CFB Playoff 2015-2016: Previewing Cotton Bowl

Connor Cook, Michigan State

For the second straight year, it felt like the sky was falling in Tuscaloosca. The Tide sputtered offensively, committing five turnovers, and looked over-matched against Ole Miss in early September, in a game that looked terrifyingly similar to the 2014 loss. Was the Alabama dynasty under Nick Saban finally drawing to a close? Well no. Not at all actually. All Alabama did after that was completely shut down everyone else they played including LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Georgia and Tennessee. Then, Alabama completed their ascension back into the Playoff by taking down a weak Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Now, Alabama is trying to do something they didn't do by losing to Ole Miss: make good on some of their few mistakes in 2014, by winning a Playoff game.

The Tide, for the second consecutive year, will get a Big Ten team standing in their way. Pretty quietly, Mark Dantonio has built an absolute powerhouse at Michigan State, winning 11 or more games in five of their last six seasons, and winning four pretty notable bowl games in that span. The Spartans immediately jumped into the Championship picture by beating Oregon in a thriller, but things looked like they were bound to unravel after that. Michigan State sneaked by some absolutely terrible teams in some wacky ways (cough, cough, Purdue and Rutgers) and looked doomed against a flaming hot Michigan team. But, then absolute craziness happened. If you haven't seen Blake O'Neill's fumble that was returned to the house by the Spartans by now, you probably don't know college football. Then, it seemed like luck had caught up with him, as they lost in a thriller to Nebraska, that featured a very controversial call. So, MSU was out of the Playoff race right? The season shifted completely once more, as MSU shut down Zeke Elliott and Ohio State en route to a huge win, clinching them the Big Ten East essentially. A pretty boring, physical win over Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game clinched Michigan State a spot in the Playoff. Much of the success over the year was due to senior QB Connor Cook, who kept the team grounded despite constant chaos. Cook threw for 2,921 yards and 24 touchdowns over the season, not insane numbers but consistent. He also cut down on turnovers and seemed to play better when Michigan State need him most. Joining Cook will be a solid group of backs, headed by true freshman L.J. Scott, who had a great Big Ten Championship. Completed with Aaron Burbidge, a truly dynamic weapon on the perimeter, and an experienced offensive line, Michigan State will bring a very balanced and consistent offensive approach to the table against a scorching hot Alabama defense.

That Alabama defense seemed to take offense when they were questioned after the loss to Ole Miss. All they have done since then is shut down a number of great offenses and players, namely Leonard Fournette, Dak Prescott, Kyle Allen and Peyton Barber at Auburn. The Tide defense shouldn't suffer much even with Kirby Smart ditching to take the Georgia job. They have a ton of guys that are definitely going to be playing on Sundays, in typical Alabama fashion. Linebacker Reggie Ragland is a hungry, aggressive tackler, while the secondary is stocked with Eddie Jackson and rising Minkah Fitzpatrick, a young but superb defensive back. Up front, the Tide plug any holes for running backs, led by A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and more, all who weigh in at 300-plus pounds. Michigan State's offensive line is experienced and battle-tested, but even they haven't faced a defense with as much bulk and power as Alabama's. Though, Mark Dantonio is a great coach and he should have Michigan State's offense completely well prepared.

Alabama does what Alabama does, and that means running the ball, a lot. They ran Derrick Henry to a Heisman, as the junior plowed over anything that dared stand in his way. Henry ended up rushing for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns en route to becoming the best player in college football. Most of Henry's success came in late in games, when the opposition was just too tired defensively to stop the mack truck of a back. He is also flanked by Kenyan Drake, a more change of pace back with more speed than Henry. That give defenses absolutely nightmares, containing a two-headed monster of a backfield. Though, if there remains a team that can stop the pair, it is Michigan State. Their defense is stocked with experienced leaders, who have faced plenty of hard runners in the Big Ten. They play sound, correct defense and are extremely disciplined. Just as important, they are good tacklers, as Henry runs through arm tackles like they are absolutely nothing. The Spartans will have to stop Henry for 60 minutes, which will obviously be one heck of a challenge, but they should fight admirably. Certainly the goal for the Spartans defensively is to force Alabama to throw the ball as much as possible. Florida State transfer Jake Coker has done a good job taking over the Alabama offense, but he still is pretty limited. He isn't good throwing done the field, and often panics if the pocket collapses. If massive Shilique Calhoun and the rest of the MSU defense can get some serious pressure on him, they will have a serious advantage. They will also make sure to stop true freshman Calvin Ridley, who has been on an absolute tear this season, quickly becoming Coker's favorite target. Michigan State's defense struggles if you can complete deep throws against them, like most do it isn't rocket science.. They communicate well for the most part, but diversity in the passing attack is a must. Unfortunately, Alabama just doesn't have much of it, which could play well into the Spartans' hands.

