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Twitter reaction to Alabama vs. Michigan State in College Football Playoff
By Chris Wright
Published:
No. 2 Alabama will face No. 3 Michigan State in the College Football Playoff semifinal Dec. 31 in Dallas.
Former Georgia defensive end David Pollack, an analyst at ESPN, said it’s an ideal position for the Spartans, who opened as a 9-point underdog.
Pollack noted the Spartans’ 6-1 record against top 10 teams the past three seasons as evidence they relish that underdog role.
“It works perfect for Michigan State,” Pollack said. “It’s how they function best. This is what they’ve done in big games.”
After weeks of Twitter angst in relation to the rankings, the lack of drama about the final four spun the reaction forward, allowing fans and analysts to focus on the matchups and story lines.
Nick Saban coaches against his former school. Blue collar, lunch pail game. Michigan State D vs. Derrick Henry.
— Tony Barnhart (@MrCFB) December 6, 2015
The Big Ten East was better this year than the SEC West. There is no justification for putting #Alabama ahead of #MichiganState.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/nightoatmeal/status/673558388601716736
FWIW: Last time Alabama played MIchigan State, a UA chick beat MSU dude in pushup contest at pep rally in Orlando. I was there to witness
— Tommy Deas (@tommydeas) December 6, 2015
If you think Michigan State is going to have no shot against Alabama, uhhhh, think again. Better QB. Just as good a defense, probably.
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) December 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/rmarmstrong88/status/673555967594901504
You know MSU wanted this game versus Alabama. Cancel the series because you don't want to play in EL. You bet MSU will have the chip…
— Adam Ruff (@AdamRuffPhoto) December 6, 2015
Frankly, MSU deserves to move up to No. 3. But that probably lands them Alabama in Dallas. No sense fretting. Gotta play them at some point
— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) December 6, 2015
Saban on ESPN said he learned from last year's experience in the playoff. He thinks the team can prepare better this time around.
— Tyler Waldrep (@tylerwaldrep) December 6, 2015
Nick Saban on ESPN: "Maybe we'll do a little bit better job this time around at least in preparation."
— John Zenor (@jzenor) December 6, 2015
Saban: We didn't have very much success in the CFP last year. The playoff/bowl mix was new to us. We learned from it.
— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) December 6, 2015
Alabama coach Nick Saban discussed the Spartans in an interview with ESPN.
Saban said he hasn’t seen much of the Spartans this season, but he noticed how their playoff-clinching touchdown drive to beat Iowa.
“I saw that last drive, 22 plays last night,” Saban said. “That was enough for me to see. Won the game, won the Big Ten championship. We know what kind of physical tough teams they have at Michigan State.”
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
