Alabama Routs Michigan State 38-0; Heads to Title Game

He went 25-for-30 for a career-high 286 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-0 Cotton Bowl win and was named most outstanding offensive player.

The victor of the Cotton Bowl will play Clemson for the national championship on January 11.

Jake Coker played the game of his career, hooking up with Calvin Ridley for two touchdowns, as the second-ranked Crimson Tide aired it out to beat No. 3 Michigan State, 38-0, Thursday night and advance to the national championship game.

Dantonio has clearly established himself as one of the best coaches in college football and turned Michigan State into an elite program. “The pass rush was there”. Alabama’s Baylor-esque quick strike stunned Michigan State to the point that it never recovered.

When “Sweet Home Alabama” blasted through the venue in the fourth quarter, the place exploded as Alabama fans screamed “Roll Tide Roll”. “This year we wanted to sort of take the game”.

Cook, the No. 2 active quarterback in FBS victories with 34, helped make it happen. Michigan State’s offense generated just 29 rushing yards on 26 carries, and quarterback Connor Cook was largely ineffective in completing 19 of 39 passes for 210 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

Another point of concern for the Tigers is the health of their top pass-rusher in Shaq Lawson. Everything we saw on film was out there. It shows how hard we worked. “It makes things easier on me”.

Michigan State’s winningest quarterback missed badly several times while starting 4 of 11.

Michigan State was driving for a possible score before halftime, but the possession ended when Cyrus Jones intercepted a pass just short of the goal line with 6 seconds left in the first half. The Spartans are gritty; they proved that all year, especially in a win at Ohio State without their leader. The secondary, the third-ranked unit’s Achilles’ heel, was strong in coverage, highlighted by Jones’ interception in the end zone to close the first half. “And you’ve got to know what you’re up against when you play against people like that”.

Saban’s defense continued to stifle the Spartans in the second half, holding them to seven first downs and one play of more than 20 yards.

The first quarter was nothing but punts. “Try to eliminate them by moving the ball around, then see if we can get them exhausted, playing sideline to sideline, then go for the big shots with the wideouts”. “You could sense their frustration a little bit”.

Alabama took control to open the second half, going 75 yards on nine plays to extend its lead to 17-0 by taking advantage of two hands-to-the-face penalties on Michigan State.

HEISMAN HENRY: Alabama Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry is closing in on the first 2,000-yard rushing season in SEC history with 1,986 yards going into the Cotton Bowl.

Adam Griffith’s 47-yard field goal put the Crimson Tide ahead 10-0 at the end of the first half.

The fourth sack of Cook was a 10-yarder on an intentional grounding penalty when he tried to chuck the ball as he was driven into the turf by Tim Williams.

As Cox did her best to get Dantonio to engage and answer a few quick questions about what to expect from the Spartans against former MSU head coach Nick Saban and the Tide, Dantonio rushed through, clearly having his eyes on saying a few final words to his guys. “So that made a difference in the game in his ability to operate”. Officials initially ruled that Ridley was out of bounds, but changed that after review.

The Crimson Tide’s ferocious front roughed up Connor Cook from the outset.