Like their Big 12 co-champs, the Baylor Bears (5) are going into their bowl game feeling like they should be playing for the inaugural College Football Playoff (CFP).

Their opponents in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the Michigan State Spartans (8), were also CFP-bound, but saw their hopes disappear with a loss to Ohio State. Regardless, the Bears and Spartans are two of the best teams in the nation and should deliver a memorable Cotton Bowl.

CLICK HERE to listen to the game live via TuneIn and HERE for WatchESPN's live feed from their Skycam. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET in Arlington, Texas.

Both teams' pro-style offenses are being led by experienced quarterbacks who even worked out together over the summer. But While Bryce Petty will be leaving Baylor as a senior, Connor Cook has confirmed he will be back at Michigan State for his final season of college football.

"He's my dude. I love him a lot," Petty said of Cook in a pregame press conference, according to ESPN. "As soon as we found out, we had a couple of texts back and forth. He's a great quarterback. They run a great system up there. It'll be fun to see him across the sidelines and it will be great to compete. May the best man win."

Cook apparently responded to Petty's tweets by asking if the Baylor passer was "ready" for the matchup. Cook told media members before the game that Petty is a "good dude" who is, "humble," "funny" and "loves to crack jokes."

Baylor had the top-scoring offense in the nation this year, scoring an average of 49 points per game, Michigan State put up an average of 43 per game. However, the Spartan defense was a bit stingier.

With all the talent on both teams' offenses and defenses, the game may just come down to Cook against Petty and who can best minimize their mistakes and keep the other off the field.