Cotton Bowl Matchup
The Associated Press
No. 2 Alabama (12-1, SEC) vs. No. 3 Michigan State (12-1, Big Ten), Dec. 31, 8 p.m.
LOCATION: Arlington, Texas
TOP PLAYERS
Alabama: RB Derrick Henry broke Herschel Walker’s SEC single-season record with 1,986 yards rushing. His 23 rushing touchdowns matched the SEC mark shared by Tim Tebow and Auburn’s Tre Mason.
Michigan State: Fifth-year senior Connor Cook is the winningest quarterback in Spartans history, 34-4 as the starter and 5-1 vs. AP top 10 teams.
NOTABLE
Alabama: Won six games against ranked opponents, the most by any team. … 63rd bowl game, the most in college football history, as are its 34 bowl victories.
Michigan St.: Four-game bowl winning streak matches the longest in Big Ten history and is longest active streak in FBS. … 4-0 this season against ranked teams.
LAST TIME
Alabama 49, Michigan St. 7 (Jan. 1, 2011, Capital One Bowl, only previous meeting)
BOWL HISTORY
Alabama: Eighth Cotton Bowl appearance, first since beating Texas Tech 13-10 on last-second field goal in 2006.
Michigan St.: Second consecutive Cotton Bowl appearance, second overall.