The distractions and lineup juggling continue for the Oregon Ducks as they will meet a surging Ohio State Buckeyes team in tonight’s first ever College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is set for 8:30 PM ET on ESPN and the Ducks are listed as a touchdown favorite with the Over/Under set at 74.5 points.
The game offers a stark contrast with the traditional power and name brand cache of Ohio State going up against a revolutionary Oregon Ducks program with their X-Box offense and wild uniforms that has changed the dynamics of branding and recruiting in the college game. While Ohio State is a historic powerhouse, Oregon has become a popular merchandising powerhouse. It is a matchup that features the best of college football’s past and its future. But Oregon has spent the past week dealing with mounting suspensions and injuries that could harm their chances Monday night.
Will Ducks be Focused?
The Ducks are dealing with a combination of key injuries to go along with suspensions due to drug tests WR Darren Covington was suspended and sent home last week for reportedly testing positive for marijuana. Now comes word that senior running back and special teams star Ayele Forde is also back home in Eugene due to testing positive on a drug test for an undisclosed substance. Another key receiver, Devon Allen, has a knee injury that is likely to keep him out of the game. Oregon already had lost their best defensive back, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, a projected first round NFL draft pick, due to a knee injury leading up to the Rose Bowl.
Carrington was the Ducks top breakaway receiver, as he averaged 19 yards per catch on 37 receptions with four touchdowns. Allen had 41 receptions good for 16.7 yards per catch and seven touchdowns.
All in all there are a total of five Ducks suspended for this game with one possible suspension yet to come to go with seven injuries.
Confidence Projected
Despite the recent distractions the Ducks remain confident that they will reload their prolific attack that has been among the most exciting offenses to watch in the history of college football.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in our offense during the game,” said All American center Hroniss Grasua. “We’re not going to change our play calling or anything. We’re just going to keep doing what we do. Nothing’s going to change for us.”
Freshman running back Royce Freeman said, “It’s full steam ahead. We lost some guys, yes, but we’re still going full force.”
Despite the brave talk the depleted receiving corps could prove to be problematic, especially on third downs or if Oregon falls behind. Oregon had just a 41 percent conversion rate on third downs against teams that were ranked in the AP poll this season. Ohio State had a stingy defense for third downs as they allowed just 36 percent on conversions.
The one thing that Oregon still does have, however, is Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Jonesin’ for a Title
Injuries have also been an issue for the Ohio State Buckeyes this year, particularly at the quarterback position where third-string signal-caller Cardale Jones has emerged as a star. Jones led the Bucks to a 59-0 blowout win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game in his first start. Jones followed that up with a poised and polished performance against Alabama in Ohio State’s 42-35 playoff win.
Head coach Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes have turned accident into design as Jones has the strongest arm of the Ohio State quarterback corps and that has allowed the Bucks to stretch the field and force defenses into a more respectful and balanced scheme that has to respect the pass as well as the run. Ohio State is averaging 9.6 yards per pass attempt with Jones which would rank second in the nation behind only Mariota.
The Ohio State defense meanwhile relishes the challenge of shutting down Mariota and the Ducks explosive attack.
“We don’t back down from any challenge, we actually embrace the challenge,” said OSU safety Tyvis Powell. “We want to go out there and show people that the ‘Silver Bullets’ are still here.”
Dream Matchup
The nation has long pined for a matchup of Alabama against Oregon. Instead they get a pairing that could prove to be better, as Ohio State showed that their successful run has been no accident after a convincing win over Alabama.
Ohio State is built like a classic SEC power, which makes for that perfect contrast to Oregon and their futuristic style. The first ever playoff season gets the best possible title game matchup as a result. In the end, tradition usually rises to the top. The Buckeyes are peaking at the perfect moment. Ohio State should wear down Oregon to win the game and national championship.
