It's here. The National Championship Game. Over 120 teams came into training camp dreaming of playing in this game, but only 2 have turned that dream into reality. Those 2 are the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks. Let's get into each teams road to the ''Ship''.
Ohio State
The Bucks season appeared over before it started. Standout QB Braxton Miller tore his ACL shortly after the beginning camp, and Buckeye fans were understandably shell shocked. This forced Freshman JT Barrett to take over, and many fans were skeptical, to put it mildly. If fans were skeptical before the season, then they must have been downright frightened after a Week 2 loss to a mediocre Virginia Tech team in their home stadium. Fans may have been a little more at ease the next week when the Bucks trounced lowly Kent State by a 66-0 margin, by the relief was marginal at best. Things started to look up in Columbus the next week when The Buckeyes defeated a pretty good Cincinnati team by a respectable margin of 50-28. By this point fans were starting to have faith in young Barrett. Next came the B1G opener on the road at Maryland. Barrett proved more than ready as The Bucks trounced the Terps 52-24. By this point, fans knew that things were looking pretty good. It only got better as OSU blew out another opponent 7 days later. This time Rutgers was the victim, and the scoreboard read 56-17 as the final whistle sounded. Ohio State would face what would prove to be their biggest scare of 2014 the next week in Happy Valley. An inspired Penn State team had the Bucks on the ropes, and a clutch sack by standout DE Joey Bosa in 2OT sealed another Buckeye victory, by a score of 31-24. Things would get easy again next Saturday with a 55-14 curb stomp of Illinois. The next week, OSU would have to travel to East Lansing to take on #8 ranked and B1G leader Michigan State. Barrett would prove more then ready as the Bucks put up 49 points on a very good defensive football team, and won 49-37. The next week was somewhat of a test, but OSU would pull away late from a scrappy Indiana team by a score of 42-27. Next week was Michigan week. The determined Wolverines would not go down easily, but the Bucks would pull out a 42-28 win. It would come with a price though, as JT Barrett, who at this point had broken several B1G records, was lost for good with a broken ankle. Again, panic arose in Columbus. Now it would be up to Junior Cardale Jones to keep the ship from sinking. With a huge test coming up against #13 Wisconsin in the B1G championship game, fans were very unstable. All worries were put to rest when Brutus trounced Bucky by a score of 59-0. Cardale proved more then worthy to caption the boat. Now, fans would have to wait to see if their team would be one of the 4 chosen for the first ever College Football Playoff. The committee would answer prayers and choose the Bucks over both TCU and Baylor. The Bucks would prove that they were in fact worthy of the honor when they upset #1 Alabama by a score of 42-35 in the semifinal game. Now its time for Oregon, who happens to feature the best player in the land, QB Marcus Mariota.
Oregon
Unlike their opponents, the Ducks were expected by many to be in this position. The Ducks first test came in Week 2, and they proved worthy with a 46-27 win over Michigan State. After 2 more wins, the Ducks were stunned on a Thursday Night in their own stadium by Arizona. The Ducks would have to prove to their fans that they could respond from adversity. They did just that the next week with a 42-30 road win over #18 UCLA. The Ducks next test would come in Salt Lake City against #17 Utah. The Utes would be tough, but bonehead plays and dumb mistakes would be enough for the Ducks to take advantage and go back to campus with a 51-27 win. After a trouncing of Colorado, the Ducks would face a determined Oregon State team in Corvallis for the annual Civil War. It would prove to be no issue as the Ducks would leave with a 47-19 victory. Next Friday night would be the Pac-12 title game, against the team that defeated the Ducks, #7 Arizona. The Ducks were pissed off for revenge and they curb stomped the Cats 51-13. The Ducks had done enough to earn a spot in the Playoff. The Ducks would destroy Jameis Winston and #3 Florida State in the semifinal game. That brings them to tonight.
Now, I will go over how the 2 teams match up against one another.
Offense
You all know where this is going. Oregon has long been know for their fast-past, very exciting offense. They feature the best QB in the land in Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Marriota, as well as a solid running back in Royce Freeman as well as WR Bryon Marshall. The Ducks attack received a hit when 2nd leading receiver Darren Carrington was suspended for the game after failing a drug test, but Offensive Coordinator Scott Frost and his attack will still be tough to slow down. Ohio State is also very good offensively. Led by Jones and standout RB Ezekiel Elliott, the Bucks also have a strong group of receivers that includes Devin Smith, Jalen Marshall and TE Nick Vannett. Still, I give the edge to the Ducks
Edge: Oregon
Defense
Ohio States defense has been strong all year. Led up front by Defensive End Joey Bosa and Defensive Tackle Michael Bennett, the Bucks front 4 is very capable. The secondary is anchored by Freshman Eli Apple. Oregon's defensive is known for allowing a lot of yards, but they always seem to stiffen in the red zone. Both units are capable, but I'm going to have to give the edge to Luke Fickell's defense.
Edge: Buckeyes
Special Teams
One of OSU's strengths is pinning teams deep, and the main reason for this is punter Cameron Johnston. Both teams have strong kickers, but this field position will have a huge role in this game.
Edge: Ohio State
Coaching
No brainer here. Urban Meyer already has 2 national championships, while Mark Helfrich is a good coach but only in his 2nd season.
Edge: OSU
This game will be very fun with a lot of action and drama, but after comparing the 2 teams, I have to give Ohio State the edge. The Bucks are looking like a team of destiny and no creature will get in their way. OH
Winner and 2015 College Football Playoff Champions: Ohio State
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