LJ Scott’s game-winning TD from awesome angle

The Tigers earned the No. 1 seed and will face No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve, with the victor advancing to the national title game against either Alabama or Michigan State. They wound up promoting Michigan State to the third position, after the Spartans knocked off unbeaten Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, and dropped the Sooners one spot to fourth.

The Crimson Tide lost to Ole Miss at home in late September, a game that left Alabama uneasy about its passing game and in need of help just to win the SEC West.

Cotton Bowl – No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State.

Before winning bowl games the past four years, Dantonio’s first really good season as the Spartans’ head coach ended with an embarrassing bowl loss to the Crimson Tide and the coach he calls a mentor. And the Michigan State-Alabama game, according to the Las Vegas Superbook, opens Bama as a 9.5-point favorite over MSU.

“We know what kind of physical, tough teams they have at Michigan State, and it will be a real challenge for our team”, Saban said Sunday. Heading into the final weekend, the committee had most of its debate settled as Stanford beat Notre Dame, the highest-ranked 10-2 teams in the country. Michigan State’s last AP national title was 1952. They are 12-6 in Orange Bowl games – oh, and by the way, four of their seven national championships have come in the Orange Bowl, including their most recent one in 2000, Stoops’ second season at Oklahoma. Oklahoma was thought to be doomed by a midseason loss to Texas, but won seven straight by a combined score of 364-136 to secure their spot in the CFP mix.

The Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl is flying somewhat under the radar as a crucial game in the perpetual argument about the strength of the Big Ten – which is nearly always in comparison to the SEC. “We weren’t always pretty but championship teams find ways to win, and that’s what this team has done time and time again”.

Clemson goes into the playoffs as the only undefeated team.

The Celebration Bowl pits the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion against the Southwestern Athletic Conference victor.

Alcorn State clinched its invite by winning the SWAC championship Saturday, 49-21 over Grambling State.

The first time Michigan State reached No. 1 was in 1978-79 when the Spartans were led by a revolutionary point guard named Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

The victory turned Michigan State’s selection into the four-team playoff into a virtual formality.

Somehow, Cook finished with the Big Ten Championship MVP trophy by completing 16-of-32 for 191 yards and an interception. ‘Three top-10 victories on their resume now.

A year ago a Big 12 team had been sitting at No. 3 the week before the final rankings were released only to fall out of the playoff altogether.

The college football playoffs show begins at noon on ESPN.

Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) and wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium.

Going into the game, Iowa was No. 4 in the College Football Ranking, with Michigan State No. 5. Will Ohio State’s offense continue its momentum from the MI game?