Sugar Bowl 2015: Players Who Must Shine in Ohio State vs. Alabama

The inaugural College Football Playoff features two incredible semifinal matchups, but the game fans are most excited for is the battle between the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide and the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes.

While Alabama has showcased the team’s tenacity and ability to win in any way necessary, it is the ability of Ohio State to overcome adversity that will have the program ready for an incredibly tough test in the 2015 Sugar Bowl.

Here are the top players from each team who must step up in the Sugar Bowl.

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Ohio State Player Who Must Shine: Cardale Jones, QB

There were few fans of the sport who thought the Ohio State Buckeyes would make it to the semifinals after losing both Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett to season-ending injuries, but the program squeezed into the postseason as the No. 4 seed.

Now, Ohio State’s success will be dependent on sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones, who came into the offseason as a third-string player.

When asked about his confidence, Jones told Sean Merriman of the Big Ten Network: “There’s no doubt, I was confident coming into this game. But my teammates and my coaches took my confidence to a whole new level that I’ve never felt before.”

Jones’ first true start came in the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin, and he was solid in his new role. Head coach Urban Meyer kept the game plan simple, and Jones managed to rack up 257 passing yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception.

There is no doubt that Jones has the natural mobility to get out of trouble, but his ability and desire to make the best plays down the field and not depend on his legs makes him a dangerous weapon in the Buckeyes' offensive system.

With a dangerous rushing attack led by Ezekiel Elliott (220 yards and two touchdowns vs. Wisconsin) and a talented group of receivers featuring Devin Smith and Michael Thomas, Jones will have every opportunity to succeed against Alabama.

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Alabama Player Who Must Shine: Amari Cooper, WR

The Alabama Crimson Tide are known for the team’s ability to run the ball efficiently each and every year, but it has been the 22nd-ranked pass offense (281 yards per game) led by senior quarterback Blake Sims that has been the biggest surprise.

The dominance of the passing attack is due largely to the skill of wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Cooper has exploded in his junior season, racking up an impressive 115 receptions for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. Not only does Cooper lead the team in receptions, but he is also the team’s most dangerous weapon, with DeAndrew White amassing only 37 catches all year, the second most in the program.

A matchup against Ohio State won’t be easy. The Buckeyes have given up just 188.2 passing yards per game and 13 total touchdowns. On the other hand, the team has yet to face a player as imposing as the 6’1” and 210-pound Cooper.

With a berth in the national championship on the line, college football fans should expect Alabama to lean on its best players. The best overall player on the Crimson Tide offense is Cooper, and whether he rises to the occasion or not will determine the outcome of this matchup.

Stats via ESPN.com.