This Cotton Bowl should be a pretty typical, grind-it-out football game, and should replicate a typical Alabama slugfest. Though, I think Michigan State is completely prepared for the battle. Alabama has not faced an offense as balanced or multidimensional as the Spartans' offense since Ole Miss, when they let up over 40 points. Alabama will still run the ball heavily, and they should still find at least some success in that aspect of the game. Even with an experienced group and a disciplined unit, Michigan State won't be completely able to contain Henry and Drake. Though, they should at least slow it down and force Coker's hand. Coker could very well have a great game, but the better chance is he won't, especially with a very cunning and ball hawking MSU secondary. Maybe I'm dumb for picking against Alabama. After all, they have only been beating down everything that comes near them for months on end now in the nation's toughest conference. But, there is just something about this Michigan State team. Maybe their luck has ran out, maybe they just won't be able to move the ball. Or maybe, their strengths can completely attack Alabama's minimal weaknesses, and the Spartans can firmly prove to a national audience that this is a football program prepared to play on a Championship level for the foreseeable future.
Michigan State, 24 Alabama, 20

CFB Playoff 2015-2016: Previewing Orange Bowl

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

It is easy to understand why there was anxiety around the Oklahoma football program entering 2015-2016. The Sooners were coming off a 8-5 year, a year in which they were a trendy Playoff pick. They were coming off major staff changes, that included bringing in 32-year-old Lincoln Riley as offensive coordinator. They were losing a number of players to the NFL, and above it all were the face of a university going through questions after a video of a racist frat went viral. And yet, what happened? The Sooners used Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield to engineer an improbable and entertaining rise to the College Football Playoff, where they will get their shot at taking down the nation's top squad, the Clemson Tigers in an Orange Bowl set to be a great one.

Mayfield arrived from Texas Tech to Norman as a walk-on. He had his moments at Texas Tech, but Kliff Kingsbury would soon fall in love with another young quarterback, Davis Webb, essentially forcing Mayfield out. Mayfield came out of nowhere to take over the quarterback job from incumbent Trevor Knight and threw 3,389 yards and 35 touchdowns. Just as impressive is the fact that he had just five interceptions and showed amazing efficiency despite being in air raid offense. Mayfield is a fearless, exciting player and Clemson's defense will have their hands full containing the junior. They will also have their hands full with the two-headed backfield, headed by Samaje Perine. Perine is a bulldog, amazingly strong for his size, but also possessing great speed and explosiveness. He will be joined by youthful Joe Mixon, who has had some moments this season. Expect big things as well from receiver Sterling Shepard. Shepard is truly a great story, a guy who grew up with the Oklahoma program and had to endure some tough years earlier in his career. Now though, he is the star receiver on the Big 12 Champion Sooners. The Tigers will attempt to counter Shepard with their top defensive back Mackensie Alexander, a proven NFL prospect. The former five-star recruit has amazing agility and great awareness, but Shepard should still find ways to make plays. Expect junior college transfer Dede Westbrook and underrated Durron Neal to help out Mayfield in the lethal Oklahoma passing game as well.

On the other side, Clemson is far from a slouch on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore Deshaun Watson, along with a suffocating defense, was a major reason why the Tigers went 13-0 and finished off the regular season with the nation's No. 1 spot. Watson built on a very promising true freshman year by throwing for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns and also showing he can be very dangerous with his legs, helping him finish off third in Heisman voting. Oklahoma's defense has been productive all season long, and it will be interesting to see how they handle Watson. The Sooners do have a number of solid players in their front seven that should help them succeed. Joining Watson is back Wayne Gallman, who put together a quietly huge year. With many teams focused intently on Watson, Gallman took advantage and ran for 1,332 yards and 10 scores. Gallman isn't an absolutely electrifying player, but he is a hard runner that can move the chains consistently. The Sooners will have to stop a number of Clemson weapons on the perimeter, mainly Artavis Scott, who has been Watson's favorite target over the past two years. Expect cornerback Zack Sanchez to be the one tasked with slowing down Scott. Sanchez has long been an established defensive back for Oklahoma, and has been even better this season.

While both teams will get a lot of attention because of their offenses, the talent on the other side of the ball is undeniable. Behind underrated defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Clemson held opponents to just 20 points per game, and showed a knack for forcing turnovers. Not only will Alexander play a big role in defending Shepard, but expect a big day from defensive end Shaq Lawson (in what should be his final game in a Tiger uniform) and the experienced crop of linebackers Clemson possesses. For Oklahoma, Sanchez will obviously play a huge role, as will linemen Charles Tapper. But, the player that may wreak the most havoc in this one is Eric Striker. Striker made a name for himself in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in 2014, and is a physically imposing outside linebacker. Striker is blessed with a powerful first step and incredible stamina. He should definitely be dialed in and ready to get after Watson. Expect Clemson to install special blocking packages just so tame Striker.

In the two Playoff semifinals, this matchup holds the most intrigue for me. Not only does it feature two exciting offenses that can put points up in a hurry, it features two interesting squads. Clemson isn't familiar to being the team everyone wants to take down nationally, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust. Meanwhile, Oklahoma feels like a underdog, and is on absolute fire since a midseason drubbing at the hands of Texas. The more I watch Oklahoma, the more I see last year's Ohio State team. So many of the pieces fit together. Mayfield represents Cardale Jones, a highly doubted, but strong-armed and strong-willed quarterback. Mixon and Perine represent Ezekiel Elliott running all over opposing defenders. And, Shepard represents Devin Smith from a year ago, a senior ready to go out in a big way. Clemson is a heck of a football team and they might win against either Michigan State or Alabama. But, they drew a motivated and hungry Oklahoma team that nobody wants to play.
Oklahoma, 35 Clemson, 31