By Don Phillips
No. 3 MICHIGAN STATE (12-1, 7-1) VS NO. 2 ALABAMA (12-1, 7-1)
Date
……………………………………
Thursday, Dec. 31
Kickoff
……………………………………..
8:10 p.m. EST
Location
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Arlington, Texas
Stadium
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AT&T Stadium (71,815)
Surface
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Matrix FieldTurf
TV/Mobile
……………………………
ESPN/WatchESPN
Live Stats
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Gametracker (msuspartans.com)
Tickets
……………………………………………………
Sold out
All-Time Series
………………….
Alabama leads, 1-0
Last Meeting
…..
Alabama 49, MSU 7 (Jan. 1, 2011)
Current Series Streak
……….
1 by Alabama (2011)
Following the Dec. 5 win over No. 4 Iowa, the Spartans are 7-1 in their last eight games against AP Top 10 teams, including a 6-1 mark since 2013 and 3-0 in 2015. MSU beat No. 4 Wisconsin in 2011. Michigan State has won nine of its last 11 games played against ranked opponents, including five straight (No. 4 Baylor in 2015 Cotton Bowl; No. 7 Oregon on Sept. 12; No. 12 Michigan on Oct. 17, No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 21, No. 4 Iowa on Dec. 5). During its current five-game winning streak over ranked opponents, MSU trailed in the fourth quarter in four of the five games (only game not trailing in fourth quarter: 2015 vs. Oregon).
Fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in school history, owns a 34-4 record (.895) as the starter, including a 23-2 (.910) mark against Big Ten opponents. The 34 wins are second most among active starting quarterbacks in the NCAA FBS (Stanford’s Kevin Hogan with 35), and Cook’s .895 winning percentage is No. 1 (minimum 24 starts). Cook is 5-1 against AP Top 10 teams in his career and 8-3 against AP Top 25 opponents. He was named the 2015 recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The Spartans ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin (+1.46 per game) in 2014. MSU was +19 in the turnover department and forced 34 turnovers (16 fumbles, 18 interceptions), which ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and third most in the FBS. Conversely, the Spartans turned the ball over just 15 times (six fumbles, nine interceptions), fewest in the Big Ten. Michigan State ranked first in the Big Ten and tied for 10th in the FBS in turnover margin (+13, 0.93 per game) in 2013. The Spartans forced the most turnovers in the Big Ten (28) and also turned the ball over the least amount of times (15) in the conference.
Alabama ranks No. 1 in the NCAA FBS in rushing defense, giving up just 74.0 yards per game. The Crimson Tide have allowed just two teams to rush for more than 100 yards this season (Georgia: 193; Tennessee: 132). Alabama has only surrendered six rushing touchdowns all season, tied for the fewest in the nation. The Crimson Tide also rank second in the FBS in total defense (258.2 ypg.) and third in scoring defense (14.4 points per game) and sacks (3.54 per game). The Tide have been excellent on third down, allowing their opponents to convert just 28 percent of their attempts (55-of-197).
Offensively, Alabama ranks fifth in the SEC and 49th in the FBS in total offense (422.5 ypg.). The Crimson Tide feature the No. 3 rushing offense in the SEC (27th nationally), averaging 208.2 yards per game on the ground. Junior Derrick Henry, who became the second player in Alabama history to win the Heisman Trophy, leads the FBS in rushing yards (1,986) and rushing touchdowns (23) and ranks second in rushing yards per game (152.8 ypg.). A consensus first-team All-American, Henry also won the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards.
Senior quarterback Jake Coker has started all but one game for the Crimson Tide this season (did not start in loss to Mississippi). Coker has completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,489 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He transferred to Alabama from Florida State and served as the Seminoles’ back-up quarterback behind Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.
Stop Derek Henry from getting long runs, Michigan State wins. So call up the guys down at America’s Bookie, reload your account and get this one in before its too late.
Selection: Michigan State +10
