Connor Cook was extremely complimentary of Alabama's defense when asked over and over during his interview sessions.

The Michigan State quarterback clearly has respect for the Tide's defense and understanding of the challenge that group poses. But Cook sees a small vulnerability in Alabama's defense and will try to capitalize on it Thursday in the Cotton Bowl.

"We watch tape and they are actually really, really good and don't mess up a whole lot," Cook said. "I really don't see a whole lot of vulnerability but occasionally they get beat deep in the pass game. They stop the run as good as any team in the country...and their (defensive backs) are very talented. Like I said before, it's like watching an NFL defense on film.

"They are very talented and very sound at what they are supposed to do, and they are very well-coached, but if there's one thing I have to say is occasionally they'll get beat deep in the pass game."

In Alabama's lone loss of the season, Ole Miss scored two touchdowns longer than 60 yards. There was flukiness involved -- one bounced off a player's helmet and into Quincy Adeboyejo's waiting arms -- but the Rebels did capitalize on a young secondary. It was a storyline to watch the remainder of the season but the teams on paper that many thought could capitalize on it -- Texas A&M and Auburn -- didn't have much success. The Tigers had one long touchdown - a 77-yard touchdown to Jason Smith that was tipped twice - but didn't manage much offensively against Alabama. The Alabama secondary had more big plays than any Aggie quarterback did in College Station.

That Cook picked out the secondary as vulnerability speaks to how good this Alabama defense is. The front-seven is so stout and so adept at stopping the run that the only vulnerability found on tape is the secondary giving up a few deep passes over the course of the season. Success through the passing game is likely Michigan State's best chance for success against Alabama.

"We have a gameplan going in to execute the pass game no matter who we are playing," Cook said.