Alabama Bowl Game: 10 Predictions for the Tide and Spartans in Capital One Bowl

Flash back to the beginning of the 2010 college football season and set the stage of what’s to come – the Alabama Crimson Tide were threatening to reach its second straight National Championship, while the Michigan State Spartans were simply an afterthought in the Big Ten conference.

Instead, the Crimson Tide lost 3 games on the season, while the Spartans narrowly missed out on a BCS berth.  The result: The two teams will face off in the Capital One Bowl on January 1^st.

Here are ten present day, bold, quirky and unorthodox predictions for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan State Spartans and the 2011 Capital One Bowl:

Ten BOLD and Unorthodox Predictions for the 2011 Capital One Bowl

Prediction 1

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans (R) returned to the sidelines for a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-

Mark Dantonio will call at least one off-the-wall trick play before the game is over.

Prediction 2

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Defensive back Robert Lester #37 of the Alabama Crimson Tide intercepts a pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

With top receiver B.J. Cunningham injured and Alabama having the nation’s 12^th best pass defense, the Spartans will not have one wideout eclipse 60 yards receiving on the day.

Prediction 3

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Running back Knowshon Moreno #24 of the University of Georgia rushes around linebacker Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans at the 2009 Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo b

Michigan State senior linebacker Greg Jones will lead the game in tackles.

Prediction 4

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The talented Alabama defense featuring Courtney Upshaw and Marcell Dareus (20 ½ tackles for a loss combined) will force Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins (20 TD, 9 INT in 2010) to throw more interceptions than touchdowns.

Prediction 5

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Running back Edwin Baker #4 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans won 28-22.(

The Spartans will lose zero fumbles against the Crimson Tide defense.  On the season, Alabama opponents have only lost four fumbles, while Michigan State’s offense have lost nine.

Prediction 6

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

None of the three big backs (Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Edwin Baker) will reach 100 rushing yards.

Prediction 7

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a long reception against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

More than half of Greg McElroy’s passing yards will go to supertar wideout Julio Jones.

Prediction 8

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Courtney Upshaw #41 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Michigan State will convert less than 1/3 of its third down attempts against the Alabama defense.

Prediction 9

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks the sidelines during the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Nick Saban will not smile at any point when on camera.

Prediction 10

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Big Al, mascot of the Alabama Crimson Tide, against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

THE GAME: Alabama has balance and speed on both sides of the ball, and its defense will force multiple Michigan State mistakes on offense. Final: Alabama 30, Michigan State 21