Michigan State
1st Big Ten11-1
Alabama
5th SEC9-3
Michigan State @ Alabama preview
Camping World Stadium
The Skinny: Much of the focus will be on Alabama coach Nick Saban, whose Crimson Tide is matched against Michigan State, the program that Saban headed from 1995-99.
No. 18 Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC) lost three games by a total of 18 points, including a one-point loss to rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Tide features 2009 Heisman Trophy candidate Mark Ingram, who was limited to 816 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
No. 7 Michigan State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) wound up in a three-way tie for first in the Big Ten, but lost the tiebreaker.
Point Spread: Alabama -10. Over/under — 52.
Alabama's Edge: The Crimson Tide is led by its defense. With Courtney Upshaw (5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss ), Marcell Dareus (3.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss) and Damon Square (3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss), Alabama is tough to move. The Tide ranks sixth in the nation in total defense (296 yards) and fifth in scoring defense, allowing only 14.1 points per game. Robert Lester led the SEC with seven interceptions.
Michigan State's Edge: Consistency on offense has been a strong point for the Spartans all season; only once have they been held to fewer than 26 points. They bring balance to the table, running for 168 yards and throwing for 237 yards per game. Running back Edwin Baker is the glue, with 1,187 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Mark Dell has 49 catches for 761 yards and six touchdowns.
The Quarterbacks: Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, a two-year starter, has thrown for 2,705 yards and 20 touchdowns, but has been intercepted nine times. Alabama's Greg McElroy ranks sixth in the nation in passing efficiency; he's thrown for 2,767 yards and 19 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. McElroy suffered a concussion against Auburn, but should be back for the bowl game.
NFL Prospects: Alabama — OT James Carpenter, RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones, DE Marcell Dareus. Michigan State — ILB Greg Jones, CB Chris Rucker, TE Charlie Gantt, OT D.J. Young.
Bowl history: Alabama is 32-22-3 in bowl games and is coming off a 37-21 win over Texas in last season’s BCS Championship game. It will be the Crimson Tide’s first appearance in the Capital One Bowl.
Michigan State is 7-13 all-time in bowl games and has lost in its last four bowl appearances, including 41-31 to Texas Tech in last year’s Alamo Bowl. The Spartans lost to Georgia 24-12 in the 2008 Capital One Bowl.
Etc.: Alabama will be without strong safety Mark Barron, a third-team All-American in 2009, who tore a pectoral muscle against Auburn. Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard missed the last three games at cornerback with a knee injury and is questionable. Teammate B.J. Cunningham, who caught 50 balls for 611 yards and nine scores, won't play after breaking his foot in practice.
No. 18 Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC) lost three games by a total of 18 points, including a one-point loss to rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Tide features 2009 Heisman Trophy candidate Mark Ingram, who was limited to 816 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
No. 7 Michigan State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) wound up in a three-way tie for first in the Big Ten, but lost the tiebreaker.
Point Spread: Alabama -10. Over/under — 52.
Alabama's Edge: The Crimson Tide is led by its defense. With Courtney Upshaw (5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss ), Marcell Dareus (3.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss) and Damon Square (3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss), Alabama is tough to move. The Tide ranks sixth in the nation in total defense (296 yards) and fifth in scoring defense, allowing only 14.1 points per game. Robert Lester led the SEC with seven interceptions.
Michigan State's Edge: Consistency on offense has been a strong point for the Spartans all season; only once have they been held to fewer than 26 points. They bring balance to the table, running for 168 yards and throwing for 237 yards per game. Running back Edwin Baker is the glue, with 1,187 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. Mark Dell has 49 catches for 761 yards and six touchdowns.
The Quarterbacks: Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, a two-year starter, has thrown for 2,705 yards and 20 touchdowns, but has been intercepted nine times. Alabama's Greg McElroy ranks sixth in the nation in passing efficiency; he's thrown for 2,767 yards and 19 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. McElroy suffered a concussion against Auburn, but should be back for the bowl game.
NFL Prospects: Alabama — OT James Carpenter, RB Mark Ingram, WR Julio Jones, DE Marcell Dareus. Michigan State — ILB Greg Jones, CB Chris Rucker, TE Charlie Gantt, OT D.J. Young.
Bowl history: Alabama is 32-22-3 in bowl games and is coming off a 37-21 win over Texas in last season’s BCS Championship game. It will be the Crimson Tide’s first appearance in the Capital One Bowl.
Michigan State is 7-13 all-time in bowl games and has lost in its last four bowl appearances, including 41-31 to Texas Tech in last year’s Alamo Bowl. The Spartans lost to Georgia 24-12 in the 2008 Capital One Bowl.
Etc.: Alabama will be without strong safety Mark Barron, a third-team All-American in 2009, who tore a pectoral muscle against Auburn. Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard missed the last three games at cornerback with a knee injury and is questionable. Teammate B.J. Cunningham, who caught 50 balls for 611 yards and nine scores, won't play after breaking his foot in practice.