And with Alabama boasting the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense, allowing just 74 yards per game on the ground, Cook will need his tight ends and wide receivers more than ever in the Cotton Bowl national semifinal on New Year’s Eve.

“They have a very talented defensive line obviously, and linebackers, and watching film, their defensive line gets to the quarterback,” Cook said. “I’m going to have to get rid of the ball quick.

“Receivers are going to have to get open, it is going to be tight coverage just like Iowa, just like Michigan.”

The Wolverines entered their week-seven game against MSU as the nation’s No. 2 overall passing defense (115.5 yards per game). Cook went on to pass for 328 yards against U-M, while the Spartans rushed for just 58 yards in their miraculous 27-23 victory.

Against Iowa, the Spartans passed for 191 yards and rushed for 174 yards and head coach Mark Dantonio said he wants to see more of the same against the Crimson Tide.

“You've got to be able to throw the football in this day and age, there's no question about that,” Dantonio said. “But we've got a good offensive line. We've got good backs. We've run it against some good defenses in this conference and in the country, and it's been sort of a staple for us.

“Regardless of (Alabama’s defensive front), we have to be who we are, too. We can't become something we're not.”

So expect MSU to be who they are and test Alabama’s proven defensive line – again and again and again. But in a complimentary role to the run game, also expect MSU to be who they are at the tight end position.

When Price was hampered midseason with a foot injury, fifth-year senior Paul Lang and redshirt junior Jamal Lyles proved to be capable of making plays. So capable, in fact, that MSU now uses a three-headed monster at the position.

“I think the tight end position is key for our style,” Lang said. “That has been important for us both last year and this year and it has gotten even stronger this year.”

Cook and Lang were previously roommates and that has surely helped their chemistry, but Cook’s father also contributed.

“When Paul and I were roommates my dad would always talk to him about, ‘hey on this block you want to do this or maybe try and do that; on this route maybe use your head more,’ just little tips and pointers like that,” Cook said. “Anything that my dad could have done to help out he was there.”

Lang said Cook’s strong relationship with his father has definitely played a part in his development.

“A lot of the time (Cook’s father) is mentioning how he thinks tight ends are so important for an offense,” Lang said.

And against Alabama, Cook’s relationship with the tight end position could be the underlying success of MSU’s passing attack.

“It is going to be a fight going in our routes, they are going to try and re-route us,” Lang said. “It is going to be a real big challenge and we just got to stick to the course and stick to our technique and trust it.”