While a majority of people expect Michigan State to fall short of Alabama in the semifinal of the College Football Payoffs this year, there are a few reasons why I wouldn’t count the Spartans out just yet. This match-up is guaranteed to be one hell of a game as MSU’s Mark Dantonio continues to stun the college football world with the team he has put together this year. Coming off a big win against undefeated Iowa in the Big Ten Championship, the Spartans have only given you a taste of the type of game you can expect to see on December 31st at the 2015 Cotton Bowl.
The coaching style Dantonio brings to the game is 3 yards in a cloud of dust, establish the run then throw the ball. But what sets his team apart from the rest is he has taught his players to be humble like himself and this attitude is what makes him such a favorable coach. While some may argue a lot of the team’s success this year is due to luck, I can assure you that is hardly the case. After defeating the reigning national champions on their own home field, Michigan State ended Ohio State’s 23-game win streak.
With a powerhouse defense starring Shilique Calhoun, the Spartans restricted Ohio State’s offense to 5 first downs the entire game. Ezekiel Elliot only ran the ball for 33 yards that night in comparison to his usual 150+ yards per game, when you can take a player like him out of the equation, you get big wins like this. With the work being put in by the defense Michigan State’s offensive line proved they were still a force to be reckoned with even without their starting QB, Connor Cook.
Make no mistake these boys deserve to be in the semifinals this year and they have all the skills needed to take down a team like Alabama. Their biggest obstacle is perhaps going to be controlling, one of this year’s Heisman nominees, Derrick Henry. With running backs his size, it is going to be hard on their defensive backs to keep up with him while at the same time respecting Alabama's passing game. But don’t be surprised when the Spartan’s defense counters back with big plays by Darian Harris and Montae Nicholson. On the other side of the ball, MSU’s offensive line is facing the nation's No. 1 rush defense. With that being said, they have to protect Connor Cook if they are successful in doing so they can definitely win this game.
One of the strongest qualities Michigan State possesses is how they play the game! This is no surprise when we take a look at the talent Dantonio has coaching under him. With big names like Harlon Barnett, Mark Snyder, and Mike Tressel working on the defense and Jim Bollman, Dave Warner, and Mark Staten on the offense it’s easy to see why this is one of MSU’s best seasons since Dantonio took over. Dantonio’s coaching staff puts together a game plan that gets the job done so if I were Alabama I wouldn’t count out the Spartans just yet.
History is doomed to repeat itself and the chances of them losing the semifinal game for the second year in a row are a lot greater than they might think.
