BCS Bowl Games: Tyrann Mathieu and the BCS Title Game's Biggest Playmakers

The BCS National Championship Game is a who's who of future NFL stars.

Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu are the big names, but there are a number of others worth watching as well.

But who is the game's biggest playmaker? That is open for debate.

Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU

The Heisman finalist, also known as the "Honey Badger," is all over the football field. At 5'9", 175 pounds, it is very hard to find him, but he continually pops up everywhere.

He leads the Tigers with 70 tackles and six forced fumbles. He also recovered five fumbles, recorded two interceptions, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 tackles for loss and he's scored four touchdowns (two on fumble recoveries and two on punt returns).

The Crimson Tide need to know where he is at all times in every phase of the game. He may be the smallest player out there, but he often makes the biggest impact.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Another Heisman finalist, Richardson is the top running back prospect in the country and the engine that drives the Crimson Tide offense. At 5'11", 224 pounds, he's big, fast, powerful and ridiculously elusive for his size.

Richardson doesn't care if he has to go over, under or through defenders, he just wants to get by them.

He makes plays out of the backfield, can pick up the blitz and has a nose for the end zone. When Alabama needs a big play, he'll be the one they call on.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Tigers' other big-name defensive back is actually the top defensive prospect in the country. Claiborne, at 6'1", 180 pounds, is the best cover corner in the nation and can completely take a receiver out a game.

He's not as big as last year's No. 5 overall pick, Patrick Peterson, but he's more fluid in his hips and is a guy you want to avoid when throwing from one side of the field to other (and yes, that is a direct shot to A.J. McCarron and his terrible decision in the Nov. 5 game).

Mo recorded 46 tackles and led the Tigers with six interceptions. He also scored two touchdowns (one on kickoff return and one on interception return).

If the Tide, McCarron in particular, are foolish enough to challenge him again, it will cost them.

Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

Nick Saban's leading sack artist is a bit undersized, but is still a mid-first-round NFL draft prospect. Upshaw, who has 8.5 sacks on the season, is top 15 in the nation in tackles for loss (17) and has two forced fumbles on the season as well.

Upshaw was a sophomore when the Tide won the title in 2009 and was the one who pounced on the fumble late in the game to seal the win over Texas.

Since that game, he has become one of the most feared pass-rushers in the country.

He dominated last year in the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State and there is no reason to believe he won't rise to the occasion again. When the bright lights come on, Courtney Upshaw takes over.

Honorable Mention

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama—The Tide's leading tackler will be all over the field. He makes plays in the backfield, in coverage and in the hole. The Tigers have to find a way to block him.

Rueben Randle, WR, LSU—The Tigers' best offensive weapon, Randle is averaging 18.1 yards per catch on the season.

Jordan Jefferson, QB, LSU—He took over in this game on Nov. 5 and has been the Tigers' No. 1 option at QB since. He'll need to be even better to beat the Alabama defense a second time.

Mark Barron, S, Alabama—The senior safety is looking to capture his second national championship and elevate his draft stock even higher. He makes plays flying up into the box and in coverage. The Tigers will know where he is.