[2] The Cotton Bowl acted as one of the two College Football Playoff semifinal games.

[6] After Oklahoma lost to Clemson 17–37 in the Orange Bowl Semifinal, Michigan State was throttled by Alabama 38–0.

Near the end of the second quarter, Michigan State had its best drive of the night, but all-time winningest MSU quarterback, Connor Cook, was intercepted by Cyrus Jones.

Alabama could not capitalize on the turnover, but did return MSU's next punt for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach at 24–0 with a little over three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Alabama went on to defeat Clemson 45–40 for the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.