College Football Playoff 2016: Top Players, Matchups to Watch in Semifinals

It's nearly time for College Football Playoff action to get underway, which means it's time to dissect the most compelling players and matchups that figure to shape the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl. 

So as New Year's Eve action gets set to descend on Miami and Arlington, Texas, we're here to break down which components of the two playoff semifinals will likely determine this year's CFP National Championship Game participants. 

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

If there's one player with the talent capable of swinging a semifinal matchup, it's Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. The Heisman Trophy finalist is coming off a superlative regular season that saw the Tigers capture 13 straight wins and an ACC title, and he single-handedly transformed Clemson's offense into one of the nation's most formidable.

Not only did he throw and run all over opponents to the tune of nearly 4,400 total yards, but Watson helped Clemson's attack finish No. 12 overall in opponent-adjusted offensive efficiency (OFEI), per Football Outsiders.

"He's one of the top players in the country," Oklahoma linebacker Dominique Alexander said, per ESPN.com's Jake Trotter. "He played for an undefeated team this year. To keep him contained, everybody has got to do their job. We've got to make more plays on him than he does on us."

Oklahoma's 21st-ranked scoring defense is battle-tested after dispatching high-powered foes such as Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State, but none of those offenses wielded a weapon as explosive as Watson. 

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

While Oklahoma deals with Watson, Clemson's 18th-ranked scoring defense will have the pleasure of squaring off against Sooners signal-caller Baker Mayfield, who boasts many of the same traits that make Watson one of the most dynamic threats in the game. 

"He’s a Heisman-type guy," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said, per USA Today's Gerry Ahern. "When you talk Heisman Trophy-worthy that’s another level. It’s one thing to throw a guy’s name out there and the next to have a 12-, 13-game resume that’s [sic] shows it’s justified, not talk."

Mayfield was nothing if not efficient this year. He threw for 3,389 yards, 35 touchdowns and just five interceptions while tucking and running for 420 yards and five scores. 

Clemson led the ACC in sacks (38.0) and finished fourth in the conference with 14 interceptions, but it's safe to say the Tigers defense has yet to face a quarterback as versatile as Mayfield. 

With a scary arm and a scarier disposition in the pocket, Mayfield (6'1", 209 lbs) has the physical and mental capabilities necessary to justify Oklahoma's designation as the CFP's trendiest team. It won't be easy, but the Sooners quarterback has the tools necessary to hand Clemson its first loss of the season. 

Michigan State QB Connor Cook vs. Alabama Defense

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has generated plenty of buzz as a potential stud at the next level, but before he sets his sights on the NFL, the Spartans signal-caller will need to try to slay a mighty Alabama defense.

Among CFP qualifiers, the Crimson Tide rank 15 spots higher than the next-best scoring defense (Clemson, No. 18)—allowing a meager 14.4 points per game. Only Ohio State and Wisconsin were more prolific on that side of the ball this year. 

And as CBSSports.com's Robby Kalland explained, Cook will need to come up with some downfield heroics to have a shot at downing the Tide: 

"

To beat Alabama, a team has to force turnovers and create explosive plays. The last three teams to beat Alabama ranked No. 1 (2014 Ohio State), No. 2 (2015 Ole Miss), and No. 42 (2014 Ole Miss) in creating explosive plays during their respective seasons. Michigan State was No. 72 in 2015 with just 16 plays of 30 or more yards (118th nationally).

"

While Cook avoided turning the ball over (five interceptions on the season), he wasn't at his best throughout the 2015 campaign. The senior completed just 56.9 percent of his passes—the lowest rate he's recorded since taking over as starter his sophomore year. 

If Alabama's front seven provides consistent pressure against an offensive line that allowed a respectable 17 sacks this season, Cook could be in serious trouble considering he hasn't been in peak form as a pocket passer.