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Michigan State vs. Baylor: 5 Things You Need To Know For Cotton Bowl

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Michigan State vs. Baylor: 5 Things You Need To Know For Cotton Bowl

AT&T Cotton Bowl
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The Cotton Bowl is looking like the most intriguing matchup of all the major bowl games. Michigan State and Baylor are both well-coached teams with a lot of talent. Here are five things you need to know for this year’s Cotton Bowl.

5. Michigan State Shows Up Big In Bowl Games

Michigan State Football
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5. Michigan State Shows Up Big In Bowl Games

Michigan State Football
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The Spartans have won their last three bowl games, and have done it against stiff competition. They’ve beaten Georgia, TCU and Stanford in those games, so they will not be intimidated. This is the second straight year that Baylor has been in a major bowl, but last year they were defeated by UCF. Michigan State has the big game experience advantage.

4. Baylor's Offense Is Going To Put Up Points

Bryce Petty
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4. Baylor's Offense Is Going To Put Up Points

Bryce Petty
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One thing Baylor knows how to do is score. They led the country this season in both yards per game and points per game on offense. They scored at least 45 points in nine of their 12 games this season, and their season low was still a solid 27 points.

3. The QB Battle Will Be A Great One

Connor Cook
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3. The QB Battle Will Be A Great One

Connor Cook
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Connor Cook and Bryce Petty will both be playing on Sundays in the next couple years, and both have been great this season. Baylor’s offense is the best in the country, and Cook has helped the MSU offense improve greatly this year. The Spartans ranked seventh in the country in points per game and Cook is a big reason for that.

2. Home Field Advantage Will Play A Factor

Baylor Fans
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2. Home Field Advantage Will Play A Factor

Baylor Fans
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Baylor’s campus is only an hour and a half from AT&T Stadium where the Cotton Bowl is played. East Lansing is nearly 17 hours away, so obviously it will be much easier for Baylor fans to attend the game. MSU fans travel well, but after going to the Rose Bowl last year, you likely won’t see nearly as many fans and alumni make the trip to Arlington. It will be close to a home game for Baylor.

1. This Game Will Be The Best Of The "New Year's Six" Bowls

Cotton Bowl Trophy
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1. This Game Will Be The Best Of The "New Year's Six" Bowls

Cotton Bowl Trophy
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Of all the major bowl games, this is the most even matchup and has the potential to be a great game. MSU is a more balanced team, as they have the seventh ranked defense in the country to go along with a much improved offense, but Baylor will still put up some points. MSU’s defense isn’t as strong this season as the last couple years, and they struggled this season against high-powered offenses with mobile QBs. It should be a very close game.

David Cuff is a University of Michigan Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaveCuff, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

David Cuff is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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