Thursday, December 31st, 2015

Cotton Bowl

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Michigan State Spartans take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday, December 31st, 2015 in the Cotton Bowl. The opening line for this game has Alabama as 9.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 49. The winner of this game will play for the National Championship on January 11th.

Michigan State was led in passing last game by Connor Cook, who finished with 191 yards through the air. He went 16 for 32 on the game, good for a 50% completion percentage. The Spartans were led in rushing by LJ Scott, who finished with 73 yards on 22 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 3 yards per carry. Aaron Burbridge led the team in receiving. He had a total of 61 yards on 5 receptions for an average of 12 yards per catch in the game. As a team in that game Michigan State had 365 total yards on 79 plays. They gained 9 rushing first downs, 10 passing, and 1 by way of penalty for a total of 20 first downs on the game. The Spartans rushed for 174 yards by way of 46 carries.

Alabama was led in passing last game by Jacob Coker, who finished with 204 yards through the air. He went 18 for 26 on the game, good for a 69% completion percentage. The Crimson Tide were led in rushing by Derrick Henry, who finished with 189 yards on 44 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 4 yards per carry. Calvin Ridley led the team in receiving. He had a total of 102 yards on 8 receptions for an average of 13 yards per catch in the game. Alabama had 437 total yards on 84 plays. They gained 14 rushing first downs, 9 passing, and 2 by way of penalty for a total of 25 first downs on the game. The Crimson Tide rushed for 233 yards by way of 58 carries.

Michigan State is scoring 32.1 points per game on offense this season. In the passing department, they are averaging 17.2 passes on 30.8 attempts for a 56 percent completion percentage this season. They throw for a total of 235.3 yards per game through the air as well. The Spartans are averaging 161.5 rushing yards per game on 40.5 attempts per contest for an average of 4 yards per carry. They are also running 71.3 plays per game and average 5.6 yards per play for an average of 396.8 yards per contest. The Spartans manage 21.8 first downs per contest and they average a total of 43.6 penalty yards on 5.3 penalties.

Michigan State allows 229.8 passing yards per game and 20.5 points per contest on defense. They give up 18.8 completions on 31.9 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 59. The Spartans allow an average of 113.1 rushing yards per game on 31.8 carries for a 3.6 average. Michigan State allows 342.9 total yards per game including 5.4 yards per play. They force 2.2 turnovers per contest and get flagged for 5.6 penalties for 48.2 yards per game.

Alabama averages 34.1 points per game this season on offense. In the passing department, they complete 20 passes per game on 30 attempts for a 66.7 percent completion percentage. They are throwing for 214.3 yards through the air per game thus far. The Crimson Tide rush for an average of 208.2 yards per contest on 43.2 attempts for an average of 4.8 yards per carry for the season. They also run 73.2 plays per game and average 5.8 yards per play for an average of 422.5 yards in each contest. The Crimson Tide are gaining 22.4 first downs per contest and they average 57.3 penalty yards on 6.2 penalties per game.

Alabama allows an average of 184.1 passing yards and 14.4 points per contest. They give up 15.5 completions on 31.5 attempts for a completion percentage of 49.1 per game. The Crimson Tide allow an average of 74 rushing yards per game on 31.1 carries for an average of 2.4 yards per carry. Alabama allows 258.1 total yards per game for an average of 4.1 yards per play. They force 1.8 turnovers per contest and 6.2 penalties for 48.9 yards in each contest.

Michigan State Betting Trends

Michigan State is 6-7-0 against the over/under so far this season

Michigan State has an ATS record of 5-7-1 this season

Alabama Betting Trends

Alabama is 5-8-0 against the over/under so far this season

Alabama has an ATS record of 7-6-0 this season

Injuries to Watch

Michigan State

12/06/15 FB Trevon Pendleton Leg "?" Thursday vs. Alabama
10/19/15 OL Dennis Finley Fibula out for season
10/18/15 DB Jalen Watts-Jackson Hip out for season
10/17/15 DB R.J. Williamson Bicep out indefinitely
10/02/15 DE Montez Sweat Suspension out indefinitely
09/19/15 CB Vayante Copeland Neck out for season
09/07/15 DB Mark Meyers Suspension out indefinitely
08/13/15 LB Ed Davis Knee out for season

Alabama

11/12/15 WR Chris Black Ankle out for season
09/25/15 Backup PK Gunnar Raborn Suspension out indefinitely
09/20/15 WR Robert Foster Rotator Cuff out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Michigan State

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