Alabama and Michigan State will ring in the New Year together at AT&T Stadium, but only one of them will be celebrating when the clock strikes midnight.
The College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl features teams with similar philosophies and coaches who know each other well. Alabama enters as a sizable favorite, but Michigan State has built its reputation on winning as an underdog, especially against top 10 opponents.
The second-ranked Tide, representing the SEC, are the only returning participant in this year's playoff. They rebounded well from a Week 3 loss to Ole Miss and looked dominant for much of the stretch run.