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Sports | Football

FOOTBALL

Rolled over

Using a dominating performance all over the field, No. 15 Alabama rolled No. 7 MSU, 49-7, in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. on Saturday.

FOOTBALL

MSU can help Big Ten make a stand against SEC

Orlando, Fla. — When No. 7 MSU and No. 15 Alabama meet on Saturday, it will be one of three Big Ten vs. SEC New Year’s Day matchups that will go a long way in determining conference standing next season. The Big Ten is 14-15 against SEC in the last 11 years.

FOOTBALL

Alabama and MSU rely on playmakers

Orlando, Fla. — When looking at No. 7 MSU and No. 15 Alabama, there is no shortage of offensive playmakers at the running back and wide receiver positions, as both teams feature game-changing talent. In their last media briefing before Saturday’s Capital One Bowl, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio and Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about limiting huge plays and making tackles.

FOOTBALL

MSU looks for a boost into the elite

The league of the elite in college football is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. This season, the MSU football team has been doing everything it can to get noticed and let in the door to join the rest of college football’s elite.

FOOTBALL

Spartans fans take Orlando

Orlando, Fla. — When MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis was campaigning to bowl officials to choose the No. 7 Spartans for a BCS game following their 11-1 Big Ten championship season, one of his main selling points was the willingness of the Green and White fans to travel anywhere in the country to watch their team play. The Spartans didn’t receive a bid to a BCS bowl, but fans are proving Hollis right in Orlando, Fla.

FOOTBALL

Capital matchup

As expected, Mark Dantonio and his No. 7 MSU football team were denied a BCS bid in favor of fellow conference champions Ohio State and Wisconsin. And yet, when the Spartans take on No. 15 Alabama in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011, in Orlando, Fla., Dantonio said he believes it will be MSU’s bowl game that is the best matchup involving any Big Ten team, including the Rose and Sugar bowls.

FOOTBALL

Dantonio prepares to face former mentor, Saban

About 11 years ago, T.J. Duckett was a confused 18-year-old freshman. Then a bruising tailback for the MSU football team, which was preparing to take on Florida in the 2000 Citrus Bowl, Duckett was with the Spartans in large part because he wanted to play for then-head coach Nick Saban.

FOOTBALL

Breakdown: MSU vs. Alabama

When the Spartans and No. 15 Crimson Tide play in the Capital One Bowl, set for 1 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2011, in Orlando, Fla., plenty will be at stake, including conference bragging rights and the chance to ring in their new year with a victory.

FOOTBALL

Tide hasn't lived up to expectations

A 9-3 overall record, 5-3 conference record and a berth in the Capital One Bowl versus the No. 7 ranked MSU Spartans would be considered a successful season at most programs across the country. Not at Alabama.