(Podcast length 6:06 mins - the transcript is below)
Starting off 2021 with the second biggest football event of the year.
Transcript
1. The College Football National Championship Game is set between the Crimson Tide from Alabama (No. 1) and The Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 3). The game will take place where everyone wants to go in the winter – Miami on Monday, January 11. If necessary (and there’s a good possibility this could happen), the game would be pushed back to January 18. Both teams’ head coaches have had COVID, so all they can hope for is that you can’t get COVID twice. HOLDING OUR BREATH
2. Since it’s all about the Benjamins, a conference will receive $6 million for each team that is selected for the semifinal games. (Notre Dame, Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State played in the semifinals). Keep in mind that this money goes to the conferences, not the schools directly, to distribute as they see fit. These were the payouts originally promised, but they could be smaller after a season and playoffs without fans. WHO’S GOING TO PAY THE BILLS?
3. Because why not? There will be friends, family and fans in the stands in Miami. The schools were given 3,750 tickets each and there will be 16,000 fans in attendance. The fans will have a chance to see the newest Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith (wide receiver) from Alabama, as well as Heisman runner-up in ‘Bama quarterback Mac Jones. The Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields was a Heisman finalist in 2019 and is a darn good football player, but he didn’t play enough games to impress the Heisman voters this year. Fields is also battling an undisclosed injury, which is likely his ribs, an injury sustained in the semifinals. IN IT TO WIN IT
4. If you’re keeping score, Alabama has won as recently as 2017 and Ohio State, 2014. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is currently tied with legendary Alabama head coach Bear Bryant with the most Titles at six. If he wins this game, he will break the record. (Anyone remember all the Bear Bryant references in “Sweet Home Alabama?” It makes sense now). LIGHTBULB MOMENT
5. It’s been quite the rollercoaster season for Ohio State. In August, the Big Ten (their conference) cancelled the season, only to reverse the decision later. But they didn’t make it to the championship game without controversy. Ohio State didn’t play the necessary number of games to qualify for their conference championship game, but they got in anyway. (Their last game was cancelled due to COVID, and even if they would’ve played and lost, they still would’ve qualified for the conference championship. Now you know in case it comes up). STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM NOW WE’RE HERE
Sports Curious, presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of the conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy-to-understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon, so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table, or a networking event switches to sports.
You can always catch us between podcasts at www.lastnightsgame.com or on social media. If you love us, make sure to leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
