The story lines for Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game are what fans would hope for every season.
Alabama and Ohio State are two of the sport’s traditional powers that have won national championships and Heisman Trophies across decades dating to the middle of the last century.
The programs have only met four times with the last game coming six years ago in the playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl when the Buckeyes prevailed.
Star power will be on display. Alabama has three of the top five finishers in the Heisman Trophy race, including winner DeVonta Smith.