Michigan State will have to get past Alabama if they want to reach the national championship.
Michigan State will have its first crack at the playoffs, as they go into AT&T stadium to face the highly favored Nick Saban and Alabama Crimson Tide. Both teams have identical records (12-1) and similar paths to the playoffs, as they play two different styles of football. The stakes are high but pretty simple for both teams: you either go hard or go home. Dantonio will rely on Connor Cook and company to match up well against Nick Saban's explosive offense and bruising defense.