In their last media briefing before Saturday’s Capital One Bowl, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio and Alabama head coach Nick Saban talked about limiting huge plays and making tackles.

“When you play a bowl game, one of the biggest things you look at is the ability to tackle,” Dantonio said. “We have to be able to tackle in space and the team that tackles in space the best will probably win the football game, so that’s number one, because you have to eliminate explosive plays.”

Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

The Crimson Tide is coming off a Nov. 26 loss against Auburn in which Jones had 199 receiving yards and Ingram caught four passes for 91 yards, and are capable of ripping off a big play at any moment.

The Spartans lost leading pass catcher B.J. Cunningham after he underwent surgery for a broken foot, but the Spartans’ depth in senior Mark Dell, junior Keshawn Martin and junior Keith Nichol should help make up for the loss.

Martin is also a threat on punt returns and has taken back one for a touchdown this season against Wisconsin.

“Scoring points is always really important, but turnovers and big plays and explosive plays probably have as much to do with outcomes of games as anything and I’m sure it’ll have a lot to do with the outcome of this game,” Saban said.

Alabama has explosiveness in the punt return game as well, as the Crimson Tide have recorded eight returns of 20-plus yards.

Beside tackling, the Spartans will benefit if they can force turnovers against Alabama, as quarterback Greg McElroy has thrown five interceptions this year but is facing a Spartans’ defense that has intercepted 17 passes.

With the long layoff, the Spartans will also need to find game-speed quickly since last playing on Nov. 27, especially against a skilled and tough Alabama opponent.

“When you play in a bowl game it’s almost like the first game of the season — you’ve had so much time to prepare you know your opponent pretty well but you know they’ve put in new things for you so you have to adjust,” Dantonio said. “The players have to come out and play as a team.”

Dantonio said special teams and red zone play will also hold a crucial role.

Alabama, on the flip side, will be leaning on its line play to help gain an advantage against the Spartans.

The Crimson Tide’s run defense ranks 22nd nationally, but the offensive line has allowed 32 sacks, and will go against an MSU defense that has been tough against the run against in big games like the Oct. 2 game against Wisconsin and Nov. 27 game against Penn State.

“I think winning football games always comes down to the same thing,” Saban said. “You have to be very physical and play with toughness, and win on the line of scrimmage. That’s going to be critical. Both sides of the ball. They’re a very good running team.”