Alabama routs Michigan State in Cotton Bowl

The play effectively broke Michigan State’s will to compete, and the Tide coasted from there.

After the Crimson Tide’s loss to Ole Miss, following two unimpressive wins, there was thought Saban’s dynasty was crumbling.

Probably the most staggering stat uttered New Year’s Eve was Clemson’s record when holding a lead after three quarters: 51-0.

Alabama is turning the Cotton Bowl into a rout. Calvin Ridley was a huge difference maker with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

Jones added a high-stepping 57-yard punt return touchdown for the Tide, which hardly even had to use Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry.

The win is redemption for last season’s loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff. Essentially in the new playoff format, four teams are named early in December who have a shot at the National Championship and this year, those four teams played in the biggest bowl games. And the first Cotton Bowl shutout since LSU’s 13-0 win over Texas in 1963. The two-year-old College Football Playoff, meanwhile, had managed to feature four different conferences reaching the first two title games, so that Alabama fans did chant eventually: “SEC!” Mullaney is a transfer from Oregon State.

Alabama was the favorite to win the title prior to the semifinal games, per Odds Shark, and that could have had as much to do with Saban as it did Henry or the defense. Strong hands and stronger will got him that one on replay and he sprinted by everyone with his feet for a 50-yard TD to cap off the third-quarter explosion. Officials initially ruled that Ridley was out of bounds, but changed that after review.

Alabama had the better quarterback – for the night, anyway. Running back Derrick Henry finished the drive with a one-yard score to make it 7-0.

Bama would wind it up with another quick touchdown, the last one of the night, midway through the fourth quarter. Connor Cook lobbed two errant passes for interceptions, completing just 19 passes on 39 attempts. He has been sacked three times. Michigan State’s chance to go into the half with something positive was snatched by Jones. Cook made several nice throws on the drive. “He went up and made a play”. The next time Alabama had possession, the Crimson Tide picked up right where they left off, driving for a 47-yard Adam Griffith field goal. Coker hit some big passes (50 and 41 yards) and didn’t commit a turnover. After throwing the ball, Coker was hit by defensive lineman Malik McDowell.

“I know he has the adrenaline rush of success along with knowing what’s ahead here”, McGarity said.

Quarterback Jake Coker had a big night for Alabama. Our guys will get back ready to start 2016. But they proved that meant nothing and came back with a vengeance. Wayne Gallman rushed for 150 yards and a pair of TDs. He did a really good job coming along this year and you can see it the last half of this season.

There is no score after one quarter at the Cotton Bowl.

Michigan State stacked the box to combat Henry.

Clemson (14-0) showed the sort of balance it will need to cope with Alabama’s stifling defense, rushing for 312 yards and passing for 218. It was downed by the Spartans at the 4. The Tigers spilled onto the field in celebration when time expired, and coach Dabo Swinney raved about his team after quarterback Deshaun Watson threw the ball skyward in celebration. The ball fell into the legs of a Michigan State defender on the ground, but then got knocked out of bounds.

The dominant defensive play allowed Alabama to take advantage of winning the coin flip and deferring to the second half to receive the kickoff. And Calvin did a great job of just getting up and making plays. There was another reverse and a pass completion that lost a yard before the Crimson Tide punted.

Ridley now has 1,031 yards on the season, the most ever for an Alabama freshman.

Jake Coker played his best game against Michigan State. Alabama hasn’t lost to them in more than a century.

After losing a halftime lead a year ago, the Crimson Tide were determined not to have it happen again. Just wow. Cook was a first-hand witness to one of the most complete defensive performances of the college football season.

There are still some games when they appear insane for expecting so much out of Saban. They are longtime friends, as are Izzo and current Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio.