You won't miss a play as the megablog keeps fans up to the minute from Ohio State's showdown with Alabama.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the space of a few short hours, Ohio State dampened that "S-E-C" chant to a mere whisper Thursday night into Friday at the Sugar Bowl.
The Buckeyes' 42-35 triumph over Alabama was a surging tidal wave of big plays and occasional blunders by both teams -- but the 13-1 Buckeyes are now bound for the Jan. 12 CFB title game against Oregon, which ravaged the defending champion Seminoles in the Rose Bowl's second half.
Tonight, the megablog kept a close eye on everything under the roof of the Superdome, including reports from cleveland.com and Plain Dealer reporters and columnists, along with observations around the college football world.
1:04 a.m.: Just to make sure, it's Jan. 12 in JerryWorld outside Dallas, Ohio State vs. Oregon at 8:30 p.m., on ESPN.
1 a.m.: Some final Twitter observations as we close up shop.
12:53 a.m.: From Doug Lesmerises on the game:
"In a new era of the College Football Playoff, in a third year of the Urban Meyer era in Columbus and the SEC style he brought to the Big Ten, the No. 4 Buckeyes (13-1) announced themselves again with a 42-35 victory over No. 1 Alabama in a playoff semifinal in the Sugar Bowl. The Buckeyes move on to the first College Football Playoff National Championship against No. 2 Oregon on Jan. 12 in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys."
12:48 a.m.: After the Buckeyes share the alma mater with OSU fans, the celebration continues on the field.
Final: Ohio State 42, Alabama 35
12:42 a.m.: On first down, Sims to TE OJ Howard for six, clock running. On second-and-4, Sims to Black for no gain, clock running. Sims to De'Andrew White for eight and a first down at the 38.
Sims scrambles to the 50, clock runs under 20 seconds and Sims hits Howard for eight with 15 seconds left. Hail Mary time.
On second down, Sims to White incomplete at the 2, defended by Eli Apple. Eight seconds left. On third down, Sims lobs deep and intercepted by Tyvis Powell, returns to the 30 as the clock expires.
12:38 a.m.: Jones to throw long??? Incomplete to Spencer, burning just seven seconds with good coverage by Cyrus Jones. Now Bama can use its timeouts and get over a minute left.
OSU timeout with 1:50 remaining.
On second-and-10, Curtis Samuel around left end for one. Second Alabama timeout with 1:44 left.
On third-and-9, Jones backpedals and is sacked at the OSU 39. Third Bama timeout with 1:39 left.
Johnston punt fair caught at the Bama 16 by Jones.
12:33 a.m.: Here comes the onside kick, Bama gets the very high bounce, but Evan Spencer corrals it at the OSU 49.
Ohio State 42, Alabama 35, 1:59 left in fourth quarter
12:31 a.m.: A lot to do and not much time to do it, Bama starts on its 35 after good Christian Jones return.
Sims on throwback incomplete, OSU's Steve Miller was all over the receiver. On second-and-10, Sims finds wide-open De'Andre White for 51 yards to the OSU 14.
Middle screen to Henry is incomplete. Clock at 2:38. On second down, Sims rushed hard and throws ball away. On third-and-10, Sims to Chris Black for eight, with big hit from Vonn Bell preventing the first down. On fourth-and-2, Bama very slow with play call with clock running, Sims to Cooper for the touchdown with 1:59 left.
Luke Fickell wanted a timeout, didn't get it before the snap.
Ohio State 42, Alabama 28, 3:24 left in fourth quarter
12:24 a.m.: Can OSU get a few first downs? At the 5, Elliott up the middle for four. On second-and-6, Jones keeps left for five. It's been over 16 minutes since OSU had a first down. On third-and-1, Jones spins off a hit for a first down just beyond the 15 with 4:02 left. Alabama S Landon Collins injured again, helped to sideline.
How soon does Alabama use timeouts? Clock running, OSU lets it run to 3:37 Elliott ends the suspense with an 85-yard sprint down the left sideline.
Jones to Thomas for the two-point conversion and a 14-point lead.
