Brian Robinson, Stetson Bennett highlight CFP Standouts

Big games are for big-time players –– and it doesn't get much bigger than the College Football Playoff when it comes to amateur pigskin.

Here are the college football stars who made their presence felt in the College Football Playoff national semifinals.

Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama

They don't call him "The Bulldozer" for nothing. Robinson –– who was named Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP –– ran roughshod over the Cincinnati defense to the tune of 204 rushing yards on 26 carries, good for an average of 7.8 yards per carry. It was the first 200-yard game of the fifth-year senior's college career and just the fifth 100-yard game of his career, with all five of those games coming this season. His 204 rushing yards are the third-most in CFP history, trailing only Ezekiel Elliott, who ran for 230 and 246 in two CFP games in 2014. He also said an Alabama record for most rushing yards in a bowl game. What a day for Robinson to have a day.

Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama

As dominant as Robinson was on offense, Will Anderson matched him defensively for the Tide. 

While his stats might not jump off the page in the same way that Robinson's do, Anderson –– the game's defensive MVP –– was all over the place and lived in the Cincinnati backfield, proving seemingly un-blockable. He finished with two total sacks, six total tackles –– two of which were solo –– and one tackle for loss. He registered a sack for the eighth consecutive game and now has 17.5 sacks for the year, third-most in a single season by an Alabama player.

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

The Heisman Trophy winner wasn't as dominant as he has been in recent weeks –– he hasn't passed for under 200 yards in a single game this season until Friday –– but he got the job done for the Tide and broke a few records in the process. He completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 181 yards, three TDs and a pick, and he now holds the Alabama record for passing TDs in a single season (46). The record previously belonged to Tua Tagovailoa (43). He also broke Alabama's single-season passing yards record (4,503), a record previously held by Mac Jones (4,500).

Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia

Bennett was looking to bounce back from his performance in Georgia's first loss of the season in the SEC Championship against Alabama on Dec. 4. In that game, despite throwing for 340 yards and three TDs, he completed only 60.4% of his passes and was picked off twice. However, Friday proved to be the bounce-back game that Bennett needed. He completed 20 of 30 pass attempts for 310 yards, three scores and no interceptions. 

James Cook, RB, Georgia

James Cook stepped out of his brother Dalvin's shadow on the national stage Friday night. The senior running back rushed for 32 yards on six carries, but did most of his damage as a receiver, catching four balls for 109 yards and a score. It was his first 100-yard receiving game of the season and the second of his UGA career. 

Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia

The Georgia defense was great all-around –– per usual –– but Kendrick was the star, nabbing two interceptions on the evening, his third and fourth interceptions of the season. But not to be overlooked were linebackers Nolan Smith (eight tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one tackle for loss, one QB hit and one pass break up) and Nakobe Dean (seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble).