DALLAS » Earthquakes in North Texas this past week proved — symbolically, at least — the ground-breaking significance of Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship between Oregon and Ohio State.

It is a matchup in styles, personalities and culture.

"The culture that Oregon has created is something I’ve studied in great detail, and I say culture because that’s what it is," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. "Ohio State has this culture, and so does Oregon, and so do all the great programs. Programs without culture, that’s when you start to see failure."

The Ducks run a spread-’em-out, fast-paced offense that is a color commentator’s nightmare. "It’s 16 seconds between snaps to 10 seconds," said Kirk Herbstreit, who will provide color analysis for ESPN’s telecast. "I call that the blood-in-the-water part of defending Oregon. You have no time to pout. You have no time to argue with a teammate because you just gave up a big play. You’d better forget that play and get lined up otherwise you’re going to give up another big play."

The Ducks arrived 12 minutes late for the scheduled start of Saturday’s interview session, an inadvertent statement that pace is situational. Quarterback Marcus Mariota said the Ducks’ tempo is "a huge weapon," but not a requirement. The Ducks can play at varying speeds.

"They do not do as much tempo as everyone says they do," OSU defensive tackle Michael Bennett said. "But when they do it, it is really fast. They try and take advantage of guys when they are looking over to the sideline not knowing what the call is or getting mad at each other for giving up a big play."

It is not just Oregon’s pace that causes fatigue. The Ducks often try to spread the offense with quick screens and hitches off Mariota’s three-step retreats. For the Ducks, those are rat-a-tat plays; for defenses, that means covering wider areas.

"If they see a defensive lineman with hands on his hips, they’re going to go uptempo," Bennett said.

The Buckeyes rely on a bruising offensive line known as the "Slobs" to open lanes for 1,600-yard rusher Ezekiel Elliott and provide protection for former third-string quarterback Cardale Jones. It is a balanced attack crafted by an offensive coordinator with an unbalanced life. Offensive coordinator Tom Herman recently was hired as Houston’s head coach. He is performing both jobs until becoming a full-time Cougar on Tuesday.

The Ducks counter with umbrella zones designed to cover deep routes while relying on gang-tackling underneath. The two ends — Waianae-raised DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead — try to bracket offenses. Tony Washington, an outside linebacker who acts like a rush end, adds pressure.

The Buckeyes’ defense has an inside-out approach, with the tackles — Adolphus Washington and Bennett — trying to stuff interior attacks. For all the Ducks’ perimeter plays, their key remains establishing an inside running game.

"I think we are ready for the challenge," Bennett said.

The Buckeyes will have to track Mariota, the Hawaii-raised Heisman Trophy winner. "Our biggest concern is the guy receiving the snap every play," Meyer said of Mariota. "I think he’s one of the finest that’s ever played the game, and that’s our biggest issue."

But Mariota will be without the Ducks’ second-best receiver, Darren Carrington, who is ineligible reportedly for failing an NCAA drug test. Using marijuana is an NCAA violation; in Oregon, voters passed a bill legalizing personal use of of recreational marijuana. Devon Allen, who has 44 receptions, is not expected to play because of a knee injury suffered in the Rose Bowl.

"It’s tough," Mariota said of the losses. "We have to get the next guy ready. (Carrington) is a huge playmaker for us, but at the same time, that receiving corps has so many playmakers for us."

The Buckeyes can relate to being short-handed. No. 1 quarterback Braxton Miller did not play this season because of a shoulder injury. J.T. Barrett led the Buckeyes until breaking an ankle against Michigan.

Jones, who ascended from No. 3, threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 59-0 rout of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. Jones then led the Buckeyes to a 45-35 victory over then-No. 1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Meyer and Herman gave Jones a no-frills game plan against Wisconsin. Jones’ menu expanded in the Sugar Bowl. For this game, Meyer said, "he’s got the keys to the car."

Jones is physically skilled — he can throw a football 50 yards while on his knees — but matured rapidly with the birth of his daughter, Chloe, in November.

"He pushed ‘restart,’ and he hit the right button," Meyer said, adding, "That’s one of the great stories in college football, and one of the great stories I’ve witnessed. Like I’ve told people, of all the things that my children learn in school, I want them to read about the case study of Cardale Jones because he’s a great one. It’s a great one for everybody to read and learn from."