ARLINGTON, Texas - Keeping your game-week routine intact is challenging during a bowl, but Baylor has stuck pretty close to its usual script.

The Bears (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) practiced for about one hour and 45 minutes Sunday at AT&T Stadium in preparation for the 79th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Thursday.

Getting on the field at 9 a.m. is different than the usual afternoon practices during the regular season. But the practice structure remains the same against Michigan State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) as if it were for a Big 12 opponent.

"Yesterday was a little bit different," Head Coach Art Briles said. "We're not used to practicing quite that early, but today I thought our guys were in the flow a little bit more. I like that we're going early since we actually kick off at 11:45 [a.m.]. That will seem like a late kickoff to us after working out this way all week."

Linebacker Collin Brence said, "We're trying to keep it as normal as possible."

The Bears worked in helmets and shoulder pads with no lower-body pads and no hitting, which is normal for them. Tempo and energy were high.

Baylor is preparing for what safety Terrell Burt said will be "the most physical team we've played." Still, Briles was not tempted to institute full-contact practices this week and kept the routine that has served his program well.

"We kind of think we're physical," Briles said. "I don't know what defines physical. But I think being able to rush the football might determine that. We've led the Big 12 in rushing throughout the last four years. I think physical starts in the mind and works through the body. We're a physical football team."

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl celebrates its 79th edition on New Year's Day and kicks off a new era as a member of the College Football Playoff. Airtime on ESPN is set for 11:30 a.m. CST with kickoff slated for 11:45 a.m. For the first year, the Classic joins ESPN's bowl lineup with Dave Pasch and Brian Griese on the call from the booth with Tom Luginbill reporting from the sideline.

For the third consecutive year, ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner. Brad Sham, the "Voice of the Dallas Cowboys," teams with Kelly Stoufer in the booth and Ian Fitzsimmons from the sideline to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium. This will be Sham's 18th straight year as the Classic's play-by-play man and his 22nd overall.

QUESTIONS FOR ASSISTANT COACH Kendal Briles

Q. (On being the incoming offensive coordinator for the 2015 season)

AC Kendal Briles: Knowing that this opportunity could happen for Coach Mont (Montgomery) because I know what kind of a coach he is, and he's probably at the point he wanted to make the move and he had an opportunity to do that. So I'll familiarize myself with the situation.

Q. Offense versus defense matchup, in a lot of cases how good their defense is, is there more pressure on you being your first time as OC?

AC Kendal Briles: There's no pressure on me. They're a good defense. I mean, I'm not changing my mindset. I was coaching receivers and not calling plays. I mean, me as an offensive unit, we have a lot of trust because that's what we're supposed to do. Offense versus defense, that's week one against SMU. That doesn't change.

But we do feel like they're a very, very good defense. They work off sound and know what they're doing. They stop the run very well, and they've got great corners. So we know it's going to be a challenge for us, but we've got pretty good skilled guys on offense.

Q. Safety Kurtis Drummond, do you know anything about him?

Kendal Briles: He's a great player, gets them lined up. He's got a knack for the ball, and he's a very sure tackle.

Q. Your secondary, are they unique at all in how they attack? Pretty close to the line and all that?

AC Kendal Briles: Yeah, they do some bump and run man press stuff up in the corners. They play them pretty aggressive. Surely, No. 15 [Trae Waynes] is kind of a boundary corner. He does a great job in the press coverage, and we've got some guys we feel like have got a little speed. We can get off that.

Q. That's what I was wondering. Do you see good matchups there you like?

AC Kendal Briles: We think so. I'm sure they're saying the same thing. But we know what we have to establish to give us an opportunity to run the football.

Q. Their corners, you say they get up and press you a lot.

AC Kendal Briles: They man press.

Q. West Virginia did that. You struggled with that. Where have y'all come maybe since then?

AC Kendal Briles: A Lot better football team, lot better football team. West Virginia was a tough situation. We were at the deal the other night when we first got here. They were showing the highlights of the comeback and people rushing the field. And it's a hard deal to try to get ready to go and play at 11:00 Eastern Time. It was a tough, tough situation. And West Virginia was a really good football team at the time. They still are. So you know, I think we're just a better prepared team right now.

