For Alabama Crimson Tide, Thursday's showdown with Ohio State offers the chance to prolong their supremacy in college football. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, look to end painful years of futility caused by scandals and sheer bad luck (ESPN Watch and Sports Stream at 8:30 p.m US EST/ Box Score Stats, Highlights & Update).
In the battle between two proud college football programs, someone has to give.
What's at Stake:
Alabama has been synonymous with success over the past six years, winning three BCS championship during that span. The Crimson Tide has always been an intimidating defensive team throughout the eight-year reign of Nick Saban, but this year's campaign is unlike any other previous seasons.
Alabama's vaunted defense, which only allowed opponents to score an average of 16.6 points per game, is now coupled with a high-octane offense, thanks to the arrival of former USC head coach Lane Kiffin as its offensive coordinator.
Over 12 games, Kiffin transformed the Crimson Tide into an offensive juggernaut, ranking 23rd in the nation in passing yards per game (281.0) and 34th in rushing yard per game (209.5).
In short, Alabama is heading into Thursday's Bowl as a two-headed beast that devours any entity on its way to championship heartland. But like any other titular match, the All-Star Sugar Bowl also features an underdog daring enough to slay an Elephant-size favorite.
After roughly 12 painful years of tinkering, the Buckeyes returned to championship contention despite a slew of injuries that shortened the campaign of their starting quarterback Braxton Miller and JT Barrett.
Cardale Jones, who entered the season as the third stringer quarterback, was the one who led the Buckeyes to their most impressive, and undoubtedly, the most important victory of the season against the Wisconsin Badgers 59-0 to sneak into the College Football playoff picture as the no.4 seed.
David vs. Goliath
Alabama is the overwhelming favorite possessing all kinds of tools to turn their showdown with the Buckeyes into a one-sided joust. However, nobody counts out the experience of head coach Urban Meyer, who was the driving force of National Championships with the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2008.
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