DALLAS — The clock is ticking down on Michigan State and Alabama, two College Football Playoff teams that couldn't possibly know and understand one another's philosophy any better.
The No. 3-ranked Spartans (12-1) play the No. 2 Crimson Tide (12-1) at 8:10 p.m. on Thursday in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Alabama coach Nick Saban is 8-0 against his disciplines, including a 49-7 win over MSU's Mark Dantonio on Jan. 1, 2011, that has helped fuel the tear the Spartans have been on since then.
Michigan State has won four consecutive bowl games since suffering the embarrassing defeat to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida.