Nick Saban previews Cotton Bowl, talks first bowl practice

“I felt like our players did not approach the game like a playoff game”. He had been up all night studying for an afternoon essay final in his major, hospitality business, and there would be no rest between that and Wednesday’s practice.

Safety Demetrious Cox is already picturing himself kissing the Cotton Bowl trophy again like a season ago, “That would be the No. 1 (New Year’s Eve) kiss”, Cox said. Respectful? Yes. Confident? Yep.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) runs offensive drills during football practice, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Will have more from Alabama’s first day of practice later tonight.

Cook and MSU will have to deal with one of the best front seven’s in football when it takes on Alabama in two weeks.

“He can run routes, can block”, Cox said of Ridley, comparing him to Western Michigan star Corey Davis. But Alabama has great players everywhere that can make plays.

But this is clearly the test of the season for that side of the ball. “But any defense can be beat, and Alabama has gotten beat before”. “We’ve played teams that have a great back, or a great receiver, quarterback”.

The famed Alabama strength and conditioning coordinator will stick with the Crimson Tide and not join Kirby Smart’s staff at Georgia. “They’re substituting 10 D-linemen, which is unreal”.

Center Jack Allen said the underdog part is nothing new. “It nearly looks like an National Football League defense with the size and physicality they have”.

“There was no doubt about who I was going to hire”, Saban said. “Maybe not the fastest, not like Randy Gregory or (Joey) Bosa in that sense, but they’re gonna try to overpower you”.

He has since become a mainstay of the program and a popular figure both inside and outside the program.

“Alabama is a very tough and physical football team, and they fire to the ball on defense”, Clark said.

Senior linebacker Darien Harris reiterated on the talent level Alabama features, “The thing that jumps out, they have skill players everywhere that can make plays”, Harris said.

“I don’t think there’s any question”, coach Mark Dantonio said, “with a week layoff and then anticipating what’s coming, our guys are getting ready”. He played against Penn State and in the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa, but later admitted he didn’t have the arm strength or accuracy he normally does.

Kickoff for the Cotton Bowl is set for 8:00PM ET.