Michigan State offensive line preps for Crimson Tide by viewing Ali-Frazier bout
By Nick Cole
Published:
Being mentally prepared is at least half the battle.
So you have to give the Michigan State offensive line some credit. They’re doing their homework on mental toughness in preparation for Thursday night’s Cotton Bowl showdown with Alabama.
According to The Associated Press’ Ralph D. Russo, the last minute film study for this segment of the Spartans football team has included what has been dubbed the “Fight of the Century.”
Spartans offensive line coach Mark Staten chose to show his position group the 1971 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to presumably be a foretaste of the battle to come with the Crimson Tide defensive front.
Russo reports that the the team is getting that message loud and clear:
Left tackle Jack Conklin said the message from Staten was: “It’s going to be a 15-round bout of two powerhouse teams taking blow-for-blow.”
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
