Who has the edge tonight? Get Sugar Bowl unit breakdowns

It?s game day. The talking is finished. The speculation and conjecture are over. Let?s see who wins this Sugar Bowl clash between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Ohio State.

Here?s a unit-by-unit look at each team. Who has the edge?

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OFFENSE

LINE
Ohio State?s front had questions as 2014 dawned, needing to replace four starters. Line coach Ed Warinner did a great job melding this into one of the best fronts in the Big Ten. The unit was a big reason why OSU ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten in scoring (45.2 ppg) and No. 1 in total offense (507.6 ypg). Bama also has a strong front led by massive Arie Kouandjio, helping the Tide average 209.5 yards rushing.
Edge: Ohio State

RUNNING BACKS
Ohio State?s Ezekiel Elliott has been a roll, running for over 100 yards in the last three games and four of the last five. He?s coming off a career-high 220 vs. Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game en route to running for 1,402 yards this season. Elliott will be challenged vs. a Bama defense that hasn?t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. The Tide counters with T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry, physical backs who lack Elliott?s big-play ability.
Edge: Ohio State

RECEIVERS
The Buckeyes have nice options in Devin Smith and Mike Thomas. Smith leads the team with 799 yards receiving on 30 catches (26.6 ypc) with 11 touchdowns. He?s a big-play waiting to happen. Thomas? 43 catches lead the team, as he has 680 yards and eight TDs. Jalin Marshall is a multi-dimensional option, playing multiple spots with 28 grabs for 392 yards. But Amari Cooper by himself gives the Tide the edge here. Check this out: Ohio State's top three receivers don't have as many receptions combined (101) as Cooper (115) in 2014. Enough said. He?s a transcendental talent. DeAndrew White is a nice sidekick, notching 101 yards receiving in the SEC title game. By the way: Ohio State yields 188.2 passing yards per game. The Tide's has given up an average of 223.7 passing yards per contest.
Edge: Alabama

QUARTERBACK
How about Alabama signal-caller Blake Sims? Before the season, he was battling for the job. Now, he?s one of the nation?s top quarterbacks. It has been a fun ride. Sims paces an attacked that averages for 281 yards passing per game, which ranks 22nd in the nation. Cardale Jones shocked America with his MVP effort in the Big Ten title game, which was his first career start. The stakes are even higher this time. Is he ready?
Edge: Alabama

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DEFENSE

LINE
The Buckeyes may have the best front in the nation, led by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in Joey Bosa. He?s a force off the edge who led the Big Ten in sacks and tackles for loss. Tackle Michael Bennett is a disruptive wrecking ball on the interior. Adolphus Washington can stuff the run inside, helping OSU rank 23^rd in the nation in scoring defense (21.2 ppg). Bama has a terrific front seven. And it?s led by a strong front. End Jonathan Allen is a top pass rusher. A?Shawn Robinson has been a revelation on the nose as a sophomore. Jarran Reed is a JC transfer who has impacted all season for the No. 2 rushing defense in America (88.7 ypg).
Edge: Even

LINEBACKERS
This hasn?t been a position of strength in recent years for Ohio State. But it is now, with players like Darron Lee, Curtis Grant and Joshua Perry. Like Lee, Chris Worley and Raekwon McMillan are youngsters who have injected great speed and athletic ability to this group. Trey DePriest is an anchor in the middle for Alabama. Reggie Ragland covers a lot of ground on the weak side, helping Bama rank No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense (16.6 ppg).
Edge: Alabama

SECONDARY
Safety Landon Collins is the star in the back-end for the Tide, a true-difference maker who can cover and tackle. He paces Bama in tackles (91) and interceptions (three) to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss in 2014. But the talent around him is just OK. Ohio State has gotten better in this department with guys like corners Doran Grant and Eli Apple and safeties Tyvvis Powell and Vonn Bell stepping up. There is talent and speed. This is a ball-hawking group, too, helping OSU pick off a Big Ten-high 21 passes.
Edge: Ohio State

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SPECIAL TEAMS
Both of these teams have done well in the return game. Jalin Marshall is a slippery return man for OSU, running back a punt for a TD. Cameron Johnston is one of the Big Ten?s best punters (45.1-yard average). Bama also has a punter who can boom it in JK Scott. Christian Jones is good on kickoff and punt returns for the Tide. Neither team has a great kicker. Bama?s Adam Griffith has made 12-of-19 field-goal attempts but none from over 50 yards. OSU?s Sean Nuernberger has hit 11-of-18 field-goal attempts and none from over 50 yards.
Edge: Even

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