CFP National Championship 2016: Key Factors for Clemson vs. Alabama Matchup

No more polls, no more committees, no more voting, no more politics. Just 100 yards of grass, a pigskin and 22 men in between two white lines to settle who is the best college football team in the land.

A southern tilt will shift west to Arizona as No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama face off at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Clemson used a big second half in the Orange Bowl to move past No. 4 Oklahoma easily, while Alabama thrashed No. 3 Michigan State 38-0. With both teams holding plenty of momentum, there are a few key factors that can deliver one team to victory or spoil its national title hopes.

Let's take a look.

Deshaun Watson

If there's one thing that has been able to throw a wrench in Alabama's defensive machine, it's been a scrambling quarterback. 

While Chad Kelly of Ole Miss didn't need his legs to pick apart the Crimson Tide for Alabama's lone loss this season, they have burned in the past by mobile passers. Last year, it was Bo Wallace of Ole Miss and Ohio State's Cardale Jones in the Sugar Bowl. 

Their ability to use their legs and extend plays helped to beat an Alabama defense that makes a living off getting after the quarterback and disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage.

If Alabama can't get to the quarterback, the rest of its defense is left stranded. It's in for quite a test in Clemson's Deshaun Watson.

Watson has rushed for over 1,000 yards to go with 3,699 passing yards in an offense he throttles with big plays each and every week. He's accounted for 43 total touchdowns this season, which basically means Clemson goes as he does. 

Alabama head coach Nick Saban knows his unit is up against it too.

"The guy is an outstanding player and does a great job of executing their offense, tremendous dual threat," he said, per Matt Connelly of the State (h/t Neil Greenberg of the Washington Post). "You know, really is a very good rhythm passer as well as a guy who can sustain plays and extend plays because of his athleticism and ability to scramble.

If Watson is able to throw for 300 yards and rush for 75, Clemson has a really good chance of winning this football game.

Jake Coker

If Jake Coker plays like he did against Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, then Alabama is going to win this game easily.

Coker was surgical in breaking down the Spartans defense, putting up season highs in completions and yards with 25 and 286, respectively. It's been an up-and-down season of sorts with Coker.

With a Heisman Trophy-winning running back in Derrick Henry in the backfield, Coker was relegated to playing second fiddle on offense, and his numbers were pedestrian at best. There were times this season when he struggled to command the offense, but he's come on strong as of late.

In his past four games, he's thrown for seven touchdowns and no interceptions as the Crimson Tide have made easy work of some big programs like Mississippi State, Florida and Auburn.

Leading up to the game, the quarterback who wasn't given much of a chance in his first three years in Alabama looks set to lead the Crimson Tide into battle.

Everyone and their mothers know that Henry is going to see a lot of the ball. In the biggest game of the year, it's only natural that the best player in the nation gets the ball as much as Saban allows it.

So if Clemson decides to key in on the run and load up the box in preparation of Henry's impending arrival, Coker's arm is going to have to be on the money if Alabama wants to outscore Clemson.

Put up a game like he did against Ole Miss or even Arkansas, and Alabama will have problems on Monday.

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.