Q. Ask about Bryce, you've seen him. Bryce, he came in, he talked about wanted to be the best quarterback. He's been a pretty good one, won two championships. Got hurt over this year. Talk about how you've seen him handle this year. Just what do you think he brings in terms of quarterbacks?

AC Kendal Briles: You know, I've known Bryce for five years now since he came in. So we've always had a really good relationship, and I get to work with him more one on one. You know, it really makes me understand how dedicated and how much of a winner he is. People took a lot of criticism from the West Virginia game. And one thing about Bryce is he's a winner. He's competitive. Very sharp individual.

QUESTIONS FOR QB Bryce Petty

Q. Obviously the injury kind of sidetracked you a little bit. What do you think you do as you leave, wind things up?

QB Bryce Petty: Shoot, who knows. You know, for me, I think championships kind of speak for themselves. So not to say that I had the only hand in that part. But being part of two championship teams that makes you as added ammunition if you will. Nick got us on the map. Nick [Florence] sustained us, and I'm kind of getting us to where we want to be. It's all about climbing the ladder and the next person will be better and consistently the same thing.

We've had a lot of great quarterbacks come through the program and not just the ones since I've been here like Nick and Jeff Green and all those guys. For me, it's just an honor to be part of it.

Q. For you, it's about championships, never been about individual awards and all that. I know going into the season it was talked about Heisman. You always said it would be good for Baylor and, of course, you'd love to be in that situation.

Obviously the injury hurt you early on. When you got hurt, you had to miss a game. As you look back on this year, what are you going to take from this year?

QB Bryce Petty: It's been interesting. The one thing that I can take from this year is the fact that this game definitely humbles you. It brings you to where you had to fight for every opportunity. And you have to really I don't know the word for it but be grateful for everything you do.

And I think that as good as it is to have the expectations, it's good to have goals in mind. But I think that you got to make sure that those goals are the best thing for the team and not for you.

And I think that those first couple games really, until the Oklahoma game when I got hurt, I was being timid. I was trying not to get hurt. I was trying to be too perfect so that I could get things back. That's not how I play. That's not how I do well. So for me it was just about saying forget all that.

What I want is to get to the championship. We got that. I'm happy about that. And the rest you know, I guess playoffs would have been great, but I've got two rings.

Q. So it was all worth the wait you had all those years?

QB Bryce Petty: That's the craziest part about it. If I'd gone to Tennessee, you know, I wouldn't be here. Who knows where I'd be.

Four coaches the last five years, I guess. We've had Coach Briles here and unbelievable people and a program that just won back to back championships. So you know, God's got a plan in it all, and that's the cool part of that. So to kind of see where I was at 18 and where I am now at 23 is a cool deal, man.

Q. Feel like He tested you a little bit?

QB Bryce Petty: Yeah, there was plenty of tests, but that's what it's about. You know, just trusting His plan and realizing it is bigger than yourself. That's the coolest part about being on this team. Everything is bigger than yourself.

QUESTIONS FOR IR Corey Coleman

Q. Are you excited to be playing in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl?

IR Corey Coleman: Yes.

Q. What does it mean to you playing in the Cotton Bowl being a Dallas kid?

IR Corey Coleman: It's like my backyard, so it's really impressive making it to the Cotton Bowl. We're all just happy. We've got to focus.

Q. What has been the best part of the week so far?

IR Corey Coleman: Best part of the week was just being with the team while we're waiting, stuff like that and just joking around playing games and stuff, doing stuff that we do that makes us better as a team.

Q. So I've seen some of your games and you've had some awesome passes from that guy over there, Mr. Bryce Petty. What is it like to get Bryce Petty to throw you some long ones?

IR Corey Coleman: You know, he's a senior. I'm a sophomore, so he's pretty good. His leadership is good. You know, we get on the same page a lot and it's just running hot. And it's just the best to play with that guy over there. He's a good dude and a good quarterback.

Q. So I feel like the wide receiver core is pretty well known. They call you guys Wide Receiver U. What makes you guys so dominant?

IR Corey Coleman: Man, we just love competing against each other. And out of the group you're going to get, like, All American or something and you compete against them. This is going to make you just as good as him. You learn this stuff like that. Like, our coach said, Backup All American, you better be All American next year.

Q. Is your family going to be coming out to the game?

IR Corey Coleman: Yes.

