When the SEC's bowl lineup was announced Sunday afternoon, one thing became abundantly clear—the SEC is walking into an image trap.
The conference has gone two straight years without a win in a major bowl, and based on the 10 postseason matchups this season, the conference has a lot to lose and only one thing to gain.
Its image back.
Alabama is a a 10-point favorite in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic national semifinal over Michigan State, according to OddsShark.com. A semifinal win over a Big Ten team that is as close to a mirror image of the Tide would go a long way toward avenging last season's disappointing semifinal loss to Ohio State.