Jeff Gross/Getty Images Jameis Winston, Amari Cooper and others potentially head to the 2015 NFL draft, while those left behind have something to say about the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship. Marcus Mariota’s Oregon Ducks and Cardale Jones’ Ohio State Buckeyes tout plenty of talent set to move on to the next level, but for now, January 12 in Arlington, Texas is all that matters. There, a team with a supposed third-string quarterback that somehow took down Alabama’s dynasty clashes with a team that has yet to hiccup or be too small, slow or shocked in the face of the best of the best. On such an important stage, a few key names will decide the outcome. College Football Playoff National Championship Odds and Schedule Date Matchup Start Time (ET) Network Odds January 12, 2015 Oregon vs. Ohio State 8:30 p.m. ESPN Oregon -7 via ESPN.com/Odds via OddsShark.com embedded content Early X-Factors to Watch Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State Brynn Anderson/Associated Press Faced with compensating for a third-string quarterback under center, Ohio State sophomore back Ezekiel Elliott erupted against an elite and still-sixth-ranked Alabama defense to carry the Buckeyes to a 42-35 win. Of course, Elliott is no stranger to pressure or big games. He torched a strong Michigan State defense for 154 yards and two scores in a 49-37 win. He ran for a minimum of 121 yards and two scores against Michigan to close the season and against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Somehow, that all pales in comparison to what he accomplished against the Crimson Tide, though. Backs are lucky to hit around 70 rushing yards against the unit—he ran wild for 230 and two scores. ESPN Stats & Info puts things into perspective: No player had rushed for more than 83 yards in a game vs Alabama this season before OSU’s Ezekiel Elliott had 230 last night — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 2, 2015 Elliott needs one more repeat performance if the Buckeyes are to win the title. His ability to control the pace of the game on the ground opens things up for Jones through the air. It also means less time on the field for this year’s Heisman winner. The door is open, too—Oregon allowed Florida State back Dalvin Cook to rush for 103 yards and the Seminoles as a whole to gain 180 and a score on a 4.6 per-carry average. …
Continue Reading: Oregon vs. Ohio State: TV Info and Odds for College Football Championship 2015
