The Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan State Spartans meet up in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Wednesday as part of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Crimson Tide favored to pick up the victory and play for a national title.
This is one of two games to decide who plays for a college football title this season, Clemson and Oklahoma are playing in the other game, which should be completed by the time this one kicks off. In this one, Alabama and Michigan State are the second and third-ranked teams in the standings, but this one looks to be the better overall matchup.
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide went 12-1 this season, the same record Michigan State had under Mark Dantonio. Both teams play solid defensively and have a very strong running game, the Spartans have the edge at quarterback with Connor Cook, however.
One thing Michigan State does not have is Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, who set an SEC record for rushing yards this season with 1,986 and will be looking to increase that total, along with his 23 touchdowns on the ground. The Spartans bring the seventh-best rush defense in the country to the table in this one, their secondary is not as good as it has been in recent seasons. Alabama loves to run the ball, but they will have to test the back end of the Spartan defense with Jake Coker.
Cook is a pro-style QB that threw for 24 scores this season, he will be bothered up front all day by the Alabama front seven. Michigan State's offensive line is a strong one and will have to play well to keep Cook from getting sacked enough to have a big impact.
The Spartans have played in close games all season, the narrative for Mark Dantonio and his team relies on no respect. Michigan State is always taking the underdog role, even when they are the better team. They won six games this season decided by a touchdown or less and that will play big in this one.
Alabama played in only two games decided by less than 13 points, but they are better on both sides of the football. The Crimson Tide don't beat themselves and even in a game where they are favored by a comfortable margin in the playoffs, they will show the muscle and grit to win.
Free Pick: Alabama
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