Peach Bowl: Everything you need to know for Washington-Alabama

The Washington Huskies face overwhelming odds when they go against the 2016 juggernaut of Alabama, but can playing with the house money in the College Football Playoff create an upset to rock the football world? What you need to know; strength, weaknesses and who has the extra edge tomorrow.

Peach Bowl
#4 Washington (12-1, Pac-12) vs # 1 Alabama (13-0, SEC)
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Time: 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Channel: ESPN

What are the two biggest advantages Washington have over Alabama?

Sam Greszes: The Huskies have an offense that can, somehow, put up 65-plus points multiple times. A dynamic-yet-cohesive playing style that may actually be enough to confound the Alabama defense.

Daniel Tran: Washington’s defensive secondary has been one of the best in the country all year. The defensive backs have 15 of the teams 18 interceptions, and have been shutting down some of the best Pac-12 passing offenses all year.

The Huskies also have one of the best quarterbacks in college football in Jake Browning, who lit up college football for over 3,200 yards and 42 touchdowns. If Washington is going advance in the playoffs, Browning is going to have to solve an Alabama defense that may be one of the all-time greats.

Shiloh Carder: I'd have to say quarterback and the fact that they are essentially playing with house money. Washington QB Jake Browning was a legit Heisman contender until he played less than stellar against USC and Colorado late in the year. Still, he's efficient (40 TDs with just 7 picks) and is in tune with his offense. He's rarely the reason you lose a game.

The house money could be huge . Remember what head coach Chris Petersen did in BCS bowls with Boise State. While a national championship is on the line here, not too many people are believing in the Huskies. Petersen could have all kinds of trick plays up his sleeve.

What are the two biggest advantages Alabama have over Washington?

Sam Greszes: Sheer size on both the offensive and defensive line. They'll run the ball until Washington can prove they can stop it. Experience. I'm sure my colleagues will go more into the Xs and Os on their advantage picks, but Alabama has been here before. They know what the College Football Playoff is like.

Daniel Tran: Everything else? Oh just two? Well let’s start with that ridiculous defense. They, along with special teams, are heading into the game with 13 touchdowns, which was neck and neck with the South Carolina offense for a portion of the season. They’ve also held opponents to 11.8 points per game, which is tops in the country.

While Washington has the talented Myles Gaskin, the Alabama rushing attack has been tested and proven against the top rushing defenses like Auburn and LSU. Running back Damien Harris and quarterback Jalen Hurts leads a rushing attack that is sixth in the nation in yards per carry. With big bodies in the backfield and in the trenches, expect them to utilize the run early and often against the Huskies.

Shiloh Carder: Defense and Saban. Bama's historically stout defense is an advantage over everyone in the nation. Not only are they tough to score on, they score on you. It is almost unfair. Saban has won six of the last eight bowl games he's coached in and giving this coaching staff nearly a month to find weaknesses in an opponent is huge. Washington's Browning has come up a bit small in big moments and none he has faced is as big as this.

Biggest weakness for Washington

Sam Greszes: Literally being smaller, weaker and worse at football than Alabama is.

Daniel Tran: Despite being a heavy underdog, the Huskies are one of the more well-rounded teams in the country. They don’t really have a obvious weakness but are still expected to lose by more than two touchdowns from some oddsmakers. What may do them in is their offensive lines inability to deal with the speed and strength that the Crimson Tides’ defense presents.

In their only loss against USC, the Trojans were able to get three sacks and pressure Browning into two interceptions. With Washington facing the best defense in the nation, Browning can expect to have a long day.

Shiloh Carder: Experience. This program hasn't been in a spot like this in 25 years and haven't been at the top level of college football since the turn of the century. The other three teams – especially the one they'll be facing in Atlanta – have a ton of experience in the College Football Playoff.

Biggest weakness for Alabama 

Sam Greszes: An inability to adjust early on in games.

Daniel Tran: Despite having one of the best defenses in the country, Alabama has had some trouble guarding the big play . Against Arkansas’ poor passing offense, they gave up 400 passing yards. If the Crimson Tide is caught slipping against big play receivers John Ross and Dante Pettis, they could lose their chance to be one of the best college football teams ever.

Shiloh Carder: The secondary isn't the best. Injuries have made it thin and a few teams (most notably Ole Miss' Chad Kelly) have been able to throw on them. Browning will be the best passing quarterback the Crimson Tide will face this season. He is efficient, so the secondary may have a tough go of it.

Players to watch

Sam Greszes: Washington LG Jake Eldrenkamp . He'll need to keep his quarterback clean if the Huskies are going to have a chance.

Daniel Tran: Tough to pick between John Ross and Dante Ross against a defense that has given up some big plays, but Ross may have his number called more if Jake Browning is under pressure and needs someone to make a play. The pair have connect for a number of big plays this year and Ross can catch fire against Alabama.

Shiloh Carder: Myles Gaskin. If the Huskies running back can have success on the ground, that keeps Alabama's defense on the field and not able to ball hawk Browning's passes. Plus, if he is getting a lot of touches, that means Washington is in the ballgame.

Picks

Sam Greszes: Bama. They're too big and too strong. Listen, I hate picking them as much as you hate reading that I picked them.

Daniel Tran: No surprises here. As good as Washington has been this year, Alabama is just plain deeper and better than the Huskies. Washington will have its chances, but the Crimson Tides’ defense will smother the Huskies into submission.

Shiloh Carder: Alabama. For Washington to win, Browning has the buck his trend of bad games on big stages and this time he's going against one of the best defenses ever. Alabama has a much larger room for error.