Q. Are they happy that you're in North Texas?

IR Corey Coleman: Yeah, they're happy they don't have to travel this year.

Q. What do you hope to accomplish in your next two years?

IR Corey Coleman: National championship.

Q. So in your two years you've already won back to back Big 12 championships?

IR Corey Coleman: Right.

Q. What else are you going to contribute to this team?

IR Corey Coleman: Oh, dang. That's going to be tough.

Q. What are personal goals for you?

IR Corey Coleman: Be first team All American, get drafted in the first round, and get my degree.

QUESTIONS FOR LT Spencer Drango

Q. (On Michigan State's Defense:)

LT Spencer Drango: They're one of the best, if not the best, defensive line in the Big Ten. So it's definitely going to be a challenge for us.

You know, they're similar in mindset to Kansas State where they're very disciplined, don't make many mistakes, and then they got big bodies up front but they're quick. And so you know, that's it's always stuff to do from an offensive line standpoint. You know, we like the slower guys who can't move very well and everything. But they're a very good team up front, so it will be a good challenge for us.

Q. Scheme wise, what's different in terms of their fronts? What are some of the things that they're trying to do to get penetration disrupted?

LT Spencer Drango: They rely on their players a lot. As far as scheme goes, it's really just it's fairly simple.

Q. Have you seen teams that play the wide nines like they do?

LT Spencer Drango: Usually not in our league, no. We've seen it a few times. Some guys will come out in different sets on third downs usually. Play the wide fives and then the wide nines. But, you know, it's not an everyday thing or like an every play thing they do. So that's a little bit different for us.

We've made adjustments. It should be okay. But it does help them on the pass rush. You know, their ends are very good. 89 [Shilique Calhoun] and 44 [Marcus Rush].

Q. What did that give up when they go wide nine? Shouldn't that open up gaps for your backs a little bit?

LT Spencer Drango: It gives us more space out there in the box. But their linebackers are certainly they're kind of D linemen. They fill very quickly. And, you know, they're big bodies in there.

So essentially gives them you know six guys, seven guys in there as linemen. But the linebackers can also cover.

Q. And then I guess just to ask you about just this matchup. I think I read you guys have won 21 games in a row in the State of Texas and beaten all these Big 12 teams and yet when you go in the stores here all you see is Texas Longhorns.

And in Michigan State, you know, they're sitting here with the top ten ranking and all anybody back in that state is talking about is Jim Harbaugh coaching Michigan. What about battling for respect when you go to a school like Baylor or Michigan State?

LT Spencer Drango: We want to change it obviously. Of course, in Baylor or in Waco, it's always Baylor stuff everywhere. But it's funny. If you go into Academy it used to be when I first got to Baylor, when you go into Academy, it was more A&M and UT stuff than there was Baylor. So it's been fun to see that change.

You know, now when you walk in, there's a lot more Baylor things. Our fan base is growing which is awesome. But you know it's always been Texas as at the top here or A&M. Those are the big schools. Texas Tech in there. Those were the big schools the big state schools and we're just trying to get in there.

Q. Do you see that with Michigan State as well?

LT Spencer Drango: I do. You know, I obviously haven't been up there very much.

Q. But just from afar, you watch ESPN?

LT Spencer Drango: Yeah, it seems they do like to the media does like to pick no offense, they pick favorites a little bit, I think. And it's always been those schools that have always had the winning tradition like UT, like Tech, like A&M, like Michigan. So it's just been hopefully it will change.

Q. How much do you think back to back Big 12 titles makes people start realizing this isn't just the same 'ol Baylor?

LT Spencer Drango: I think it definitely helps on the recruiting standpoint. And it definitely helps in the eyes of our fans, you know. Obviously, you don't want to root for a losing team. With back to back Big 12 championships everyone thought, you know, it's Baylor. And now, "Oh, it's Baylor." We have to come play and that's the fun thing.

We get everyone's best shot, and we love it because we know that we actually have to play well to win. And so, if we don't, we'll get beat. We showed that this year and hopefully we can prevent that from happening again.

Q. I know you're probably tired about talking about this guy so we won't talk about him. But Bryce you knew exactly where I was going. When this game is done and Bryce's career is done, where do you think people will view him as far as Baylor quarterbacks?

