semifinal thrashing of Clemson. The Buckeyes and Crimson Tide traveled different paths to get to Monday's title game at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida, but both had to navigate the challenges of a pandemic-altered season “I know this has been a little bit of a trying year for a lot of folks,” Nick Saban, the top-ranked Crimson Tide's coach, said Monday.It's not a finale that could be taken for granted.No.
3 Ohio State’s odyssey included an abbreviated Big Ten season with three games canceled because of COVID-19 issues, including the Buckeyes' own outbreak.“This team, this program, we persevered through so much,” Ohio State running back Trey Sermon said Monday. "To have the opportunity to play on such a big stage, it means a lot to.