’Bama’s closing ability will be put to the test
Alabama has trailed in the fourth quarter twice this season: In the Crimson Tide’s lone loss, to Mississippi on Sept. 19, and in a 19-14 win against Tennessee on Oct. 24.
This feat has been achieved through strength and numbers, and by strength in numbers. Few teams can match Alabama’s depth across the board, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
“It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and we want to feast,” Alabama junior defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson said.
As seen in its road to Thursday’s Cotton Bowl, Alabama wins games in the first three quarters — if not often by halftime — and then plays keep-away in the fourth, fending off late challenges with a consistent wave of top-end talent.
“Of course every player gets tired,” Alabama senior defensive tackle Jarran Reed said, “but the fact you can have another guy come in and do the same thing, for us it’s good, for other of- fenses it’s a problem.”
In Michigan State, however, the Crimson Tide’s general blueprint for success will face its stiffest test. Alabama (12-1) simply wears down the opposition; throughout the regular season, the Spartans (12-1) have proved nearly impossible to put away.
“You look back the last four bowl games, every one we’ve been down double digits, I believe, and have come back,” Michigan State co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner said. “And we’ve done it during the season, it’s not just in bowl games. I think it stretches back even further than this year. I think that’s what Coach (Mark) Dantonio has built this program on is being mentally tough and hanging in there.”
There was the late defensive stand to defeat Oregon in September. The miraculous fumble return to sneak past Michigan in October. Down the stretch, Michigan State outlasted Ohio State on the road and scored a late touchdown against Iowa to win the Big Ten Conference championship game.
These season-defining moments help shape the largest question entering the national semifinal: In a matchup of strength and toughness — physical and mental — which team has what it takes to win the fourth quarter?
“When you go against a talented team like Alabama, not that we expect it, but there’s a chance we’ll be down in the football game,” Warner said.
“There’s going to be ups and downs in every game, and we’ve got to fight through those downs and hang in there and find a way to bounce back up.”