The Ohio State Buckeyes were an underdog in the Big-10 Championship Game, and they took the Badgers behind the woodshed for an old fashion butt-whuppin' winning 52-0. Then in the Sugar Bowl they were an even bigger dog, and they knocked off an Alabama team that many considered to be the best in the country. Now we see the Buckeyes playing Oregon in the National Championship Game, and once again they are a big dog. No doubt about it, I'll take the points.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. OSU Defense - The Buckeyes picked off Alabama QB Blake Sims three times in the Sugar Bowl. They had 24 interceptions during the regular season, two fewer than the league leaders (TCU, LOU, LATECH).

2. Ezekiel Elliot - He ran for 230 yards and a pair of TDs on just 20 carries, an impressive showing against a very tough Crimson Tide defense.

3. X-Factor - The Buckeyes are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 vs. Pac-12.

Selection: This is a play on the OSU Buckeyes (10*)