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In less than two weeks, Alabama’s heralded secondary will matchup up against Michigan State and its prolific quarterback, Connor Cook, in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Cook, who has been battling an injury, insists he’s healthy. But even if Cook has no issues with his throwing shoulder, Michigan’s State passing offense, which has averaged 236.1 yards a game, is only 53rd in the nation.
And it is facing the 16th-ranked pass defense in the country, which has allowed only 184.2 yards a contest and just 13 touchdown passes.
How do these units match up?
Let’s take a closer look at the weapons in the Spartans’ passing attack and how Alabama will try to slow them down:
1. Aaron Burbridge: The best receiver in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country, the 6-1, 208-pounder has caught 80 passes for 1,209 yards and 7 TDs. With a team-leading 15.24 yards per catch, Burbridge is not only Cook’s primary passing option, but he’s also Michigan State’s top downfield target. He could give Alabama cornerbacks Cyrus Jones and Marlon Humphrey quite a workout, but it’s worth noting that Jones allowed just 2 receptions over Alabama’s last 3 SEC games, according to CFB Film Room.
2. Macgarrett Kings Jr: The senior has been a remarkably consistent No. 2 wideout for the Spartans, hauling in between 29 and 43 passes and contributing between 404 and 513 yards over the past three years. If Alabama finds a way to shut down Burbridge, Cook will definitely look in Kings’ direction.
3. R.J. Shelton: The junior has had a breakout season, with 41 recepti0ns for 484 yards and 4 TDs — all career highs. With Jones and Humphrey preoccupied with Burbridge and Kings, respectively, Alabama safeties Eddie Jackson and Geno Matias-Smith will have to help in coverage against Shelton, and they will also need help from freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick from his Star defensive back spot.
Apparently, Shelton has already watched a lot of Crimson Tide game film. Schematically, Shelton said Alabama plays a lot of Cover 2, with two safeties splitting the deep part of the field, while mixing in some Cover 4 — the corners and safeties dividing the deep part of the field in quarters — and man to man.
4. Josiah Price: The junior tight end might be the biggest threat in the Spartans’ passing game, especially in the red zone. Even though the 6-4, 252-pounder has just 19 catches on the season, six of them have gone for touchdowns, which trails only Burbridge’s team-leading seven. Alabama will be counting on linebacker and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Reggie Ragland to keep Price in check.
Michigan State has a decent trio of running backs in LJ Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London, but none of them has rushed for more than 691 yards this season. Plus those players will be going up against the top rushing defense in America, which has surrendered just 74 yards a game — so expect Cook & Co. try to exploit Alabama’s secondary.
Alabama already has been mostly successful against similarly challenging QBs such as Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott and Arkansas’ Brandon Allen, but Cook might be a step above them. In fact, the potential NFL first-rounder could be the toughest QB the Crimson Tide will have faced since Johnny Manziel.
Cook obviously doesn’t improvise and make plays with his feet like Johnny Football, but he clearly knows how to win, as his 34-4 career record as Michigan State’s starter indicates.
Alabama has shut down running attacks better than Michigan State’s; what the Tide needs to do is to prevent Cook from getting the ball to Burbridge and Price.
It won’t be an easy task, but Alabama has the personnel, temperament and coaching staff to do it.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
