Alabama opens as 7-point favorite vs. Clemson in Playoff Championship

“This year, we really wanted to make a statement and do something special”.

The two best teams in the country throughout the entire 2015 college football season will meet at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 11th when the Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide face off in the second annual College Football Playoff National Championship game. The Tigers took care of Oklahoma 37-17 in the earlier semifinal Thursday.

“And”, he added, “we’re looking forward to try to do the same thing for the next game”. Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin had a great game plan for the game, starting out with plays to the edges to loosen up the Spartans’ defense. The Spartans rank 32nd nationally and lead the conference in 3-point shooting at 39.2 percent.ABOUT ALABAMA (8-3): Shannon Hale (team-best 12.9 points per game) has missed the last three contests with what coach Avery Johnson described as a “private medical situation” in talks with reporters.

McDowell said it’s possible the Spartans “might have been a little star struck” against Alabama, but he was more impressed by Jake Coker than Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry.

Johnson was less impressed with the way his team took care of the basketball.

“I’m not going to be someone I’m not”, Cook said.

Mark Dantonio, Michigan State coach: “We didn’t get it done collectively, that’s as coaches, that’s as players, that’s as a program”. First, this incredible touchdown grab from Calvin Ridley that gave Alabama a 17-0 lead. Henry had two touchdowns, which supported his 78 yards on 20 carries, his third lowest total of the season. We want to be positive people and look at the bright side.

In addition to Obasohan’s 23 points, Alabama got 15 points from Arthur Edwards and a strong 10-point, eight-rebound effort from sophomore Riley Norris.

On Thursday night, the Crimson Tide went out and proved it with a 38-0 semifinal scalding of Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl. That’s where the criticism of Cook should stop in the aftermath of Michigan State’s blowout loss to the Crimson Tide. Even without Lawson, the Tigers held OU to 67 yards rushing.

Sean Maguire was intercepted four times as FSU fell to 10-3.

“When they scored on the opening drive, that was the turning point”, he said. “The pass rush was there”.

Aside from Cook, several other seniors will also be moving on. He said his sore shoulder was fully healed and that he doesn’t need offseason surgery. A six-game losing streak undermined a 5-0 start as they dropped out of contention last week. He’s our quarterback that we’ve hung our hat on here for three years. Jake Coker played the game of his life, completing 25 of 30 passes for 286 yards and a pair of well-placed touchdown passes to Calvin Ridley. Finally getting some time, Cook made a couple of lovely throws to get the Spartans down to the Alabama 12.

The Tide is the only team to be playing in the College Football Playoff each of its first two seasons. After their dominance against Michigan State last night in the Semi-Final Game you would think Clemson has no chance.

It took two plays from the one, but Alabama took a 7-0 lead with just over five minutes left in the second.

Derrick Henry scores a touchdown. Michigan State had its four-game bowl winning streak snapped….

The Alabama defense is the strength of this team, and in addition to registering the shutout, the Crimson Tide defense limited Michigan State to 29 yards on 26 rushing attempts.

The first quarter was nothing but punts.