Cotton Bowl: Can Michigan State's tough D contain the Baylor offense?

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Michigan State (10-2) vs. Baylor (11-1)

Arlington, Texas

Jan. 1, 2015

This year’s Cotton Bowl between Baylor and Michigan State is a classic matchup featuring a high-powered offense versus a stout defense matchup.

The fifth-ranked Bears boast the top offense in the country in both points and yards per game. Led by quarterback Bryce Petty, Baylor averaged a whopping 48.8 points and 581.3 yards per game en route to an 11-1 record and a share of the Big 12 crown.

The Bears, like their Big 12 brethren TCU, just missed out on the College Football Playoff, leading to some outspoken criticism from head coach Art Briles. They’ll look up to back up their head coach’s talk with Petty in the passing game. The senior threw for 3,305 yards and 26 touchdowns to a deep and talented group of receivers. Corey Coleman led the Bears with 57 catches for 969 yards and 10. Antwan Goodley added 50 catches for 833 yards and six touchdowns while Antwan Goodley caught 51 passes for 737 yards and six scores as well.

The Bears have a solid run game too with Shock Linwood (1,226 yards, 16 TDs), but they could struggle against a Spartans defense that is third nationally in rush defense (97.5 yards per game) and fifth in total defense (293.5 ypg). Michigan State will play its final game with Pat Narduzzi as defensive coordinator after Narduzzi accepted the head-coaching gig at Pittsburgh.

While Michigan State is known for its defense, the Spartan offense was seventh in the country in scoring at 43.1 points per game and 13th in total offense with 496.5 yards per game. The Spartans’ only two losses came at the hands of Oregon and Ohio State – two College Football Playoff participants.

Junior quarterback Connor Cook threw for 2,900 yards and 22 touchdowns while only giving away six interceptions. The Spartans were extremely balanced all year with senior Jeremy Langford rushing for 1,360 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year. Cook’s favorite target was Big Ten receiver of the year Tony Lippett, who caught 60 passes for 1,124 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Baylor’s defense will be key in this one. You know the Bears will be able to score, but will the Bears be able to stop the Spartans from keeping pace?

ODDS

Baylor (-2.5)

FUN FACT

Interestingly, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said that Tony Lippett, the Spartans’ leading wideout, will also start at defensive back for the third straight game to help against Baylor’s pass offense. He’s played a lot of cornerback in the past, so it’s not new territory for him, but he could be in for a ton of snaps against the Bears’ quick-strike offense.

PREDICTIONS

Graham: Michigan State isn't as good as Baylor, but I wonder about Baylor's motivation in this contest after being left out of the College Football Playoff. Still, the Bears should come into this game with a chip on their shoulder and that should be enough to motivate them to victory. Baylor 28, Michigan State 17.

Nick: Is the Big 12's bowl disaster going to continue? I'm not sure this is a good matchup for Baylor. Cook will match Petty and Michigan State will get a key stop late in the game. Michigan State 31, Baylor 29.

Sam: While Baylor’s offense against Michigan State’s defense is the matchup everyone’s been talking about, I think Baylor’s defense is the key. I’m not sure the Bears will be able to keep the Spartans out of the end zone at crucial parts of the game. Michigan State 37, Baylor 33.

For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.

For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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