Despite a deadly pandemic that's been ravaging America for almost a year, the 2020 college football season somehow managed to make it past all the outbreaks, postponements and cancellations of games played by athletes who risked their lives and scholarships in empty stadiums for the benefit of you watching from home.
Nearly 15,000 masked and socially distanced patrons made their way into Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Monday night to watch the Alabama Crimson Tide win the College Football Playoff championship, pummeling Ohio State's Buckeyes 52-24. Heisman Trophy winner DeVanta Smith had a night for the Tide, scoring three touchdowns and running for 215 yards in the first half alone. Quarterback Mac James threw for five touchdown passes. Najee Harris scored three of his own.
This was Alabama's sixth national championship in over a decade, having completed an undefeated (13-0) season playing mostly SEC conference opponents due to the pandemic. Coach Nick Saban made a little history too, with his seventh national title (the first was at LSU) surpassing another Tide legend, Paul William "Bear" Bryant.
Before getting run off the field by Alabama, there was some question as to whether Ohio State should have been in the CFP in the first place. Because of game cancellations during the season due to COVID-19 (including one with hated rival Michigan), the Buckeyes found themselves two games short of bowl eligibility. But because they are The Ohio State University, the Big Ten found a way for them to play in the conference's championship game at Indianapolis against Northwestern. The Buckeyes won the game, and the chance to be the conference's representative in the CFP. They surprised a few folks by defeating defending champion Clemson at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, while Alabama took down Notre Dame at the Rose Bowl (at Arlington, TX. Don't ask.).
So Alabama wins another football title. This has been going on for so many years that critics have advocated expanding the College Football Playoff to at least eight teams, for variety's sake. It won't happen for another five years, because that's how long ESPN's TV contract has to run. Sure, what's another five years of Clemson vs. Alabama for the national championship? Players come and go, but coaches always get their money. Pandemic or no pandemic.