12:17 a.m.: On first down, Sims keeps and gains five. Again, no Derrick Henry. On second-and-5, late personnel change forces Bama's first timeout with 8:08 left.
On next snap, Henry up the middle for five and a first down at the OSU 45.
On first down, Henry cuts left and gets four. On second-and-6, Sims chased out of pocket by Joey Bosa, gains one up the middle. On third-and-5, QB draw loses three with Derron Lee blitzing and engulfing Sims.
Bama plays field position with Kelly, whose punt bounces inside the 10, downed at the 5 with 5:24 left.
12:10 a.m.: Jones nearly sacked for safety, struggles to 4 for four-yard loss. On second-and-14, incomplete left for Spencer. Why neither team wants to run in critical situations is a question ... on third-and-14, Jones rolls right, incomplete to Michael Thomas. Burned less than a minute off the clock on the possession.
After 21-yard punt, Johnston is hit on the punt, but it's a five-yard call, not 15. OSU declines and it's Alabama ball at its 45 with 8:46 left.
12:03 p.m.: A glorious chance for the Tide at the end of the red zone. On first down, Sims rolls right, looks deep for O.J. Howard, intercepted by Vonn Bell at the 2, returned to the 8. Ball was badly underthrown.
12:02 a.m.: How much will OSU gamble with Jones deep in their own territory?
On first down, Jones sacked by DJ Pettway at the OSU 4. Jones lucky not to fumble. On second-and-15, Elliott up the middle for a yard. LB Reggie Ragland needs attention after the head-first collision with Elliott. Led immediately to locker room. On third-and-14,
Jones goes deep left for Devin Smith, incomplete with tight coverage by Cyrus Jones, who got his head around in time to avoid interference call.
OSU flagged for delay of game. Ball to 3. Cam Johnston at back of end zone, and OSU called for false start. Ball inside the 2. Johnston punt hits the 32 and leaps backward, downed at the OSU 23.
11:54 p.m.: Derrick Henry for seven and three yards for a first down at the 36 -- Michael Bennett loses helmet and has to leave for a play.
On first down Sims fakes a run right, then flips to Cooper for 11 yards and a first down at the 47.
On first down, Sims scrambles, avoids a big loss but still loses two on good hustle by Darron Lee. On second-and-12, Sims' arm isn't strong enough to throw across the field to Cooper on the right sideline, incomplete. On third-and-12, middle screen to Henry gets two, Curtis Grant on the tackle.
Given a chance to pin the Buckeyes deep, Bama punter Kelly fair caught by Marshall at the OSU 9 -- nearly misjudges it and needs a staggering overhand catch to secure the ball.
11:49 p.m.: On third-and-3 for OSU at its 32, Jones draw snuffed by DE Jonathan Allen
for loss of five. Johnston punt is fair caught by Christian Jones at the Bama 26.
Ohio State 34, Alabama 28, end of third quarter
11:45 p.m.: OSU starts at 25 after touchback.
Jones keeper up the middle for five. On second-and-5, Elliott around right end for two.
End of quarter.
Ohio State 34, Alabama 28, 1:01 left in third quarter
11:40 p.m.: Corey Smith's special team tackle -- yes, that's been typed earlier tonight -- puts Alabama on its own 16.
Sims to nobody on the right side, out of bounds. Amari Cooper cut the route off. On second-and-10 and a rout just moments away, Sims hits Cooper at the 31 for 15 yards.
Middle screen to Derrick Henry breaks loose for 42 yards to the OSU 17.
On first down, T.J. Yeldon reverses field to the right for seven yards. On second-and-3, Yeldon for five yards and first down at the 5.
Sims lob for TE Vogler incomplete at the 1. DE Rashad Frazier make the throw difficult with a hard charge. On second down, Sims QB draw up the middle for the touchdown -- brilliantly predicted seconds before the snap by ESPN's Todd Blackledge.
Ohio State 34, Alabama 21, 3:21 left in third quarter
11:31 p.m.: With Alabama backed to its goal line, OSU is now a 56 percent favorite to win according to win probability. No, I didn't invent the Gambletron2000.
