Win Outright

There's a reason why Alabama is the chalk in the CFP betting odds. En route to their 12 victories, the Crimson Tide have answered every challenge. They've found different ways to win. In the SEC Championship Game against Florida, Alabama outscored the Gators 52-46. Quarterback Mac Jones passed for 418 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Najee Harris scampered for 244 all-purpose yards, and also scored five TDs.

Receiver DeVonta Smith, the Heisman Trophy favorite, has caught 105 passes for 1,641 yards and scored 21 TDs.

Alabama's offense has gone over 50 points five times and reached the 60-point barrier twice. They own a 90 percent red zone success rate.

Defensively, the Crimson Tide aren't as dominant. However, they did post one shutout this season and held another team to a solitary field goal. Notre Dame managed just 14 points against Alabama in the CFP semi-finals.

Alabama To beat Ohio State

-280

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Take Ohio State And The Points

Alabama will win, but the Crimson Tide won't win as big as the college football odds suggest they should. Ohio State is no slouches.

QB Justin Fields threw for a Sugar Bowl-record six-TDs in the CFP semi-final win over Clemson. He also suffered a rib injury after absorbing a hit from Tigers defender James Skalski in that game. Buckeyes running back Trey Sermon has rushed for 523 yards in the last two games.

There is one comparable that can be put into place when analyzing this game. Alabama beat Notre Dame 31-14 in the CFP semi-finals. Clemson dumped Notre Dame 34-10 in the ACC title game. Ohio State clubbed Clemson 49-28 in the other CFP semi-final.

The Buckeyes were no doubt seeking revenge for last year's heartbreaking 29-23 CFP semi-final loss to the Tigers. Do they have another game like that left in their reservoir?

Probably not. The Buckeyes won't beat the Tide. But they also won't lose by more than a TD.

Where To Bet On NCAAF National Championship

There are a number of leading online sports betting sites that will provide bettors the chance to place a wager on the NCAA football national championship game. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the best deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out BetUS and MyBookie as examples.

The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you'll get a good deal wherever you go, why not shop around and find the best fit for your needs?

Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no-deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you're already a winner.

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you: