Ohio State vs. Alabama: Breaking Down Key Matchups in Sugar Bowl 2015

There's a reason the Alabama Crimson Tide are nine-point favorites heading into their Sugar Bowl battle with the Ohio State Buckeyes, per Odds Shark. On paper, Alabama is faster, deeper and the Bucks are starting a third-string quarterback. 

To top all of that off, the game is being played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, where you'd expect Crimson Tide fans to fill out the seats more than Buckeye Nation.

It's hard to argue with any of those assessments, but the truth of the matter is games aren't won and lost with projections. The Tide and Bucks will settle things on the field. Here are the three key matchups that will determine a victor.

WR Amari Cooper vs. CB Doran Grant and the Buckeyes Secondary

Has a wide receiver ever been the most dangerous weapon in an Alabama offense? That's the case right now with Amari Cooper.

The job of slowing down Cooper can't fall on the shoulders of one man. Though, per College Football 24/7, Grant says he'll play Cooper "man up":

There's a chance Grant, Eli Apple and others will have their chance to cover Cooper one-on-one, but the Buckeyes will have to pick those spots carefully. In addition to the corners, the Ohio State safeties Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell will need to do their best to offer help over the top. 

Cooper is too good to stop altogether, but limiting him is Ohio State's only chance to slow down Alabama's passing game. I can't believe I just typed that.

OL Ryan Kelly and Leon Brown vs. DL Michael Bennett and Adolphus Washington

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Even with Cooper, everything 'Bama does is still built on the running game. Success in that area is about getting a push up front. The Buckeyes need Michael Bennett to be a presence in the middle on defense. As Ohio State's top defensive tackle, the initial responsibility for shutting down running lanes will fall on him.

Chances are 'Bama won't leave it up to Kelly or Brown to contain Bennett. A combination of the two will look to win the war in the trenches and help to establish 'Bama's ground game. If Bennett is subdued, Washington must take the opportunity to make his presence felt.

DL Joey Bosa vs. OL Cam Robinson

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Robinson has been a wonder child this season. He became the first true freshman to start at left tackle for Alabama in the Nick Saban era. He's held his own against most of the top defensive linemen in the SEC, and that includes helping to limit SEC Defensive Player of the Year Shane Ray to half a sack in the SEC title game.

Now Robinson has another stiff test in front of him in Bosa. Austin Ward of ESPN.com also sees this as a key matchup:

Bosa led Ohio State in sacks with 13.5, and the Bucks need him to generate pressure on 'Bama quarterback Blake Sims.

If Ohio State has to blitz to get to Sims, that's fewer players the team can commit to coverage. That might mean one less guy to deal with Cooper, which could be disastrous for the Buckeyes defense.