Which players will have the biggest impact in the College Football Playoff? Narrowing down four teams of starters and key contributors to just 25 players is an almost-impossible task, but we're taking it on to get you ready for Georgia vs. Ohio State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN) and Michigan vs. TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN).
These are the players who will most help decide the outcome of the semifinal games. These rankings are not based on NFL draft stock or pro projections but rather which players will have the biggest impact in their New Year's Eve matchups.
Will the top standouts from the vaunted Ohio State passing game find a way against the elite playmakers on Georgia's defense? Can TCU get it done versus a stout Michigan team? Let's take a closer look at who will help answer those questions, ranking the top 25 players across all four rosters.
1. Max Duggan, QB, TCU
Duggan was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2022 for a reason. His dual-threat ability and deep-ball prowess make him more important to TCU's offense than any other player is to their team in the College Football Playoff. Duggan's 30 passing touchdowns to just four interceptions and Total QBR of 80.2 highlight his productive and turnover-free style of play. Add in over 400 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, and you have most of TCU's offense bottled up in one player.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Rounds 6-7
2. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Carter, who missed time with knee/ankle injuries this year, has been unstoppable since returning to the lineup against Florida at the end of October. And while he has just three sacks on the season, Carter's impact as a penetrator and as someone multiple offensive linemen must account for will dictate the Buckeyes' offensive game plan. For Ohio State to pull off an upset win, Carter must be neutralized.
Projected 2023 draft stock: Top-10 pick
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison has been the best receiver in the nation — and in a year in which he was supposed to be the Robin to Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Batman. But injury hit JSN, and Harrison emerged as the go-to threat for the Ohio State passing game. He has 72 catches for over 1,100 yards and 16.1 yards per catch, and his 12 TD catches and 55 first downs both ranked in the top five in the FBS. Shutting down Harrison is the first order of business for Georgia.
NFL draft eligible: 2024