2011 Capital One Bowl: Ten Predictions for the Crimson Tide and Spartans

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 2011 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 Capital One Bowl:

2011 Capital One Bowl: Ten BOLD and Unorthodox Predictions

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

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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

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

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

And finally…

10. 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

*All Stats via cfbstats.com

* Also posted to my Bleacher Report page