Cotton Bowl 2015: TV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Michigan State vs Baylor
The No. 5 Baylor Bears didn't get the coveted College Football Playoff spot that they vied so desperately for, but they received quite the runners-up prize in being able to face Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.
Head coach Art Briles and his Baylor team bounced back from an early-season loss to West Virginia and finished 2014 on a tear. Depending on how they took the news on Selection Sunday, they will either enter AT&T Stadium disheartened or with a massive chip on their shoulder.
The Spartans missed out on an Orange Bowl appearance thanks to Mississippi State jumping them in the final CFP rankings, but with its only losses to Ohio State and Oregon on the year, Michigan State will be insistent upon making a statement.
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Let's break down a full preview and take a look at what you need to know for the Cotton Bowl.
What: 2015 Cotton Bowl
When: Thursday, January 1, 2015
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Start Time (ET): 12:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Odds (via Odds Shark): Baylor -3, over/under 70.5
Cotton Bowl Preview and Prediction
Feeling a bit of despair along with the undoubted jubilation of making a New Year's Six bowl would simply be natural for the Baylor Bears.
After all, they had every reason to believe that a season-ending victory over then-No. 9 Kansas State at home would be enough to supplant TCU for the fourth and final CFP spot. And while they did end up jumping their fellow Big 12 co-champions, Ohio State's dominant showing against Wisconsin allowed the Buckeyes to sneak in in their place.
Being invited to the Cotton Bowl is no small achievement, however, which Briles alluded to, per KCEN's Nick Canizales:
It wouldn't be surprising at all, however, for Baylor to come in ready to prove itself. The Bears have seemingly been counted out ever since a loss to West Virginia ended their unbeaten hopes, and still they finished the season immensely strong despite that.
Baylor's offense has been impossible to stop in that span, scoring at least 38 points in every game since the Oct. 18 defeat. Bryce Petty's offensive dominance has led to Baylor being the No. 1 scoring offense in college football.
It's rare for the Big 12 side to go up against as formidable a defense as Michigan State, who has allowed a 12th-best 19.8 points against per game. Baylor has only gone up against one scoring defense (TCU) currently in the top 25 in that regard.
Not to be lost in translation is the offensive prowess of Michigan State, which boasts burly running back Jeremy Langford and quarterback Connor Cook, per Cotton Bowl Classic:
The Baylor defense has rarely gone up against such a physical offense but showed in a big win over Kansas State that it can stuff running lanes and force teams into passing situations. If there's one place where Cook has struggled, it's in finding success when the run game is stalemated.
And the Spartans' lone weakness on defense could lead to their demise against Petty's treacherous arsenal of receivers. In Michigan State's two losses, it allowed 300 or more passing yards in each contest.
Petty won't torch the Spartan secondary all game long but will generate some big plays to get Baylor the quick points it has been living off of. It will be enough to build a sizable lead over a Michigan State team that won't give up.
The Bears will need all of the points they can muster early in what should become a slugfest late. But Michigan State has proven unable to complete late comebacks against the two elite teams it has faced, and some late offensive success won't be enough.
Prediction: Baylor 34, Michigan State 26
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