Sugar Bowl 2015: Full Schedule, Positional Breakdown for Alabama vs. Ohio State

Here's a statement fans have been waiting to hear for several years: We are one week away from a College Football Playoff. New Year's Day will mark the start of a new era in the sport when four teams compete for the right to play for the national championship.

Both games will feature outstanding teams, but the Sugar Bowl has two coaches with multiple national titles. Urban Meyer and Nick Saban will face off for the fourth time in their careers, with Saban holding the upper hand at 2-1.

If Meyer plans to knot up the series and move on, he will need his third quarterback this season to step up. Cardale Jones broke out in the Big Ten title game thanks to Ezekiel Elliott leading the way.

Going against a potent Alabama offense with Blake Sims and Amari Cooper means another stiff test for Ohio State. Prior to the Sugar Bowl kicking off, here's a look at the schedule and positional breakdown for the matchup.

Sugar Bowl Information

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

When: Thursday, Jan. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Quarterback: Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Leading up to the regular season, Sims wasn't even assured the starting spot for the Crimson Tide. Heading into the inaugural playoff, the senior has asserted himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Sims has taken the reins at Alabama, and he's leading an offense that has passed for 281 yards per game, which ranks 22nd in the NCAA. Saban spoke about the character of his signal-caller, via Alex Scarborough of ESPN.com:

Equipped with weapons such as Amari Cooper and DeAndrew White, Sims has the tools to bring another title back to Tuscaloosa. Throwing for 26 touchdowns and just seven interceptions this season, he doesn't make critical mistakes that can hamper top teams.

Jones can prove a lot with consistent play for OSU in the Sugar Bowl, but he hasn't put together the same resume as Sims. Both will have a chance on the big stage, but Sims comes in with the advantage thanks to success all season.

Running Backs: Ohio State

During the last half of the season, Melvin Gordon has been considered the best running back in the country. The Heisman finalist was recently overshadowed by Elliott, who set a new record for rushing yards in the Big Ten title game.

His 220 rushing yards against Wisconsin put him on the map, but the sophomore has been explosive all season. Eleven Warriors notes his total yards in the last five games for Ohio State:

With an inexperienced quarterback under center, Elliott has a chance to be the difference-maker for the Buckeyes. He'll be facing a stout Bama rush defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season.

Elliott's recent success puts him over Alabama's two running backs, T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry. If he can find holes in the Tide's defense, Elliott might just be the one key to an upset win for the Buckeyes on New Year's Day.

Wide Receivers: Alabama

Let's be honest—was there really another choice in this category? Devin Smith and Michael Thomas are special talents, but neither comes close to Cooper's dynamic ability this season.

In fact, Ohio State's top three receivers don't have as many receptions combined (101) as Cooper alone (115) this year. That SEC record was just one of many amazing marks for Cooper in 2014, as the SEC Network notes:

Along with Cooper, White also proved he can be effective down the field for Alabama. White led the Tide in receiving during the SEC Championship Game and caught a 58-yard touchdown pass.

Bama's tandem will have to compete against an Ohio State defense that allowed just 188.2 passing yards per game this season. Meanwhile, the Tide's secondary has given up an average of 223.7 passing yards per contest.

Smith and Thomas may be able to exploit Alabama's pass defense, but Cooper alone is a better playmaker. His outstanding season paired with White's effectiveness gives Bama's receiving corps the edge.

Defense: Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Much like the Tide's passing game, the defense has plenty of star power. One standout this season has been Landon Collins, a do-it-all safety who has led the defense all season.

Alabama's safety has been special all year, following a long line of defensive backs to explode in Tuscaloosa. Collins leads the Tide in tackles (91) and interceptions (three) along with 3.5 tackles for loss this season.

Thanks to Collins and a stout front seven, the Tide ranks fourth in scoring defense, allowing just 16.6 points per game. Facing the fourth-best scoring offense in Ohio State at 45.2 points per game, the entire defense will be tested.

Getting the job done all season, Bama has earned its place as the top defense in the Sugar Bowl.

Prediction

Dave Martin/Associated Press

Much like the total tally in the positional battle, Alabama will come away with a win next Thursday night. Jones and Elliott will certainly have a lot to say about the outcome but will ultimately be limited by the Tide's stout defense.

Both Saban and Meyer will no doubt have their teams ready, but the experience under center will make all the difference. Ultimately, it will be Saban moving forward to compete for a fourth national title in the last six seasons.

Final score: Alabama 30, Ohio State 24

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