Alabama vs. Clemson: Top Players to Watch in CFP National Championship 2016

Following weeks of anticipation and hype, the College Football Playoff national championship game has been set, with No. 1 Clemson slated to square off against No. 2 Alabama on Jan. 11 in Glendale, Arizona. 

And as the two CFP semifinal tilts exemplified, top talents on each side may very well wind up swinging the outcome of this year's title game. 

From Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson to Alabama running back Derrick Henry and some esteemed pass-rushing minds, here's a look at which players to watch when the college football season officially closes up shop. 

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson 

Watson was superb in Clemson's semifinal showdown against Oklahoma. Despite completing just over 51 percent of his passes for 187 yards, a touchdown and an interception, the Heisman Trophy finalist shredded the Sooners with his legs to the tune of 145 yards and a score. 

That's the kind of dual-threat wizardry that should worry even the nation's stoutest defensive front—one that allowed a meager 29 rushing yards on 26 carries against Michigan State. 

"Watson is not only dangerous on designed runs, but he's also elusive and instinctive in the pocket, sensing the rush while continuing to look for open receivers," NFL.com's Chase Goodbread wrote. "Clemson's offensive line might have as much trouble with Alabama's four-man rush as Michigan State did, but unlike rushing [Connor] Cook, that's only half the challenge against the slippery Watson."

Alabama ranked No. 1 nationally in opponents' average rushing yards (74.0 per game), but defending Watson's unpredictable scrambles outside the pocket won't be the same as shutting down the Spartans' ground game. 

If the Tigers' coaching staff can get creative and splice in some tricky play designs to keep the Tide's defense on its heels, Watson and Co. should have a real shot at pulling off a perfect campaign. 

Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

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Michigan State stacked the box to stop the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner and dared quarterback Jake Coker to beat them, and that's exactly what the Crimson Tide signal-caller did. Coker completed an outrageous 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards and two scores while Henry was limited to 20 carries for 75 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

As the numbers indicate, that strategy proved to burn the Spartans. Although forcing Coker to drop back repeatedly sounded like a good concept in theory, the senior had no trouble airing the ball out and watching his receivers make big-time plays downfield. 

With that semifinal sample in hand, perhaps the biggest remaining question revolves around how Clemson will game-plan for Henry—who can single-handedly reduce the will of even the strongest defenses to smithereens.

Alabama would undoubtedly love to get its star centerpiece going early and often between the tackles, but patience will likely be key. If Clemson comes out and loads the box with eight or nine defenders, it will be on the Tide to stick with what the Tigers give them until openings for Henry present themselves.

But considering Henry hasn't rushed for under 100 yards in back-to-back games yet this season, the odds should be on the Heisman winner crossing the century mark in the biggest game of his career.  

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

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Alabama pass-rusher Tim Williams has expressed his excitement to go up against a Clemson team that makes a living dropping back and passing, according to AL.com's John Talty, but if there's one defensive end to watch, it's Tigers rusher Shaq Lawson. 

Although Lawson exited the Orange Bowl with a knee injury, he clarified his status following Clemson's big semifinal win. 

"I feel great. Just hurt my knee a little bit," Lawson said, according to the Post and Courier's Aaron Brenner. "Nothing too serious. I’ll be ready for the championship."

While it undoubtedly hurts Alabama that Lawson is on track to suit up, the Crimson Tide may have a pass-rushing Kryptonite in the form of left tackle Cam Robinson. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller previously called Robinson "a future stud prospect at left tackle," and the sophomore can validate that status further with a peak effort against Lawson.