LT Spencer Drango: As one of the top. You know, we've had great quarterbacks comes through here. Griff, Nick, and Petty. You know, those are the three everyone thinks of under Briles there because those are them.

But I think you know, he'll go out well respected and you know he'll hold some records and hopefully can get a few more in this game. I don't know what records he could get but hopefully he gets some.

You know, I hope he goes out well. That's what we want to do as a team is send our seniors out well.

Q. What do you think what did he show you guys this year? Obviously, there were a lot of high expectations for the team and him going. I know he's more worried about the team.

But obviously people are talking about Heisman candidate. He got hurt early, kind of got sidetracked but the way he responded and rebounded from that. I guess it probably didn't surprise you guys how he did that. But what did he show you guys how he handled it?

LT Spencer Drango: You know he's always been about the team first. Never been a "me me me" thing. Always been a "we we we" thing. That's what he did. He put everything else behind him. The Heisman talk was great. We would have liked to see him win.

But, you know, it didn't it didn't happen for him. And you know, I don't think it it never showed for us because he's always been about what can he do for the team, everything like that. So he's a great player. Great, good friend. Fun to play for.

Q. Considering the way the playoff situation went, I know you guys wanted to win every game but does that add significance to wanting and needing to win this game?

LT Spencer Drango: We were disappointed. We didn't get in the playoffs, yes. But we're at the Cotton Bowl, one of the best bowls around. So we're excited to be here. And we love to play with a chip on our shoulder. We've done that since Coach Briles got here, and so that's how we're going to play, as usual. And so we'd like to win, obviously. No one wants to lose.

We want to say, Hey, we're Baylor. This is what we do. We're not taking the game lightly, but we want to get out there and not prove something but just show that we're not a fluke and that we're here to stay.

QUESTIONS FOR WR Antwan Goodley

Q. What would you count as the best moment for you inside this program in the last five years?

WR Antwan Goodley: Definitely winning that Big 12 championship. Back to back Big 12 championships, a great accomplishment. You know, that first time was definitely a great feeling. Probably the biggest game I ever played in.

Q. How does y'all's offense change, if at all, from last year? Can you just talk about how to balance how much that helps you guys?

WR Antwan Goodley: I can say I'm trying to go out there and be the best offense in the country. I feel like we did that. Lost a lot of guys, but I feel like we had a lot of guys step up that could fill those guys' shoes. Those guys run the ball, and those linebackers make it easy for us.

Q. When you look at Michigan State, is there any team that you can compare to the way they run their stuff?

WR Antwan Goodley: No, I feel like I'm not going to compare to anybody. They're good at what they do, a technique football team. We're ready for a challenge.

Q. This is your second game you played at AT&T Stadium. What memory can you take from the first game you played?

WR Antwan Goodley: Definitely beating up on the team. I got to play against my family members that game. Definitely coming out with a victory in that game.

Q. And what will be the difference between playing earlier in the season and now playing in the Cotton Bowl game?

WR Antwan Goodley: This is definitely a big stage for us. We're happy to be here, and we're just we want to finish strong, man.

Q. In the last game that you played here, did you ever catch yourself up on the big screen?

WR Antwan Goodley: Every time. That's definitely the moment you walk in here, but yeah. It was great being in that stadium.

Q. What would who would you say has the best end zone dance in college football?

WR Antwan Goodley: Me.

Q. What is that called?

WR Antwan Goodley: The money dance.

Q. What impresses you most about Michigan State?

WR Antwan Goodley: Huge. Those guys are definitely going to make you work, going to open up stuff. But we're ready for them.

Q. How do you think you personally match up with their secondary?

WR Antwan Goodley: I'm not really worried about those guys. Just got to focus on me and just focus on what we do and I think we'll be fine.

Q. You're a Texas guy. What does it mean to you to be playing in North Texas?

WR Antwan Goodley: Got a lot of support, lot of fans, going to be a lot of people from home able to come out and watch us play. It's going to be fun, exciting.

Q. Growing up, you knew the Cotton Bowl name. What does that mean to finally make Baylor hasn't been here since 1981. So to bring your team here to play in AT&T Stadium?

WR Antwan Goodley: Did they win it?