With eight OSU defenders in the box, Yeldon gets one up the middle. On second-and-9, Yeldon gets a good lead block and spurts 10 yards up the middle for a first down at the 12.
Derrick Henry hasn't been seen in a while, and gets 21 around left end to the Bama 33.
On first down, misdirection flip to FB Jalston Fowler for four. Adolphus Washington and Michael Bennett stop Henry for loss of two on second down. On third-and-6, Sims intercepted by DE Steve Miller, who runs it back 41 yards for a touchdown. Miller was dropped back in zone coverage and beat an attempted short slant to Amari Cooper.
11:23 p.m.: Ohio State can put stiff pressure on Alabama now with another scoring drive.
At his 5, Jones hands to Elliott for four up the middle. On second-and-6, Jones keeps on zone read with Elliott, overpowering the Bama defensive line for six and the first down at the 15.
On first down, Elliott outruns the Alabama defense around right end, gaining seven. Defenders were in place, but unable to corral him. On second-and-3, Jones is nearly intercepted by Alabama CB Cyrus Jones, who drops the pick at the OSU 19. On third-and-3, of course it's Jones up the middle, and of course he has an easy 12 yards to the 34.
On first down, Jones to Spencer on the right side for seven and Alabama is as befuddled as Florida State was by Oregon. On second-and-3, Elliott up the middle for two. On third-and-1, OSU trickery on WR sweep by Noah Brown loses three yards.
Cameron Johnston's punt downed at the Alabama 1 by Devin Smith.
11:15 p.m.: Kickoff returned to 19, and it's a desperate series for Alabama.
Sims scrambles on first down for 18 yards to the 37. T.J. Yeldon around left end for nine on first down. On second-and-1, Sims rolls right and is sacked by blitzing LB Darron Lee, loss of seven. On third-and-8, Buckeyes rush just four, and Michael Bennett sacks Simms at the 30.
J.K. Kelly punt gets stern OSU punt rush, but no one to catch the ball, which rolls dead at the OSU 5.
Ohio State 27, Alabama 21, 12:44 left in third quarter
11:11 p.m.: Jacoby Boren back in at center. First down pass Jones to Thomas for 11 yards. At the OSU 36, Jones to Thomas on the left side for eight. On second-and-2, Elliott up the middle for six yards and a first down at the Alabama 49.
On first down, Jones deep for Corey Smith incomplete at the Bama 8, Smith had his hands on it. On second-and-10, jet sweep right by Marshall gains one and is decleated by Reggie Ragland -- helmet off and he misses a play. On third-and-9, Jones to Devin Smith for 47-yard score -- Alabama flagged for facemask, to be enforced on kickoff.
Eddie Jackson falls down at the 10, Smith waltzes into the end zone.
11:05 p.m.: You know, the Rose Bowl was close at halftime, too -- and it seems like OSU might have a little Oregon left in them for the second half.
Alabama kickoff is a touchback by Curtis Samuel. We're off.
11:03 p.m.: No worries Buckeyes ... a Cy Young winner is in your corner!
10:55 p.m.: Most misleading stat of the first half, Cardale Jones eight carries for 39 yards. That includes sacks in college statistics -- Jones' overpowering scrambles has deflated the Bama defense and set up the OSU second-quarter comeback.
He's 13-of-24 for 168 yards with an interception.
10:46 p.m.: In win probability stats, OSU had only a 5.6 percent chance of winning when Alabama grabbed a 21-6 lead. At halftime, the Buckeyes are given a 33.5 percent chance.
Just guessing that the Vegas sharpies might be liking OSU a little more than that in the halftime wagering.
Halftime: Alabama 21, Ohio State 20
10:40 p.m.: Tide takes a knee and Buckeyes carry all the momentum into the second half.
Alabama 21, Ohio State 20, 0:12 left in second quarter
10:37 p.m.: OSU has 92 seconds, Jones to Thomas for 12 yards. Thomas leaves with cramps with 1:24 left.
