I still remember sitting in my living room that January night, watching the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship unfold with a mixture of anticipation and dread. As an Alabama fan who'd followed this team through every high and low, I knew this game against Ohio State would test everything we had. The pre-game analysis had been relentless - experts debating whether Justin Fields could overcome his rib injury, whether Mac Jones could maintain his incredible season, whether Nick Saban could secure his seventh national championship. But what struck me most was how the game's rhythm developed in those early quarters, reminding me of that coaching wisdom I'd heard before: "We were playing the pace that we wanted. Maybe in the fourth quarter, we would be able to get a break."
The first half unfolded with that exact philosophy in mind. Alabama came out methodical, almost calculating in their approach. Mac Jones completed 18 of his first 24 passes for 215 yards, connecting with Heisman winner DeVonta Smith on those beautiful crossing routes that seemed to slice through Ohio State's secondary. But what impressed me wasn't just the execution - it was the patience. Alabama wasn't trying to blow the doors off immediately. They were content to trade punches, to feel out the defense, to establish their tempo while conserving energy for when it would matter most. Ohio State kept pace remarkably well, with Justin Fields showing incredible toughness despite his injury, completing 12 of 18 passes for 165 yards in the first half alone. The score stood at 35-17 at halftime, and while Alabama led, you could feel the tension - this game was far from over.
What fascinated me as a former college analyst was how Alabama adjusted defensively in the third quarter. They began rotating their defensive linemen more frequently, keeping fresh legs on the field to combat Ohio State's powerful running game. The Buckeyes' Master Teague had been gashing us for 5.8 yards per carry in the first half, but those runs started getting shorter, more contested. Alabama's defensive coordinator Pete Golding made a subtle but crucial adjustment - he started bringing the safeties closer to the line on first down, daring Fields to beat us deep while his ribs were clearly bothering him. This is where that "pace" philosophy really showed its value. By controlling the tempo early, Alabama had forced Ohio State to play our game, and now we were reaping the benefits.
Then came the fourth quarter - the period where championships are truly won. "True enough, we played better defense in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter," and boy did that statement prove accurate. With about 12 minutes remaining and Alabama leading 45-24, the defense completely shifted gears. We started generating consistent pressure with just four rushers, allowing seven defenders to drop into coverage. On third down with 9:14 left, Christian Barmore - who I'd been critical of earlier in the season - sacked Fields for an 8-yard loss, forcing a punt that essentially sealed the game. That play exemplified the entire defensive transformation - we were fresher, more disciplined, and playing with the confidence that comes from knowing you've managed the game properly from the start.
Offensively, the fourth quarter became the Najee Harris show. The man who'd been grinding out 3-4 yard gains all game suddenly started breaking tackles and picking up huge chunks of yardage. His 13-yard touchdown run with 7:13 remaining wasn't just a spectacular individual effort - it was the culmination of Alabama's entire game plan. We'd worn down their front seven through three quarters of physical football, and now the holes were widening. Harris finished with 79 rushing yards in the fourth quarter alone, which still amazes me when I look back at the stats.
What many casual viewers might have missed was how Alabama's offensive line took over in those final minutes. They'd been good all game, but in the fourth quarter, they became dominant. Watching Alex Leatherwood and Deonte Brown open those running lanes felt like watching artists at work - precise, powerful, and utterly relentless. Ohio State's defense, which had been so stout early, simply couldn't match the physicality anymore. They'd been on the field for 83 plays by the time Harris scored his final touchdown, while Alabama's defense had only faced 72. That 11-play difference might not seem significant, but in championship football, it's everything.
The final score of 52-24 doesn't fully capture how competitive this game was for three quarters, nor does it highlight the strategic masterpiece Saban and his staff orchestrated. They understood that modern football isn't about overwhelming your opponent immediately - it's about controlling variables, managing energy, and positioning yourself to dominate when it matters most. Mac Jones finished with 464 passing yards and 5 touchdowns, DeVonta Smith caught 12 passes for 215 yards and 3 scores, and Harris totaled 3 touchdowns despite his relatively modest yardage until that explosive fourth quarter.
Looking back, this game reinforced my belief that championship football is as much about patience and pacing as it is about explosive plays. Alabama could have panicked when Ohio State kept answering early scores, but they trusted their process, maintained their composure, and ultimately proved that controlling the game's rhythm can be more valuable than simply racking up quick points. The 2021 national championship wasn't just a display of individual talent - it was a 60-minute lesson in strategic execution, with that critical fourth quarter serving as the perfect payoff for three quarters of disciplined, purposeful football.
