Many Alabama fans seem pleased to have drawn MSU as their opponent in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, I've seen it described as "the perfect matchup" by some. In a way this is also the perfect matchup for the Spartans, not necessarily the easiest matchup— but without a doubt the perfect matchup.
Before No. 3-ranked MSU takes on No. 2-ranked Alabama in the Cotton Bowl for a berth in the national championship game, here are a few facts you might not know.
The MSU Spartan Marching Band and Alabama Million Dollar Band presented a dueling performance at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, Texas.
MSU alumni Ron and Diane Posa have been waiting for the Spartans to make it to this stage for a long time, but when MSU takes on Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal on New Year's Eve the Posas will be cheering for the Tide. This is because their son Chris Posa is a junior offensive lineman for Alabama — the only player from Michigan on the Crimson Tide's roster.
Nick Saban has established himself as college football's most successful head coach of the past decade. But before obtaining his four national championships in nine years, he made a decision to depart MSU prior to his 1999 team's Citrus Bowl matchup against Florida.
The world was a much different place back in 1965, but since then the MSU football team has reestablished themselves as one of the elite programs in the country, trying to repeat history and achieve national success.
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.
According to Forbes' 'College Football's Most Valuable Teams 2015' list, the Spartans have the 19th most valuable football program in the country.
Top 10 plays of the 2015 MSU football season so far
When senior safety RJ Williamson went down in week five with a torn biceps, his teammates promised him there would be two games left when he returned to the lineup. The trainers told Williamson he would probably not be ready until the postseason, so in other words— Williamson's teammates promised him the playoffs and they delivered.
MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio was incorrectly identified as 'Mike' Dantonio on the most recent cover of Sports Illustrated.
In MSU’s 42-41 win over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl last season, then-redshirt junior defensive tackle Joel Heath had a split sack with then-redshirt junior defensive tackle Shilique Calhoun and a split tackle-for-loss with then-redshirt junior linebacker Darien Harris.
The national championship game will commence Jan. 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona at University of Phoenix Stadium at 8:30 p.m. EST.
MSU’s miraculous last second touchdown off a botched punt attempt to defeat Michigan 27-23 was named play of the year Thursday night in a fan vote at ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards presentation. However, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio was on hand to accept it on Watts-Jackson’s behalf.
Most Important Tip? Before you start planning, honestly open up a map and look at the scale that is Dallas-Fort Worth.
A 365 view of Lucas Oil Stadium during the Big Ten championship game. The Spartans defeated the Hawkeyes, 16-13.
Ticket requests for MSU's Cotton Bowl Classic matchup against Alabama are now complete.
Senior quarterback Connor Cook has been regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the country all season long, Tuesday afternoon that talk was validated with some hardware. Cook's play this season has earned him the 2015 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually since 1987 to the nation’s top college quarterback.
Mark Dantonio is now a finalist for the 2015 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award handed out by the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Tickets for the 2015 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic are on sale now and purchasing options and information are available from the university.