First down at the OSU 37, Jones to Corey Smith for four with Bama in deep zone. On second-and-6, Jones hits Vannett over middle for 19 to the Bama 40. Clock running as Jones scrambles up the middle for 27, overpowering the Bama tackles and reaching the Bama 13. OSU doesn't take timeout, and Jones eventually throws the first down pass away with 19 seconds remaining.
On second down, OSU calls timeout with formation confusion.
Jones hands to Marshall, who flips to Evan Spencer, who finds Michael Thomas for a leaping catch and his left foot stays in bounds for the touchdown with 12 seconds left. Play reviewed, and confirmed.
OSU won't worry about tie, kicks PAT. OSU gets ball first in second half.
10:30 p.m.: More great special team coverage by OSU and Bama starts on its 10.
How aggressive is Bama with 2:51 left? Sims to Cooper on left side, breaks a tackle for six yards. On second-and-4, Smith to De'Andrew White for a yard, nice shoetop tackle by Darron Lee. On third-and-3, White drops a first-down pass at the 27.
Fourth three-and-out by Bama. Scott's punt covers 62 yards, fair caught at the OSU 24 by Marshall.
Alabama 21, Ohio State 13, 2:55 left in second quarter
10:24 p.m.: On second-and-goal at the 6, Elliott's first carry in goal-line situation good for two yards. OSU center Jacoby Boren hobbling with right leg injury, helped off field. Chase Ferris to guard, Pat Elflein to center. On third down at the 4, Elliott up the middle for the touchdown.
OSU declines a two-point attempt, takes the PAT.
10:18 p.m.: Curtis Samuel nearly beheaded on kickoff return to the OSU 13, but Bama's Maurice Smith penalized 15 yards for taunting. Ball to 29.
Elliott for a yard. On second-and-9, Elliott loses a yard on nice tackle by D.J. Pettway. OSU flagged for procedure, declined. On third-and-10, Jones finds wide-open Marshall at the Bama 45 for 26.
On first down, Elliott flagged for false start. Jones to Elliott for six yards. On second-and-9, Jones' throw for Corey Smith well-defensed and knocked away by CB Eddie Jackson on right sideline. On third-and-9, Jones deep middle to Marshall at the Bama 18 -- working in slot against Alabama safeties.
Jones incomplete to Marshall in end zone on first down. On second-and-10, swing pass to Elliott on left sideline for 11, breaking a couple of tackles.
First down at 7, Elliott over right guard for one. On second down, Jones rolls left throws back to Vannett and Bama's Jackson flagged for interference -- read the play but collided with Vannett. First down at the 5.
Marshall around right side loses a yard on tackle by Trey DePriest. Bama S Landon Collins down with right shoulder/arm injury.
Alabama 21, Ohio State 6, 8:07 left in second quarter
10:05 p.m.: Sims on first down at the OSU 15 hits TE Brian Vogler twice for five and four yards. On third-and-1, Yeldon over right guard stuffed by Joshua Perry for a foot. Alabama goes for it inside the 6. Yeldon gets three over left guard on fourth down -- OSU line seemed confused before the snap.
On first down, Yeldon cuts left and walks into the end zone.
10:02 p.m.: Elliott is pounding away, with nine on first down to the 14. Jalin Marshall over right side for a first down at the 15.
Jones flushed from pocket on play action, throws to Michael Thomas on right sideline for no gain. On second-and-10, Jones in empty backfield has pass deflected in pocket by DT A'Shawn Robinson. On third-and-10, Bama shows five at the line, sends corner blitz but Jones is undisturbed and hits Michael Thomas for 14.
At OSU 29, Elliott up the middle for two. On second down, Jones is well short of Devin Smith on left side, intercepted by Cyrus Jones at the OSU 47, returned to the OSU 15.
9:55 p.m.: Nifty shoestring catch by Cooper on the right side for seven. Second down pass to Cooper on the left side for no gain on nice tackle by LB Darron Lee. On third-and-3, slow draw to Yeldon stopped for a yard by Bosa and Bennett up the middle. Important OSU defensive stand right here.
Bama called for delay of game -- Bama doesn't use last timeout to prevent penalty. J.K. Scott's punt fair caught by Marshall at the OSU 5 -- 53 yards after a 73-yarder earlier. That's a weapon.
