>>Oregon, Ohio State Square Off In National Championship Game
(Arlington, TX) -- The first College Football Playoff national champion will be crowned tonight as second-ranked Oregon plays number-four Ohio State at AT&T Stadium. The Ducks advanced to the title game by blowing out third-ranked Florida State 59-20 in the Rose Bowl in one of two national semifinals. The Buckeyes stunned top-ranked Alabama 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl to win the other semifinal. Oregon is seeking its first national championship in football, while Ohio State is after its eighth national title and first since 2002.
Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota [[ mare-ee-OH-tuh ]], the Ducks are 13-and-1 on the season with their only loss coming against Arizona in early October. The Buckeyes are also 13-and-1 despite losing starting quarterback Braxton Miller to a shoulder injury before the season and backup QB J.T. Barrett to a broken ankle in the regular-season finale against Michigan. OSU hasn't missed a beat with third-stringer Cardale Jones, blasting Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten Championship Game before upsetting the top-ranked Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl.
>>Ducks' Carrington Suspended For Championship Game
(Dallas, TX) -- Oregon wide receiver Darren Carrington has reportedly been suspended for Monday's national championship game against Ohio State. According to multiple reports, Carrington failed an NCAA administered drug test. The redshirt freshman did not make the trip to Texas after testing positive for marijuana. Carrington had seven catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon's 59-20 win over Florida State.
>>Governors Make Bets On College Title Game
(Columbus, OH) -- The governors of Ohio and Oregon have a tasty bet on the winner of next week's College Football Playoff championship game. If Ohio State wins, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber will send his state's best beer, cheese and hazelnuts to Ohio Governor John Kasich. If the Buckeyes lose, Kasich will ship Columbus-brewed beer, lasagna from a favorite restaurant and chocolate Buckeyes. Ohio State meets Oregon in the title game Monday night.
>>Crimson Tide Trio Turning Pro
(Tuscaloosa, AL) -- A trio of Alabama Crimson Tide football players are going pro. Head coach Nick Saban [[ SAY-bin ]] says wide receiver and Heisman Trophy finalist Amari Cooper, running back T.J. Yeldon and defensive back Landon Collins are all declaring for the NFL Draft. Cooper won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver, finishing with 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. Yeldon was the Tide's second-leading rusher this season with 979 yards and 11 touchdowns. Collins tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Alabama went 12-and-2, losing to Ohio State in the national semifinals.
>>QB Hill To Transfer From Texas A&M
(Undated) -- Quarterback Kenny Hill will leave Texas A&M. ESPN reports Hill asked for a release from the school and is expected to transfer with TCU being the most likely landing spot. Hill began the year as the starter, taking over for Johnny Manziel. He was off to a hot start with 11 touchdowns in his first three games, but he eventually was suspended two games after freshman Kyle Allen took over. Hill ended with over 26-hundred yards, 23 TDs and eight interceptions.
