1. Alabama's playing Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl semifinal.

2. One of the Spartans' most noteworthy wins this season came when they beat Ohio State, which has a very good running back named Ezekiel Elliott.

3. After that game, Elliott complained about his lack of carries, even though his carries weren't really any more effective than whatever else the Buckeyes were doing that day. It was a big to-do.

4. In Derrick Henry, Alabama has an even better running back to put up against Michigan State, at least according to awards voters.

5. Henry's boss, offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, is usually not allowed to talk to the media. This is because Kiffin's boss is Nick Saban, who doesn't allow anything.

6. This is bowl season now, which means there are bowl pressers that are beyond even Saban's control. Therefore, here's a good and fun quote:

Kiffin mentions Michigan St faced Ezekiel Elliott. "Hopefully we give the ball to Derrick more than they did. ... Kidding. That's a joke." — Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 27, 2015

7. He also might've made fun of his own decision to give Henry a mere 13 carries against those Buckeyes in last year's Playoff loss.

Lane Kiffin cracking jokes: "Somehow Derrick Henry wasn't a starter last year." — Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 27, 2015

8. Kiffin shows some likable personality when let off the chain, despite what his grim tenures at Tennessee and USC might suggest. Here he was roasting Saban at an awards ceremony last year.

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