9:52 p.m.: Cam Johnson's punt from inside the OSU 5 caught by Christian Jones at the Alabama 30 and returned to the 39.
Alabama 14, Ohio State 6, end of first quarter
9:48 p.m.: Curtis Samuel returns kickoff only to the OSU 12.
Eddie Jackson flies up on the Marshall sweep right, holding it to two yards. On second-and-8, Jones sacked by Xzavier Dickson on the OSU 2 -- a very charitable spot by the officials, who could have easily called it a safety. On third-and-20, Elliott for 12.
Jones looks real wobbly when he's not throwing deep or scrambling.
End of quarter.
Alabama 14, Ohio State 6, 2:06 left in first quarter
9:44 p.m.: Christian Jones returns kickoff to the Bama 20.
Counter pitch to Henry to the left side good for 12, with 15 more added on Eli Apple's late hit well OB.
First down at the 47, Henry gets eight over left tackle. Sims pass to DeAndrew White deflected by OSU DT Michael Bennett. On third-and-2, Bama calls second timeout with 4:18 left in first quarter.
Bama hurries to line on third down and gets Yeldon a good hole over the middle for seven yards to the OSU 36.
On first down, Henry thunders over left end for seven -- Alabama avoiding Joey Bosa on all runs. On second-and-3, Henry up the middle for four.
At OSU 25, Sims 10 yards to FB Jalston Fowler -- who was flanked wide right with Amari Cooper in the backfield. Clever. On first down, bootleg right and Sims has an easy throw to Cooper for a 15-yard TD. Doran Grant wasn't close.
Alabama 7, Ohio State 6, 5:12 left in first quarter
9:34 p.m.: OSU at the 25 after touchback.
Elliott gets redemption run on first down, getting 11 over left end. Nice answer.
Jones throwaway on first down when first option is covered. On second-and-10, Elliott doesn't find much up the middle, getting two. On third-and-8, Jones scrambles up the middle, fakes out one Alabama defensive lineman and gets 20 up the middle to Bama 42.
Jones throwing the ball is an issue, with another throw OB with no one open on first down. On second-and-10, keeper left by Jones for maybe a foot. On third-and-9, Bama sends six and Jones burns them with a looping throw to Devin Smith, who is OB at the Alabama 1.
Alabama timeout.
On first down, empty backfield for OSU, signalling keeper to the entire stadium. Jones fumbles the snap and loses seven on tackle by Landon Collins.
On second-and-goal at the 9, Jones to TE Nick Vannett for six. On third down at the 3, empty backfield again for Jones, who throws too hard for Marshall at the right goal line.
Nuernberger good from 21 yards.
Alabama 7, Ohio State 3, 9:25 left in first quarter
9:22 p.m.: Elliott fumbles after an eight-yard gain on a hit by Eddie Jackson, returned by Landon Collins to the OSU 33.
Sims up the middle on a QB keeper for eight. On second-and-2, Derrick Henry takes the ball left, the OSU defense follows Sims to the right and it's a 25-yard TD run for Alabama.
9:20 p.m.: Corey Smith's hustling tackle on the kickoff forces Alabama to start second possession on their 13.
Sims to Cooper for six on a comeback route on the right sideline. Derrick Henry loses a yard on a slip up the middle. On third-and-5, T.J. Yeldon returns to the backfield, but with a rumored ankle injury. Sims badly overthrows Cooper over the middle and looks like the version who labored in the first half vs. Auburn in November.
Scott's punt bounces over Jalin Marshall's head at the 20, bounces to the 10 before Marshall returns it to the 21 and absorbs a big hit.
Ohio State 3, Alabama 0, 11:32 left in first quarter
9:13 p.m.: On second down, OSU tries play-action counter to the left, with Jones overthrowing Spencer on the back line. On third down, Jones throws it away when Bama pressure collapses OSU line up the middle.
Sean Nuernberger's 22-yard field goal is good.
9:10 p.m.: Ezekiel Elliott off left tackle for four on first down. On second-and-6, Cardale Jones' lob to Evan Spencer is nearly an acrobatic catch, but bounces on the turf. On third down, Jones breaks a tackle for 12 yards on a scramble.
