Alabama quarterback Blake Sims and receiver Amari Cooper have formed one of college football's most dynamic and powerful connections.
If Ohio State can't find a way to disrupt that connection in the Sugar Bowl, the Crimson Tide could roll over the Buckeyes on their way to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
That will be a tough challenge for Urban Meyer's squad. Ohio State's secondary has made huge strides after a dismal season a year ago, when it ranked 110th nationally in pass defense, according to Eleven Warriors. Chris Ash was brought in as co-defensive coordinator to fix those issues—a move that worked out well for the Buckeyes, who rank 17th after allowing an average of 188.2 passing yards in 13 games this season.
But Ohio State hasn't faced a quarterback as efficient as Sims or a receiver with the game-breaking ability that Cooper possesses.
With Lane Kiffin calling the plays, Alabama's offense has evolved from its former run-heavy tendencies. The Tide have much more balance, fueled by the steady hand of Sims, who broke the single-season school record for passing yards in the SEC title game against Missouri.
In addition to his incredible production—he has 3,250 passing yards and 26 touchdowns—he's also very careful with the ball, ranking seventh overall in passing efficiency.
Sims' job is made easier by Cooper, who leads the nation in receptions (115) and receiving yards (1,656). The star junior has registered three games with more than 200 receiving yards (two of which came against top-30 pass defenses) and two games with three receiving touchdowns.
He's thought by many as the best receiver in the country, and his trophy case is starting to back that up.
Cooper was named the Biletnikoff Award winner and a first-team All-American, and he finished third in the Heisman Trophy race behind Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon.
Saban told reporters what makes Cooper the "complete package":
He's exceptionally good against press, coming off the ball, but he's also very good coming out of a break. Most of the time the defender gets beat either on the release or out of the break. A lot of guys are pretty good at one and maybe not as good at the other. And he has really good hands and good ball skills.
How can Ohio State stop these guys?
The most talented quarterback-receiver combo the Buckeyes saw this year came on the road against Michigan State, when they faced Connor Cook and Tony Lippett.
Cook leads the Big Ten in passing yards with 2,900 and Lippett is the conference's best wideout with 1,124 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. But when Ohio State traveled to Spartans Stadium on November 8, it made the duo look ordinary.
Lippett was shut down by senior cornerback Doran Grant in the first half, catching just one pass for 10 yards. The Spartans found themselves in a sizable hole in the second half and tried to pass their way out of it, but Lippett still finished with just five receptions for 64 yards and no touchdowns.
"He was chirping off at the mouth in the beginning, but as the game started going he was like, 'hold up,'" Grant told reporters. "I never let it faze me. He's a great player, obviously, the leading receiver in the Big Ten, it was a great battle out there."
Lippett talked about the difference between last year's Ohio State defense and the improved unit this season.
"They came out there prepared," Lippett said. "I would just say they're more prepared this year. They came out there aggressive and not just trying to hold on."
That's a process Ohio State will have to repeat against Alabama. With three-and-a-half weeks to prepare, the Buckeyes' coaching staff must come up with a plan to stop the unstoppable. According to USA Today's Nicole Auerbach, Meyer is fully aware of what his team is up against.
Will Ohio State alter its pass coverage more toward Cooper with double-teams and extra help? Or will it leave Grant to fend for himself in order to free up blitzers to pressure Sims?
It could be a combination of both. If they're successful, the Buckeyes would have a great shot of upsetting the Tide and advancing to the national championship game.
All stats via NCAA.com and B/R research.
David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
Read more Big Ten Football news on BleacherReport.com