2015 Bowl Games: Picking all 41 college bowls and championship game against the spread

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; General view of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl logo before the game between the Baylor Bears and Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Alabama
Arlington, Texas | AT&T Stadium
Dec. 31, 8 p.m. on ESPN

Here are two coaches who know each other, two programs who play similar styles of football, and two teams who are among the elite in the nation.

Bruises? Probably a few.

The Spartans play solid defense. Alabama plays stellar defense.

The Crimson Tide will bring a good quarterback, Jake Coker. Michigan State will bring an outstanding quarterback, Connor Cook.

The Spartans play a very balanced offense, with a little more pass than run. Alabama plays a very balanced offense, with a little more run than pass.

So far, each team is cancelling the other one out. The X-factor? Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. Despite Michigan State having a top ten rush defense, this will be Henry’s day. He’ll help to avenge Alabama of the last two year’s postseason disappointments.

Line: Alabama, -9.5

That seems like a pretty big spread for two evenly matched teams. Have to take the Spartans to keep it closer than that.