ARLINGTON, Texas – We’re finally at a point in the season where a victor will be crowned. It’s the first year of the College Football Playoff, and either Oregon or Ohio State are set to become the first national champion that had to play 15 games to get there. The date – Jan. 12 – also marks the latest major college football game in the modern era.
Oregon’s high powered offense led by Marcus Mariota rank third in the nation in total offense (552.9 yards per game) and will be up against a Buckeyes defense allowing just 333.6 per game. The same type of matchup will occur when Ohio State has the ball.
Over the last two games running back Ezekiel Elliot has averaged 225 rushing yards, and the Oregon defense is coming off a game against Florida State, in which they forced five turnovers.
Here’s a quick look at what to watch for in tonight’s inaugural College Football Playoff final at AT&T Stadium:
Oregon wide receiver Darren Carrington suspended:
Darren Carrington was in the beginning process of making a name for himself. The redshirt freshman hauled in 14 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games, including a 7-catch, 165-yard performance in the Rose Bowl. However, it was reported Friday that Carrington was suspended for Monday night’s game because of a failed NCAA mandated drug test.
In addition, Devon Allen will miss his first game of the season after injuring his knee in Oregon’s Rose Bowl date with Florida State. That leaves the Ducks with Keanon Lowe and Dwayne Stanford out wide likely, as well as Charles Nelson and Byron Marshall in the slot. Elsewhere, the experience at receiver is nowhere to be found. Marshall has 66 catches for 834 yards and five touchdowns this season.
A matchup by the numbers:
– Ohio State has forced 32 turnovers this season and ranks sixth in the nation in that category. On the other hand,  Oregon has committed the fewest (10). In addition, Mariota has only thrown three interceptions all season, but will be facing a Buckeyes defense that has forced 24.
– Ohio State is averaging 262.2 yards rushing per game and 5.8 yards per carry this season. Oregon’s defense is allowing 156.1 yards rushing and 4.2 yards per carry.
– In two starts, Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones has passed for 500 yards and four touchdowns while leading offensive attack that has ran roughshod on those two opponents. He’ll be the first backup quarterback since 1999 to start in a game with national championship implications. Florida State backup quarterback Marcus Outzen started in place of Chris Weinke and completed 9 0f 22 passes for 145 yards.
– Tonight’s winner will become the seventh team in FBS history to win 14 games in a single season. Oregon could become the 25th school to have a Heisman winner and win the national championship in the same season.
– Ohio State leads the all-time series 8-0. This will be the first meeting between the team since 2009, when Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor led the Buckeyes to a 26-17 victory at the 2009 Rose Bowl.
– Oregon won the first ever NCAA Basketball tournament in 1939. The team it beat – Ohio State. The final score of the game was 46-33, and 76 years later the two converge in the first ever college football national championship in which a tournament decides it.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise