Fansided

Cotton Bowl 2015, Michigan State vs Alabama preview, predictions, odds and live stream info

By Charles Rahrig V

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) celebrates his touchdown catch with Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor (50), Ryan Kelly (70) and Richard Mullaney (16) against the Florida Gators during the third quarter in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) celebrates his touchdown catch with Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor (50), Ryan Kelly (70) and Richard Mullaney (16) against the Florida Gators during the third quarter in the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Alabama

The moment that everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived. The College Football Playoffs are here and there’s two big semifinal games set for New Year’s Eve. One Thursday night, the Michigan State Spartans and Alabama Crimson Tide will meet in the 2015 Cotton Bowl. The stakes have never been higher, as the winner of the game will move onto compete for the National Championship in Glendale, Arizona.

This game has everything that anyone could ever ask for. It has two great coaches in Nick Saban and Mark Dantonio. The game has two physical and brutal defenses. It also even features the Heisman Trophy winner, Derrick Henry. Everything that makes college football great takes place in one game.

Details for Thursday’s game are below.

Date: Thursday, December 31

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Location: Arlington, TX

Stadium: AT&T Stadium

TV Info: ESPN

Keys to Victory

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook is as talented as they come, but against Alabama, he will be facing one of his biggest challenges yet. He’s got a nasty defensive line that will be sending him different looks and schemes all day to try and confuse him into making mistakes. His offensive line is going to have protect him better than they have all season.

On offense, the Crimson Tide are going to look to do what they do best, and that’s hand the ball off to Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake. Both Alabama running backs can make the big plays happen on the field. Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, has the ability to bust the big run at any given moment.

On defense, the Crimson Tide are going to have to shut down the run and get after Cook. That means Jonathan Allen and company have to make a mark early defensively. If they can get pressure, that will allow their linebackers and secondary to make plays deep.

Defensively for the Spartans, they have to stop the running game of Crimson Tide and now allow quarterback Jake Coker to find receiver Calvin Ridley, who has made a career out of making the big play. Alabama likes to pound the run and then burn teams with Ridley. Michigan State has to be ready.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Alabama -10

Moneyline: Alabama -110

O/U: 46

Prediction

This game has the potential to be one for the ages. It’s going to be physical and points are going to be hard to come by. The team that can finish quarters as well as they start them will leave this game and move onto the National Championship in Glendale, Arizona. While Michigan State is as tough as they come, the Crimson Tide might just have a little more power behind them. Alabama doesn’t cover the spread, but they pull out a physical message, as they send a message to their next opponent.

Pick: Alabama 24, Michigan State 20

Home/College Football