Q. No, never won at the Cotton Bowl. This is your chance, you have a lot to prove here.

WR Antwan Goodley: This is a statement game for us, and I feel like we can get it done.

Q. The press coverage and stuff is something you were struggling with at West Virginia. Are you better at handling that part of it now?

WR Antwan Goodley: Just being able to change that stuff. A lot of guys, a lot of teams getting back in there because they know stuff we'd like to do. Of course, they want to disrupt. And I feel like we didn't do a good job of making checks or being ready for that, but I feel like we're definitely ready.

Q. How has it changed things as far as Kendal play calling? Corey said he's still a receivers' coach at heart. How has that changed things?

WR Antwan Goodley: Hasn't changed things a lot. Same thing we used to doing, going to practice every day, learning how to deal with different situations.

Q. How about the way Corey [Coleman] has stepped up particularly with some guys were hurt and still trying to come back?

WR Antwan Goodley: He's definitely got a great future ahead of him. That guy is a great player. I feel like he's going to do big things for this team down the road.

Q. Did you see that from him when he first came in?

WR Antwan Goodley: Yeah, when he first came, you could just see it on guys' faces. He works hard every day. He loves the game. He has a lot of passion for the game and he shows it a lot. So he loves what he does.

QUESTIONS FOR RB Shock Linwood

Q. Has anybody tried to defend you with that many guys in the box? That's leaving a lot of receivers in man coverage, right?

RB Shock Linwood: That's what the coach wants to do and defense wants to do. That's their decision, not ours.

Q. Has anybody else tried to pack the box that you played this year?

RB Shock Linwood: Everything we play is in the box.

Q. How much does it help being a balanced team like you guys are, with the run or pass?

RB Shock Linwood: You need both of them to win a game obviously because once they we both work to help each other.

Q. You guys aren't the typical spread, are you?

RB Shock Linwood: Yes, sir, we are a spread team. That's what we do. We spread teams out and beat them with speed.

Q. You guys have power with the way you play and stuff like that. It seems like the perfect offense.

RB Shock Linwood: I mean, yeah, we can play power offense or we can play speed offense. We just have the type of players on our team, so I'll just say we get they're either/or. So either one is fine with me as long as we win.

Q. What are you excited about trying to prove against these Big Ten run defenses? They get quite a bit of talk. Are you excited to go out there and face that?

Shock Linwood: Not just the Big Ten defense, I would say nationally we want to prove to everybody we're a top ranked team so that's what we're planning on doing on Thursday.

Q. Personally running against them, is there anything, any motivation? Stop defense, are you looking forward to attacking that?

RB Shock Linwood: Yeah, I mean, even though they're a top ranked running defense, we just plan on going out there and showing that we're a top ranked offense. So, yeah, it just motivates us.

Q. How important is it to establish the run against even against a team that defends it that way, how important is it to establish the run?

RB Shock Linwood: It's important to establish the run in the pass game. But for us to establish the run game is going to help us with the pass. So, I mean, we got to establish that up front and beat them up, beat them on offense.

Q. How much does the Fiesta Bowl loss motivate you guys?

RB Shock Linwood: It motivates us all the time because we don't want to have that feeling like we did last year with our last game with the L.

Q. I think you came in with Corey (Coleman). Where have you seen him get better, that kind of stuff? Did y'all come in, in the same class?

RB Shock Linwood: Yes, sir, I would just say our maturity and the level of desire we play on the football field. We've grown up since our freshman year, and we've respected the game better. I would say being able to focus and maintain our composure on playing the game.

Q. Antwan called him a freak. Do you see that in Corey? Just I guess the way he's gotten bigger and he's physical?

RB Shock Linwood: On the football field, he's an abnormal guy. Nobody expects a player to do the things he does. So, I mean, with him, he's just running past all the players and being physical and strong for his size. And, I mean, I would just say I guess he's a freak. I don't know. He's just a good athlete on the football field.

Q. How would this game set you up for next year in terms of how you finish and stuff?

RB Shock Linwood: It will set us up tremendously, especially with us getting a win, first and foremost. It would set us up especially this being our biggest bowl after the playoffs.

Q. You're fourth in the AP. Your fifth in the College Football Playoffs. Do you feel like you still don't get the respect that you deserve?

RB Shock Linwood: Every day we just have to go out there and work to get that respect.