World News – USA – Alabama and Ohio State reach national title game with runaway wins

Notre Dame never really threatened the Crimson Tide in the college football playoff semifinals, and then the state of Ohio rolled over Clemson.

As Alabama ran back and Najee Harris took a handoff, dumped outside and walked onto the field, he was confronted by Notre Dame cornerback Nick McCloud, who walked toward him with his shoulder bowed.

It doesn’t matter. Harris, a 6-foot-2,29-pound senior, treated McCloud like an oversized fire hydrant, jumping over him with the clean, syncopated step of an Olympic hurdler, and galloping down the sidelines.

The game was the defining moment for Alabama’s 31:14 win over Notre Dame in a college football playoff semi-final on Friday night in Arlington, Texas – Harris’ elegant athleticism embodied the ease with which the Crimson Tide dispatched the Fighting Irish.

The win confirmed the legitimacy of Alabama’s return to the top of the college football rankings after missing the four-team playoffs for the first time last season. The senior Crimson Tide went through a schedule just for the Southeastern Conference, outpaced a die-hard team from Florida in the conference title game, and has now advanced to Jan. 11 championship against Ohio State, which throttled Clemson, 49-28, in the other semifinals on Friday.

This matchup would not have been a big surprise last summer – the teams were ranked No.. 1 classified. 2 and 3 at the start of the season – but the Buckeyes’ presence in the playoffs is particularly fitting.

This disjointed pandemic season, her trainer Ryan Day and quarterback Justin Fields spearheaded a campaign that convinced the Big Ten presidents to reverse course after canceling the season in August.

What finalist could better portray how disruptive the coronavirus was than a team that only played five games in the regular season – three were canceled due to outbreaks – and therefore needed a Big Ten dispute to play for the conference title ?

That shortened schedule, just over half the season for the other semi-finalists, led some coaches to question whether the state of Ohio should have been selected for the four-team playoffs – including Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, who runs the Buckeyes the last trainer survey took 11th place.

Ohio State may have considered that minor, but it already had more organic motivation in Friday’s game – it avenged a devastating 29-23 loss to the Tigers in last season’s semifinals, which was sealed when Fields late one Interception at the Clemson threw end zone.

This litter was one of many regrets back then. It was difficult for the Buckeyes to find a serious one in New Orleans on Friday night.

The only real concern might be that the physical pain will persist – Fields moved playfully but cautiously after Clemson linebacker James Skalski, who was ejected for aim, delivered a crushing blow to the ribs.

« That hit was really challenging, » Fields said in a television interview, later adding that he received an injection or two in the medical side tent during the game. “My ribs killed me most of the game. ”

The Buckeyes (7-0), who rolled a total of 639 yards, need all the firepower (and health) they can muster in 10 days.

Alabama’s dynamic offense involving quarterback Mac Jones, receiver DeVonta Smith and Harris, all of whom finished in the top five in the Heisman Trophy poll, was kept below 40 for the first time since the season opener. Even so, it shut down the field for touchdowns on its first three rides, and Notre Dame never really threatened the Crimson Tide.

Even though Harris had the highlight reel game, finishing a total of 125 yards rushing, Smith revealed why he is the supposed favorite to win the Heisman. On his first touch, he made a short pass at the border and used a textbook pad from John Metchie III to scoot 26 yards for a touchdown. He ended with three touchdowns under his seven catches for 130 yards.

Meanwhile, Jones was usually nearly flawless, completing 25 of 30 passes for 297 yards.

The only person on Alabama’s sideline who was uncomfortable was trainer Nick Saban, who received a late unsportsmanlike sentence after being angry with officials.

« We didn’t finish the game the way we wanted, » said Saban in a television interview and added with a knowing smile: « I always have something to complain about. ”

« These guys really deserved the opportunity to play in the national championship game so we’ll see what we can do with it, » he said.

With Alabama (12-0) disposing of Notre Dame (10-2) with familiar efficiency, it wasn’t hard to recall the circumstances in which that game – and the entire season – took place in the middle of a pandemic that turned the sport on its head.

The logo in the middle of the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium was a familiar one on New Years Day – the red stylized Rose Bowl Game logo that usually adorns the stadium of the same name in Pasadena, California.

But this year, after Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly threatened to boycott the Rose Bowl because California health rules didn’t allow families to participate in the game, the Rose Bowl was relocated to Texas – the first time that he has not been playing Pasadena since 1942 when it was relocated to Durham, N. C.. . Shortly after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

The Fighting Irish have lost seven consecutive major bowl or playoff games since 2000, none of which were closer than 14 points.

« To be honest, we just needed more firepower. That’s it, ”said Kelly, pushing back against criticism of the recent history of his program. “There is no bigger story than that we made up a few pieces. ”

Clemson (10-2) finished his second straight season since 2015 despite winning two national championships and reaching two more title games, watching his defense carve out. The Tigers gave up 628 yards in their title game last season in a 42-25 loss to Louisiana State.

Fields, who passed 385 yards and six touchdowns and ran back Trey Sermon, who rushed to hit the Tigers for 193 yards, may not find it easy against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide is trying to atone for its own disappointment last season, and this season full of seizures and unexpected obstacles, it has managed to overcome every hurdle.

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