Peach Bowl 2016: Underrated Stars to Watch and Picks in Washington vs. Alabama

The defending national champions and No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide meet college football's big surprise in No. 4 Washington on New Year's Eve from the Georgia Dome for the 2016 Peach Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinals. 

These are two programs with stark differences in terms of past successes. Alabama is looking for its 15th national championship and fifth since 2009. 

Washington, on the other hand, is in search of its first outright national championship in program history. In 1991, the Huskies shared the national title with Miami. 

There are going to be some big stars headlining the Peach Bowl, as plenty of focus will be on Alabama dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts and Washington slinger Jake Browning, but there are a number of underrated players who could make a big impact in Atlanta. 

Underrated Stars To Watch

Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs, Alabama, RB

Alabama's rushing attack is one of the most complete units in the country behind Hurts and No. 1 back Damien Harris, who put up 983 yards on just 132 carries for a 7.4 yards-per-carry average. 

With the Washington defense likely keyed in on those two, Alabama could be looking at backup running backs Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs to bully their way into breaking down the Huskies. 

Scarbrough is a looming 6'2", 228 pounds and is like a runaway freight train once he gets going. When he hits the open field, he's just as tough to stop given his surprising speed, via the SEC on CBS:

Jacobs provides a different look at 5'10", 204 pounds. But with a low center of gravity, he's proved to be just as tough to bring down at times. 

Both runners have averaged six or more yards per carry, with Jacobs racking up 551 yards and Scarbrough adding 539, completing a well-balanced offensive machine that is going to be almost impossible for Washington to stop. 

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama, CB

There's little disputing that Alabama's defense is the best in the nation considering it's allowing fewer than 12 points per game and is ranked first against the running game with just 824 yards allowed in 13 games. 

That's going to force Browning and the Washington offense to throw the ball a lot come New Year's Eve, which means Alabama's passing defense will have to be ready, and it will hinge on the stellar play of Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

The sophomore leads the team with five interceptions on the season, racking up 158 return yards, a pair of touchdowns and seven passes defended. 

Most of those return yards came on this monster return against Arkansas to ice the game and Alabama's sixth win of the season:

Fitzpatrick is going to be matched up against Washington's best receivers and will be a vital cog in the Alabama machine if it wants to limit the Huskies offense. 

John Ross, Washington, WR

Given Alabama's dominance against the run game, it will be difficult for Washington's leading rusher, Myles Gaskin, to get in the game. While he could be utilized in the flat on screen plays, his 14 receptions in 13 games might not make him the most reliable target if Browning is under pressure. 

That puts a lot of stress on the shoulders of leading wide receiver John Ross, who was responsible for more than 34 percent of Browning's passing yards in 2016. 

The junior hauled in 76 receptions for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns as a big-play threat who can flat-out burn opposing defenders thanks to his blinding speed:

Ross must utilize that speed to allow Browning and Washington to beat the stout Alabama defense over the top. It could be its only way to attain any kind of success against the Crimson Tide and keep it in the Peach Bowl. 

If Browning can't hook up with Ross and he's shut down in Atlanta, it's going to be a long, unhappy New Year's Eve for Washington. 

Prediction

Alabama 38, Washington 20

Washington has a golden opportunity to put in a good word for the legitimacy of the Pac-12, which has been considered one of the weaker Power Five conferences. 

Had it played either Clemson or Ohio State in the semifinal instead of Alabama, it would have had a better chance to move on to the national championship game. 

But Alabama is far too well-rounded of a team to be slowed down by a Washington program that did not play a ranked team outside the Pac-12 this season, let alone the SEC and national powerhouse that the Crimson Tide are. 

Alabama should cruise to a victory if the defense plays at the level it has all season. 

Follow @JoePantorno on Twitter.