2015 National Championship Game Picks: Offensive MVP Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2015 National Championship Game Picks: Offensive MVP Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: While every player for Oregon and Ohio State will be focused on winning a national title when they take the field Monday, one player will also be fortunate enough to earn Offensive MVP honors. Needless to say, playing for the winning team is basically a must to earn the award, and historically, quarterbacks and running backs have dominated the award. Last year, Florida State QB Jameis Winston picked up MVP honors, and before the first-ever college football playoff title game kicks off, here is a closer at the players that could grab Offensive MVP honors.

The Favorites

He already won the Heisman Memorial Trophy, and now, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota will try to add another major award to his resume. He is the dual-threat weapon that runs the Ducks’ high-powered offense attack, and after his performance in the Rose Bowl, he has accounted for 55 total touchdowns and more than 4,800 total yards this year. He is without a doubt the frontrunner to take home Offensive MVP honors if Oregon wins.

Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott has been stout all year, tallying 1,632 yards and 14 scores. However, he has really stepped up since QB J.T. Barrett was lost for the year, running for 220 yards and two scores in the Big Ten title game and 230 yards and two scores in the Sugar Bowl. Urban Meyer has clearly decided to try to ride Elliott to a championship, and if he delivers another big performance, Offensive MVP honors seem likely.

The Contenders

The unsung hero for the Oregon offense is freshman RB Royce Freeman. He has run for 1,343 yards and 18 scores and is the muscle between the tackles on early downs for the Ducks’ powerful offense. Freeman helps ensure that the Ducks operate in manageable yardage, and he can finish off drives when the field gets narrowed around the goal line. More importantly, he makes sure defenses can focus solely on stopping QB Marcus Mariota. If Ohio State chooses to sell out to stop Mariota, Freeman could power his way to Offensive MVP honors.

Since being thrown into action, all third-string QB Cardale Jones has done is thrown for 500 yards and four scores and rushed for 52 yards in victories over Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game and Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. He has a huge arm to stretch the field, and he has a huge, powerful frame to move the chains with his legs. If Jones connects on a few big plays that tip the scales in favor of the Buckeyes, he could walk away with the Offensive MVP Award.

The Sleeper

He was a quarterback coming out of high school, but Jalin Marshall has converted to an all-purpose offensive weapon since arriving in Columbus. He carries the ball out of the backfield, stretches the field in the passing game, returns punts and even throws an occasional pass. Marshall has delivered a variety of big plays, especially in the second half of the year. If he is responsible for a couple of game-changing big plays Monday, he could be the surprise Offensive MVP of the title game.