Cotton Bowl showdown between Alabama, Michigan State nears

DALLAS, TX (WSFA) - In the middle of Kyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas, the Battle of the Bands struck up a positive chord for Alabama and Michigan State fans. The turnout numbered in the thousands.

This is where we found Mike Bearden who has been to every bowl game Alabama has played in since 2004. Bearden and his family are from Pell City, Alabama.

"We're here and we hope to win it and head on to Glendale, Arizona," Bearden said.

30  miles away, Bama fans in RVs wasted little time claiming their spots in Lot 14 near AT&T Stadium.

"I think we've seen we need to be prepared and not be so relaxed. I think they're ready," said Sharon Gibson of Mobile, Alabama.

Inside the stadium, there's a mad rush to put the finishing touches on the field. Field crews spent a part of Wednesday afternoon spray-painting the 'Alabama' logo in the northern end zone.

"We're ready to go and both teams were here for their walk-throughs today, so I think everybody is chomping at the bit to get started," said Dan Novakov, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Chairman.

It won't be long now! A crowd of around 83,000 is expected for the game.

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