The College Football Playoff comes to the Cotton Bowl this New Year's Eve, as the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 3 Michigan State Spartans face off for a shot at the national championship. Kickoff of the Cotton Bowl is set for 8 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN and streaming service available on WatchESPN.
Watch the Michigan State vs. Alabama Cotton Bowl Playoff online: Time, TV schedule, live stream and 3 things to know
The second Playoff matchup pits the Crimson Tide against its mirror image. Here’s how to see it.
The Crimson Tide is the only program to make the College Football Playoff field in both of the Playoff's first two seasons, and enter as Vegas' favorite to win the title this season, but Nick Saban's team has suffered through a postseason slump by its lofty standards. Alabama lost in last year's semifinal against Ohio State. At the end of the 2013 season, the Tide lost as a heavy favorite against Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. If the Tide are going to arrest their slide, they will likely do it the same way they have in the past: With a punishing running game and stifling defense.
Michigan State has followed the same approach as Alabama in the past, but the Spartans spent much of September and October adjusting to life without longtime defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. The Spartan defense found its legs in November, though; since allowing 39 points in its only loss of the season at Nebraska, Michigan State held its final four opponents under 17 points, including a 17-14 win over Ohio State and 16-13 victory in the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa. The Spartan running game is also finding footing, with 565 rushing yards in the last three games of the season.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: Alabama and Michigan State affiliates are available.
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Alabama is favored by 9.5 points
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Roll Bama Roll (for Alabama fans) and The Only Colors (for Michigan State fans).
Three big things to know
Mason-Dixon: For the second consecutive season, Alabama enters the College Football Playoff as the SEC Champion. For the second consecutive season, the Crimson Tide faces the Big Ten champion. And for the second consecutive season, Alabama is favored by more than a touchdown. Obviously, last season’s game did not go according to plan, but this Alabama team is reportedly more focused. It many only be a semifinal, but the argument over the nation’s best football conference could be decided here.
Losing their Smarts: It’s been a quiet month in East Lansing. Early rumors of Mark Dantonio possibly leaving to coach his alma mater, South Carolina, were quickly dismissed, and the Spartans have had few distractions. The same can’t be said for the Tide. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who has run the Alabama defense for the last eight seasons, was named the new head coach at Georgia and has been splitting time between the Crimson Tide’s Playoff preparations and rounding out his new staff. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was also rumored for head coaching positions, though he remains with Alabama. Even if Alabama’s players are more focused this year, there’s little doubt that at least one of its coordinators has been distracted.
Cook's back in the kitchen: Arguably the most impressive part of Michigan State's season-defining win over Ohio State was that it was done with a backup quarterback. First-team All-Big Ten signal caller Connor Cook was knocked out of the Spartans' game with Maryland due to a shoulder injury, missed the win over the Buckeyes, and was not fully healed for wins over Penn State and Iowa. Michigan State has made up for his injury with an improved running attack, but with Alabama sporting the nation's strongest rush defense, it could well be Cook's arm that decides if Michigan State keeps up with the Tide.
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