Before Alabama won the Joe Moore Award for being the best offensive line in college football, the Crimson Tide looked forward to the challenge against Notre Dame last week. Now that that matchup has been decided, another one awaits for the national championship against Ohio State.

Offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood is aware of the veterans the Buckeyes have in the front seven and how Alabama won’t be able to trick them with any new schemes or wrinkles. Leatherwood said the excitement level goes, “way through the roof,” as he looks forward to the matchup.

“Not saying we’re not excited for any game or any opponent we’re playing, but we’re just competitors, you know what I mean,” Leatherwood said. “We love to compete and we’re going to step up to the challenge, and we’re going to see if they want to play football.”

Leatherwood said Alabama needs to attack Ohio State directly because the Buckeyes are smart and good at what they do.

“So it’s just going to be like mano e mano,” he said.

Leatherwood bypassed the NFL Draft last season to return to Alabama and now he’ll play for the national championship in his home state of Florida. Leatherwood said he has told teammates about “unfinished business.”

“I’m a senior and I’ve played a lot of football here. This whole week, I’ve been telling guys to seize every opportunity this week to get better,” he said.