Capital State

Capital State

Capital State

No. 15-ranked Alabama and No. 7 Michigan State will meet Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, in the Capital One Bowl — something of a consolation prize for the two high-profile college football programs.

The Crimson Tide (9-3) fell way short of its goal — defending its Bowl Championship Series national crown. Alabama didn't even place among the top three in the Southeastern Conference West Division, going 5-3 in conference play.

Michigan State (11-1) dreamed of gaining its own berth in the BCS national title game after starting the season 9-0. But a 37-6 drubbing by Iowa nixed that idea. The Spartans still shared the Big Ten Conference title, tying Ohio State and Wisconsin. But tie-breakers gave Wisconsin the conference's top prize — a trip to the Rose Bowl.