The 2014 college football season ends Monday night when the Oregon Ducks face the Ohio State Buckeyes for the right to be crowned champions. The first ever College Football Playoff will feature these two after they won New Year's Day to advance to the championship game.
Oregon enters the game at 13-1 after winning the Pac-12 and then routing the defending-champion Seminoles in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks are lead by Heisman-winning QB Marcus Mariota, who has started every game of his career since he was a redshirt freshman while tossing a touchdown pass in every game. He's also gone 36-4 and is on pace for the lowest interception percentage in college football history with just 13 interceptions on 1,130 attempts.
As for the Buckeyes, they too enter this game at 13-1, though their road is one few teams will ever travel. Now on their third-string QB, the Buckeyes have battled adversity all season to get to this point. No one saw them making the title game until their 42-35 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Redshirt sophomore Cardale Jones was outstanding in both the Big Ten championship game rout of Wisconsin and playoff semifinal win over Alabama. In those two games, Jones threw four touchdown passes, averaged 276 yards of total offense and turned the ball over just once.
How to Watch
College Football Playoff National Championship: Oregon vs. Ohio State
When: Monday, January 12
Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: The game will be available on radio via Oregon affiliates and Ohio State affiliates, with live streaming available on ESPNRadio.
Odds: Ohio State is a six-point underdog, according to OddsShark.com.
Betting Trends: Ohio State is 11-3 SU and ATS in its last 14 games against Pac-12 opponents. Oregon is 9-0 SU and ATS over its last nine games. Oregon is 4-0 SU and ATS over its last four bowl games.
OddsShark Computer Prediction: Oregon 44, Ohio State 36
For more on Oregon, visit Addicted to Quack. For all things Ohio State, check out Land-Grant Holy Land.