Alabama QB Jalen Milroe named a player who will determine the CFP race

The expansion from a four-team field to a 12-team playoff will bring a whole new list of factors that coaches, players , and everyone else have never even considered.

To win a national championship, teams will have to play over 15 games throughout the season and be put through a physical workload unseen in college football. Injuries will play an even greater factor and each team's depth will be tested.

One thing in this sport can overcome mismatches and injuries and that is elite-level quarterback play . In the NFL, which has a similar playoff format as college football now, the team with the best quarterback play is the team that usually wins. This trend will be even more evident in college football this fall.

Alabama has a quarterback who is capable of bringing that elite-level play to the table in Jalen Milroe and that is why ESPN ranked Milroe as the No. 4 player that will determine the college football playoff race.

On3's Nick Kosko said this about the Crimson Tide gun slinger:

"Milroe led Alabama to the College Football Playoff last season after winning the SEC with the Crimson Tide. He’s the biggest key to doing so again, this time under (Alabama head coach) Kalen DeBoer," Kosko said. "The personnel is a little different, but Milroe could develop further under the offensive-savvy DeBoer. Alabama is still in the hunt for the best team in the country."

Four other Alabama players were named to the list with wide receiver Kobe Prentice closing out the top 10 at No. 10.

"You want to talk about offensive weapons for Milroe? Prentice is expected to be the biggest. He’ll have to replace the production of an outgoing Isaiah Bond," Kosko said. "With Bond off to Texas, Prentice is the headliner of a relatively inexperienced Crimson Tide receiving corps. But if he hits the gas, he could certainly help Alabama to the College Football Playoff."

At No. 15, transfer cornerbacks Domani Jackson and DaShawn Jones were highlighted with center Parker Brailsford also coming in at No. 17.

Related: Joel Klatt reveals why he has Michigan ahead of Alabama in preseason rankings