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NCAA Football • 1 year ago

5 Bold Predictions For Michigan State vs. Baylor In Cotton Bowl

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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

5 Bold Predictions For Michigan State vs. Baylor In Cotton Bowl

bay_petty2_rant — Outside of the two National Semifinals, the Cotton Bowl matchup between No. 8 Michigan State and No. 5 Baylor might be the best game of the bowl season. While both teams excel at putting points on the board, it will probably come down to whichever defense makes a play at the end. Here are five bold predictions for Michigan State vs. Baylor.

Outside of the two National Semifinals, the Cotton Bowl matchup between No. 8 Michigan State and No. 5 Baylor might be the best game of the bowl season. While both teams excel at putting points on the board, it will probably come down to whichever defense makes a play at the end. Here are five bold predictions for Michigan State vs. Baylor.

5. There Will Be a Special Teams/Defensive TD

Shawn Oakman Baylor

5. There Will Be a Special Teams/Defensive TD

Shawn Oakman Baylor — In a game that figures to feature a lot of scoring, it wouldn't surprise me at all if there is a defensive or special teams touchdown at some point. Michigan State features one of the top cornerbacks in the country in Trae Waynes, while Baylor boasts one of the top defensive linemen in Shawn Oakman. Look for one of these two stars to find the end zone on New Year's Day.

In a game that figures to feature a lot of scoring, it wouldn't surprise me at all if there is a defensive or special teams touchdown at some point. Michigan State features one of the top cornerbacks in the country in Trae Waynes, while Baylor boasts one of the top defensive linemen in Shawn Oakman. Look for one of these two stars to find the end zone on New Year's Day.

4. Connor Cook Will Throw For More Yards Than Bryce Petty

Connor Cook Michigan State

4. Connor Cook Will Throw For More Yards Than Bryce Petty

Connor Cook Michigan State — It might seem like a bad idea to pick against Bryce Petty in terms of passing yards, but Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has enjoyed his highest passing totals against the two best teams they played this season. Cook threw for 343 yards against Oregon and 358 yards against Ohio State earlier this season. Coincidentally, both of those games were Michigan State's two losses this season.

It might seem like a bad idea to pick against Bryce Petty in terms of passing yards, but Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has enjoyed his highest passing totals against the two best teams they played this season. Cook threw for 343 yards against Oregon and 358 yards against Ohio State earlier this season. Coincidentally, both of those games were Michigan State's two losses this season.

3. The Teams Will Combine For At Least 80 Points

Bryce Petty Baylor

3. The Teams Will Combine For At Least 80 Points

Bryce Petty Baylor — This matchup features the No. 1 scoring offense in the country (Baylor) and the No. 7 scoring offense (Michigan State). While Michigan State ranks 12th in the country in scoring defense, they gave up 46 points to Oregon and 49 points to Ohio State this season. The first team to score 50 points might be the winner of this shootout.

This matchup features the No. 1 scoring offense in the country (Baylor) and the No. 7 scoring offense (Michigan State). While Michigan State ranks 12th in the country in scoring defense, they gave up 46 points to Oregon and 49 points to Ohio State this season. The first team to score 50 points might be the winner of this shootout.

2. KD Cannon Will Be the Cotton Bowl MVP

KD Cannon Baylor

2. KD Cannon Will Be the Cotton Bowl MVP

KD Cannon Baylor — Baylor freshman wide receiver KD Cannon recorded three 100-yard games in his first six career starts this season before cooling off down the stretch. That means the speedster from Texas is due for a breakout game against Michigan State. With top cornerback Trae Waynes likely to be covering Corey Coleman, Cannon should be in line for a monster game.

Baylor freshman wide receiver KD Cannon recorded three 100-yard games in his first six career starts this season before cooling off down the stretch. That means the speedster from Texas is due for a breakout game against Michigan State. With top cornerback Trae Waynes likely to be covering Corey Coleman, Cannon should be in line for a monster game.

1. Overtime Will Be Required

Tony Lippett Michigan State

1. Overtime Will Be Required

Tony Lippett Michigan State — With two evenly matched, high-octane offenses, this game figures to be a classic. Therefore, I think the game will be decided in overtime, and the last team to have the ball will come out victorious. An overtime classic at the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day? It doesn't get much better than that for college football fans.

With two evenly matched, high-octane offenses, this game figures to be a classic. Therefore, I think the game will be decided in overtime, and the last team to have the ball will come out victorious. An overtime classic at the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day? It doesn't get much better than that for college football fans.

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