Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood hold the trophy after the Crimson Tide defeated Ohio State to win the national title on Monday, January 11.
Alabama rolls over Ohio State for college football title
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood hold the trophy after the Crimson Tide defeated Ohio State to win the national title on Monday, January 11.
Lynne Sladky/AP

Updated 0538 GMT (1338 HKT) January 12, 2021

It has been a difficult, trying season filled with canceled games and plenty of uncertainty, but college football was able to crown a champion Monday night.

And what a champion it is.

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24 to cap an undefeated season. It is Alabama's third national title since 2015 and the sixth for head coach Nick Saban since he took over the program in 2007.

This was Alabama's fifth title game in six years. The Tide (13-0) jumped out to a 35-17 halftime lead thanks to an impressive offensive performance by quarterback Mac Jones, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy last week, finished the first half with 12 catches, 215 yards and three touchdowns. He left the game with an injury early in the second half.

Jones finished 36-of-45 with 464 yards and five touchdowns. Harris had 79 rushing yards, 79 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

This was the first loss of the season for Ohio State, which wasn't even sure it would play this season until September. The Buckeyes (7-1) upset Clemson in the semifinals.

Alabama's Joshua McMillon celebrates after the Crimson Tide's victory.
Alabama's Joshua McMillon celebrates after the Crimson Tide's victory.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Saban is carried by offensive lineman Landon Dickerson after the final whistle. This is Saban's sixth title with the Crimson Tide. It is his seventh title overall, counting a championship with LSU. No college coach has won more.
Saban is carried by offensive lineman Landon Dickerson after the final whistle. This is Saban's sixth title with the Crimson Tide. It is his seventh title overall, counting a championship with LSU. No college coach has won more.
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Fireworks explode over Hard Rock Stadium at the end of the game.
Fireworks explode over Hard Rock Stadium at the end of the game.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Ohio State's Xavier Johnson leaves the confetti-filled field after the game.
Ohio State's Xavier Johnson leaves the confetti-filled field after the game.
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Alabama players celebrate the big win.
Alabama players celebrate the big win.
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Ohio State players watch from the sidelines late in the second half.
Ohio State players watch from the sidelines late in the second half.
Lynne Sladky/AP
Alabama running back Najee Harris carries the ball during the fourth quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris carries the ball during the fourth quarter.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones throws a third-quarter pass. He finished with 464 passing yards and five touchdowns.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones throws a third-quarter pass. He finished with 464 passing yards and five touchdowns.
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Ohio State fans cheer wide receiver Garrett Wilson after a third-quarter touchdown.
Ohio State fans cheer wide receiver Garrett Wilson after a third-quarter touchdown.
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Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields finished with 194 passing yards and 67 rushing yards.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields finished with 194 passing yards and 67 rushing yards.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith slips past Ohio State cornerback Marcus Williamson during the first half. Smith, this year's Heisman Trophy winner, finished the first half with 12 catches, 215 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide held a 35-17 lead.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith slips past Ohio State cornerback Marcus Williamson during the first half. Smith, this year's Heisman Trophy winner, finished the first half with 12 catches, 215 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide held a 35-17 lead.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle smashes into Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert in the first half. Battle was called for targeting on the play, disqualifying him for the rest of the game.
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle smashes into Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert in the first half. Battle was called for targeting on the play, disqualifying him for the rest of the game.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
An Ohio State fan reacts after Smith scored one of his three first-half touchdowns.
An Ohio State fan reacts after Smith scored one of his three first-half touchdowns.
Lynne Sladky/AP
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch breaks up a pass intended for Javon Baker.
Alabama defensive back Brian Branch breaks up a pass intended for Javon Baker.
Lynne Sladky/AP
Jones waits for a first-half snap.
Jones waits for a first-half snap.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Harris reaches back to make a catch before rumbling in for a 26-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Harris reaches back to make a catch before rumbling in for a 26-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning forces Jones to fumble in the first half.
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning forces Jones to fumble in the first half.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Fans are socially distanced at Hard Rock Stadium. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was expected to host fewer than 20,000 fans.
Fans are socially distanced at Hard Rock Stadium. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, was expected to host fewer than 20,000 fans.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Ruckert makes a one-handed catch in the first quarter.
Ruckert makes a one-handed catch in the first quarter.
Chris O'Meara/AP
Ohio State running back Master Teague III runs for an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The game was tied 7-7 after the first.
Ohio State running back Master Teague III runs for an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The game was tied 7-7 after the first.
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Harris opens the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play.
Harris opens the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play.
Kim Klement/USA Today Sports
Saban, left, greets Ohio State head coach Ryan Day before kickoff. This was Day's second full season as head coach of the Buckeyes.
Saban, left, greets Ohio State head coach Ryan Day before kickoff. This was Day's second full season as head coach of the Buckeyes.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Ohio State takes the field for the big game.
Ohio State takes the field for the big game.
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