Sugar Bowl 2015: Full Preview and Predictions for Alabama vs. Ohio State

After a wild season with a chaotic finish, the College Football Playoff is finally set. In the final game of a full New Year's Day slate, two of the sport's most illustrious programs will face off for a chance to play for the national championship.

Coming off wins in their conference championships, Alabama and Ohio State will match up in New Orleans in the second semifinal. Years after facing each other three times in the SEC, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer will match up for a fourth time on the national stage.

Along with the coaching battle, both offenses pack plenty of firepower. Whether it's Blake Sims and Amari Cooper or Ezekiel Elliott and Devin Smith, fans will get their money's worth on New Year's Day.

Prior to the pivotal battle getting underway, here's a look at the full preview and predictions for the 2015 Sugar Bowl.

Viewing Information

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

When: Jan. 1, 2015

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Preview

Coming into the year, many analysts believed both programs would contend for a title. Even after losing two quarterbacks throughout the season, Ohio State has survived to enter the playoff bracket.

Both programs feature offenses playing at a very high level, but the Buckeyes come in after rolling Wisconsin. Cardale Jones got his first start under center and responded with three touchdowns to go along with Ezekiel Elliott's 220 rushing yards and two scores.

Ohio State might not have its first two choices at signal-caller, but it still looked dominant enough against Wisconsin to secure a spot. Playoff chairman Jeff Long referenced the huge win, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports:

Fans also get an opportunity to feast their eyes on another explosive offense on the other side of the field. Alabama has been defined by its passing game, and one player in particular, this season.

Cooper currently holds the SEC record for a single season with 115 receptions this season for a total of 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. The junior has three games with over 200 yards this season and four with multiple touchdowns.

Meyer put it simply when talking about Cooper's ability, via Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News:

Along with the potent passing game, the Tide also offer one of the best defenses in the country. Outside of a shootout with Auburn in the Iron Bowl, Alabama has been stout against great competition throughout the year.

ESPN Stats & Info notes what appears to be a pivotal matchup for the two sides:

Ohio State clearly isn't a team full of schmucks either after dismantling Wisconsin to the tune of 59-0. Holding Melvin Gordon in check is no easy feat, so creating opportunities through the running game will prove difficult for the Tide.

Each team comes in with strengths and weaknesses, but they are clearly two of the best teams in the country. The second semifinal promises to be an intriguing one in the Superdome with a chance at a title on the line.

Prediction

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The argument over who deserved to earn the No. 4 seed will continue to rage on, but Ohio State will put up a huge battle. Led by Jones, the Buckeyes have a chance to make things interesting in the biggest game of the Meyer era.

Ultimately, it will be Alabama moving on to play for a fourth title in the last six seasons. The Buckeyes will prove to be a worthy opponent, but Saban will flex his defensive muscle against Meyer as he did in the 2009 SEC Championship Game.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Ohio State 23

Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.