The College Football Playoff final is almost here, as No. 1 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama will face off in Phoenix on Monday to determine the 2015-16 national champion.
These are the two best teams in the last, so obviously they both have a bunch of impact players that you will need to keep track of on Monday evening. Which ones should you keep an eye on the most? Well, we have the Top 10 players to watch right here for you!
10. Artavis Scott, Clemson
With Deon Cain and Mike Williams not playing in this game, Deshaun Watson is going to need someone to step up. Scott has to be that guy and he should get a little help with Alabama focusing on a big tight end like Jordan Leggett.
9. Cyrus Jones, Alabama
Alabama's offense is more methodical that fast-pace, so field position will be something that dictates a lot about this game. If Jones — who has four punt returns for touchdowns this year — is able to either score or continuously give the Tide great field position, then Alabama's offense will have to do even less work to score consistently.
8. Jake Coker, Alabama
Coker could have a big impact on this game, as he is the Alabama quarterback, but he's not really a "player to watch" as much as some of the other guys on this list are. Does that make sense? Anyways, he will likely have a couple of deep-ball throws that could change the outcome of the game, but he could just as easily hand the ball off to Derrick Henry 35 times.
7. Shaq Lawson, Clemson
He is not 100-percent so we will have to see how he plays early in the game and that might be an indicator of what to expect for Clemson on defense. If he can get some penetration early then that will likely change Alabama's game plan for running the ball
6. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
You could probably put several Crimson Tide defenders here, like A'Shawn Robinson. Alabama's front-seven is ridiculous, and Ragland is the heart and soul of that defense with his heavy hitting out of the linebacker spot.
5. Wayne Gallman, Clemson
He might be the most underrated running back in the country. He definitely is within the ACC and he will get a chance to garner some more attention if he has a good game against a stout Alabama defensive line.
4. Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
This is the guy who will covering Calvin Ridley all night so if he can get some pass deflections or make Jake Coker throw elsewhere, then that's a win for the Clemson defense.
3. Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Here is the reason Coker is ranked lower on the list; Ridley is just much more fun to watch, as he will literally do anything to catch a football. Alexander will be all over Ridley, but Ridley has proven to be good enough that it might not matter on some plays.
2. Derrick Henry, Alabama
We found out in the Cotton Bowl that Derrick Henry doesn't HAVE to explode in order for Alabama to have a good offensive day. However, Henry is still going to get 20-plus carries, and what he does with those touches will determine a lot about how both teams will fare on Monday.
1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
He is No. 1 because his play is more likely to dictate the outcome of the game. He's obviously going to be a big factor and will really test how far Alabama's defense has come in playing against dual-threat quarterbacks. Dak Prescott (Miss State) and Josh Dobbs (Tennessee) gave Alabama some fits so it should be interesting to see a better thrower and passer playing behind center.
