The two teams practice on the field Jan. 1, 2015, before The Cotton Bowl Classic football game against Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Spartans defeated the Bears and claimed the Cotton Bowl Victory, 42-41. Erin Hampton/The State News
The week of CFP preparation has begun for the No. 3-ranked MSU football team as it arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport late on Christmas evening.
The team’s plane was welcomed with a grand entrance, including water cannons manned by DFW firefighters and a greeting from Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Chairman Dan Novakov.
DFW Airport is showering the #Spartans with affection. #CottonBowl pic.twitter.com/SjeiBtezr4
— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) December 25, 2015
Touched down in Dallas!
#Spartans
#CottonBowl
#CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/ih9C2x6XQb
— MSU Football Staff (@SpartanFBstaff) December 25, 2015
MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis was with the team and he entered in the Texas spirit, as he donned a fitting black cowboy hat.
#Spartans AD Mark Hollis has arrived in style... Texas style pic.twitter.com/LfyACoUvnN
— Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) December 25, 2015
The Spartans then headed to their Cotton Bowl headquarters at the Grapevine’s Gaylord Texan Resort, where another greeting took place with a southern tang.
The #Spartans arrived at the team headquarters in Grapevine, Texas, Friday night. #CottonBowl @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/NaISZBgiPF
— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) December 26, 2015
.@DantonioMark and his team arrived at the team headquarters (Gaylord Texan) Friday evening. #Spartans #CottonBowl pic.twitter.com/O1GguBvMG2
— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) December 26, 2015
The Spartans have a 10:30 a.m. news conference today and then will gather with the arriving No. 2-ranked Alabama football team for a welcome from the Dallas Cowboys.
MSU’s first practice of the week will start at 3:00 p.m. in AT&T Stadium, while the Crimson Tide will practice at Coppell High School in Arlington at 3:50 p.m.
The Spartans remaining preparation will include three practices, a trip to the Texas Scottish Rice Hospital on Monday and a final walk through on Wednesday.
The official kick-off time for the Cotton Bowl national semifinal has been announced for 8:10 p.m. EST on New Year’s Eve. The broadcast will feature Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN.
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