A Look Back At Tide's History With OSU Ahead Of CFP Title Matchup

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Convincing semifinal wins by the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0) and the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) Friday night will see the two historic programs face off in the College Football Playoff championship on Jan. 11. The Crimson Tide dominated No. 4 Notre Dame Friday in Dallas 31-14 to start the day, while the Buckeyes easily handled the No. 2 Clemson Tigers 49-28 in New Orleans later that night.

With a little more than a week until kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, here's a look back at the four previous times Alabama and Ohio State went head-to-head on the gridiron.

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Ohio State 42, Alabama 35 (Jan. 1, 2015)

• In a game filled with future NFL stars, the Urban Meyer-led Buckeyes — behind a 230-yard rushing performance by Ezekial Elliott — defeated the Tide in a back-and-forth slugfest at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. This marked the Buckeyes' first victory over the Crimson Tide in school history and set the tone ahead of their eventual national championship win over Oregon. Tide running back and Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry managed 95 yards and a touchdown in the game, while receiver Amari Cooper snagged nine catches for 71 yards and two scores.

Alabama 24, Ohio State 17 (Jan. 2, 1995)

• Following an undefeated regular season derailed by a loss to the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship, coach Gene Stallings and the Crimson Tide (11-1) took on the Buckeyes (9-3) in Orlando for the Florida Citrus Bowl. The game's marquee moment would come for Alabama by way of a game-winning 5o-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jay Barker to running back Sherman Williams with only 0:42 left. Williams was named the game's MVP following a stellar performance carrying the ball 27 times for 166 yards, while also catching eight passes for 155 yards and returning two kicks for 38 yards.

Alabama 16, Ohio State 10 (Aug. 27, 1986)

• A defensive showcase in the Chase Kickoff Classic to open the 1986 season in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, would see the Tide defeat the Buckeyes by scoring 10 points in the game's final frame to grab the lead. The Tide was coached by the late Ray Perkins, with future Alabama football coach Mike Shula at quarterback. In a game that featured future NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas, while All-American Cornelius Bennett was sidelined with a hamstring injury, Ohio State took a 7-6 lead going into the half, but it would be Shula and running back Gene Jelks paving the way to victory in the second half. According to a report in the New York Times following the game, each school was guaranteed a minimum payout of $550,000 for playing in the neutral site season-opener.

Alabama 35, Ohio State 6 (Jan. 2, 1978)

• In a game displaying the likes of two legendary coaches — Alabama's Paul W. "Bear" Bryant and OSU's Woody Hayes — the No. 3-ranked Crimson Tide (11-1) would coast behind 280 rushing yards to defeat the No. 8 Buckeyes (9-3) in the 1978 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans during the first matchup of the two storied programs. Alabama fullback Johnny Davis put in the work on the ground, rushing for 95 yards on 24 carries and a 5-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter. Tide rushing legends Tony Nathan and Major Ogilvie also tallied touchdown runs in the final quarter. Alabama quarterback Jeff Rutledge was named the game's MVP, throwing for 109 yards and two touchdowns to Bruce Bolton and Richard Neal.

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