Alabama vs. Ohio State: Schedule Info and Players to Watch in Sugar Bowl 2015

As much fun as the 2014 season was, the first-ever College Football Playoff promises to bring even more intrigue for fans. The nightcap of the two New Year's Day matchups features two historically great programs when Alabama and Ohio State clash.

The Crimson Tide come in with a chance to win their fourth national title in the last six years. Much of that success is thanks to the likes of Amari Cooper on offense and Landon Collins on the other side of the ball.

Ohio State barely squeaked into the playoff but has the weapons to take on a loaded Bama defense. Thanks to the explosiveness of Ezekiel Elliott and Devin Smith, the Buckeyes still have aspirations of winning their way into the national championship game.

Below is a full look at the Sugar Bowl schedule and players to watch from both teams.

Game Information

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans

When: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 at 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Alabama: Amari Cooper and Landon Collins

There might not be a Heisman Trophy winner or a pair of them, like in the Rose Bowl, but Alabama's Amari Cooper came as close as possible.

The Alabama wide receiver has been a huge weapon during his tenure with the Tide, but he exploded this season. Cooper broke the SEC single-season receptions record with 115 during the conference championship and would have eight 100-yard games if he eclipsed the total in the Sugar Bowl.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell spoke about the impact of a player like Cooper, via Nicole Auerbach of USA Today:

"

The ideal way to defend him is a pouring rainstorm, winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, but I don't think that's going to happen in a dome. ...

It's not just his ability to catch the ball. It's his ability to come out of the backfield, take a swing pass, take the deep ball, and his ability to break tackles. Those are the things that make that guy special.

"

Those looking for a similar leader on the defensive end can look no further than Landon Collins. The do-it-all safety is one of the hardest-hitting players in the country and a sure tackler.

Collins finished the season with six passes defended and three interceptions to pace the Tide. However, the safety will come in with a target on his back after some harsh words for the Buckeyes, via Rick Karle of WBRC:

Taking on an OSU team that has overcome a lot to reach this plateau, the safety will have to more than live up to those words. Thanks to the talent of Cooper and Collins, the Tide might just pack enough punch to take down the Buckeyes.

Ohio State: Ezekiel Elliott and Devin Smith

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

In the wake of the second Ohio State starting quarterback going down this season, Cardale Jones has been asked to step up for the offense. However, it's the weapons around him that made the transition a seamless one in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Sharing the backfield with Jones is Elliott, who rushed for a career-high 220 yards in the conference title game. The sophomore finished the year with over 100 total yards in each of his last five games, serving as a huge key for OSU's success.

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer referenced his young running back, via Eleven Warriors:

On the receiving end for Jones, Smith has the speed and hands to match any receiver in the country. Though he hasn't been as dynamic as Cooper this season, Smith is deadly with the ball in his hands for the Buckeyes.

In the Big Ten Championship Game, Smith finished with three receiving touchdowns from Jones and a total of 137 yards. All of that production came on just four receptions, making Smith a player to watch any time he touches the ball.

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