Jalin Marshall for 12 on first down. High tempo defused on a two-yard loss by Elliott on first down, putting the ball on the OSU 41. On second-and-12, Elliott breaks a tackle on a slow-developing sweep right for 54 leaping yards to the 6.
Jones keeper for one on first-and-goal. On second down, OSU loads up right side, then calls timeout.
9:04 p.m.: Fly sweep to Amari Cooper for five yards to start the game. Derrick Henry shut down by Joey Bosa for a two-yard gain. On third-and-3, Blake Sims lob to Cooper is a little too long down the left sideline. Doran Grant was snug in coverage.
Nice start for the OSU defense. J.K. Scott's punt grabbed on bounce by Jalin Marshall, who loses three yards to the 15.
9:01 p.m.: After a touchback, Bama starts on the 25, and away we go.
8:58 p.m.: Buckeyes call tails, win the toss, defer to the second half. Alabama takes the ball first.
Now, in the Rose Bowl the coin had an Oregon logo and a Florida State logo. They couldn't figure out how to do in it New Orleans?
8:55 p.m.: If Johnny Manziel can't read a blackboard in the Heisman House, it explains a lot, doesn't it?
8:52 p.m.: The win probability on the Sugar Bowl gives Alabama a 75 percent chance of winning, except for a notable brief five-point surge around 8:33 -- perhaps the pre-game band performances have a hidden effect?
8:49 p.m.: Finally, it's over in Pasadena, 59-20 Oregon. Consider how late it would have run if FSU had stayed remotely close?
8:46 p.m.: Because it's very difficult to tell Crimson from Scarlet from the roof of a stadium ...
8:42 p.m.: A little more food for thought on one of the Crimson Tide's brightest stars:
8:37 p.m.: Not saying that the national media has kinda glommed onto the playoff concept, but the only way cleveland.com OSU beat writer Ari Wasserman gets placed farther from the Superdome field is if they carve holes in the concrete roof.
8:34 p.m.: Ah, the business moxie of American commerce...
8:26 p.m.: It's been a massive Twitter night already, and that's without a close game in Pasadena. And may explode with Kirk Herbstreit's announcement that "Florida State has quit ... they've shut down the store."
And there's this NFL observation on Winston vs. Mariotta.
8:22 p.m.: An interesting point on tonight's game from Bill Livingston:
"The way the Crimson Tide will try to counter (OSU's offense) is to make Ohio State one-dimensional and take away the running game. All attempts to run the football come from the notion that the opposing players can be moved.
" 'What stood out to me was not only the size of them, (the starters average 6-4, 302 pounds) but then the fact that they have backups that were just as big and good and they have backups to the backups that were just as big and as good, and they played,' said Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman. 'And they didn't really miss a beat when those backups were in.'
"And while a running quarterback is the X-factor the defense has to account for, by reducing the chance to double-team someone such Devin Smith on the flanks, how much will the Buckeyes want to run Cardale Jones since the only backup is hybrid back and high school quarterback Jalin Marshall?
"Can they possibly put Jones at risk with a big running load?"
8:15 p.m.: You weren't thinking kickoff was really going to be at 8:30, right? It's been moved to 9 -- for now. Maybe 10 if Oregon scores 70 or more vs. Florida State.
There has to be considerable optimism tonight among OSU fans, especially given the meek performances offered by SEC West "powers" Mississippi State, Ole Miss and LSU in losses to Georgia Tech, TCU and Notre Dame. Wisconsin's OT win today vs. Auburn was just piling on a little.
Alabama, of course, labored to beat the Bulldogs and Tigers, and lost in Oxford to the Rebels. And outlasted Auburn in a shootout.
But -- as Lee Corso would say -- not so fast, my friend. The Crimson Tide, of course, wouldn't seem likely to shrink in the national spotlight.
Then again, who thought Cardale Jones would be Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett combined vs. Wisconsin? The Bucks started 9 and 9.5-point underdogs, but the line has narrowed to as low as 7.5 in some books this afternoon.
