On Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 the Alabama Crimson Tide faced off against the Ohio State Buckeyes to establish which team will take home the National Championship Trophy and will be the most superior football team at the collegiate level. Coach Ryan Day, in only his second full season as head coach of the Buckeyes, faced his toughest challenge yet as he went head-to-head against Nick Saban, who many say is the best coach in college football. 

“Our team has been on a journey, just like so many other teams this year,” Day said. “Our guys are elated to be part of this, and, again, great challenge here. Coach Saban and his staff do an unbelievable job. It goes without saying, one of the best football coaches in the history of college football. And then their players — really good players — again, goes without saying.” 

Day was not wrong when he said that Alabama has “really good players,” for three of their starters, running back Najee Harris, quarterback Mac Jones, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, were all top five in the Heisman Trophy Race with Smith being the winner. Even though Smith received one of the most prestigious awards in college football, he still has his goals in order. 

“It’s very important, just because the two main reasons I came back was to get my degree and to win another National Championship,” Smith said. “So, I’ve checked one box, I’m just trying to check the other one now.” 

These three leaders and the top-ranked Roll Tide were simply just too much for the Buckeyes, as they lost the game 52-24. Even though Smith left the game early in the third quarter, he still put up a College Football Playoff Championship game-record of 215 yards and three touchdowns. Harris tied Smith’s three touchdowns with three of his own, and ran 79 yards on 22 rushes. Mac Jones led his team to victory by completing 36 of 45 passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns. 

“I’m just really proud of this team, from everybody, top down, the coaches, players obviously, and the fans for sticking with us all year,” Jones said. “We set this as a goal, to potentially be the greatest team to ever play. I think we made a valid statement in winning the national championship tonight. Who would have thought we would have won every game, all SEC schedule with everything going on. Then to finish off the last couple games the way we did, I’m just so proud of my teammates, the coaches, and everyone that supported us.”