The top-ranked, one-loss TIDE will clash with the 4th-ranked, one-loss Buckeyes in prime time-- the second playoff game of the day following the Oregon-Florida State Rose Bowl contest.
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| BRENTOONS BAMA Gameday Cover: BIG AL Nutcracker prepares to crack open a Buckeye |
Urban Meyer brings a confident Buckeye squad into New Orleans with an underachieving chip on their shoulders to prove they belong. With a third-string quarterback and a string of victories against unimpressive foes, State wants desperately to prove they belong in the Final Four.
Coach Saban only has to remind his team of the importance of this game, the repercussions, and the total embarrassment from last season's Sugar Bowl loss to Oklahoma for motivation. The TIDE wants to rightly make history by advancing to the Championship Game, and will be focused on Ohio State Thursday night.
PREDICTION:
ALABAMA 35, Ohio State 21
