The second annual College Football Playoff is soon approaching and the Alabama Crimson Tide will be going toe-to-toe against the Spartans of Michigan State. This will certainly be the more physical of the two games being played on New Year's Eve. But in my opinion, this match up favors Alabama for three reasons.
1. Alabama's D-Line vs. Michigan State's O-line
Alabama has always been a embarrassment of riches when it comes to depth of four- and five-star talent, but this year is a prime example of that on the defensive front. Defensive coordinator is a kid in a candy store rolling in a new line of the best in the land whenever he sees fit; Michigan State has no such luxury. While State has one of the best lines in the country, they have been hurt most of the year and have not faced a team as talented and as deep as Alabama is in that front seven. Alabama will take away the run early and dare Connor Cook to beat them all while a "tidal wave" of NFL first rounders attack him. Hope they are up for the challenge, not many teams have been.
2. Derrick Henry
Like I wasn't going to mention the newest Heisman trophy winner. Games like these under the bright lights with the whole country watching is what Alabama's Derrick Henry lives for. Bama has been running him down opposing teams' throats all year, daring teams to stop him. Spoiler alert: they didn't. It doesn't matter that Michigan State's defense is one of the best and most consistent in the country. Oh, and Alabama's offensive line was just named the best in the country (did you see the size of that trophy?) and have been given almost a month to get healthy. Quarterback Jake Coker has gotten better and better every game so good luck, Sparty...
3. Nick Saban
Look, this might sound like a cop out, but it's true. Nick just does not lose to guys who have coached under him before and guess who was on his staff...the head Spartan in charge, Mark Dantonio. While it is still college football and anything can happen, two other factors that play in the Saban's favor are: 1) he recruits much better than Sparty (four-straight number one recruiting classes); and 2) he has been there before. Last year down the stretch, Bama looked unstoppable and a lock to win. But they didn't. They got punched in the mouth by Ohio State and were left with their thoughts for a whole year.
This year, Bama didn't have a watch party for their playoff seeding (Clemson had a 20,000 person pizza party). But it's all business when the game kicks off on New Year's Eve, and you better believe the best in the biz will have the last laugh this time.
This will probably be the most physical game college football has seen in a long time. I just can't see Alabama losing this one, but I'll knock on wood just in case. Happy New Year and Roll Tide!
