Much has been made of the sheer volume of Heisman trophy-winner Derrick Henry’s carries in his last two performances. Against Auburn and Florida, Henry ran the ball a combined 90 times for 460 total yards. Those totals dwarf his average of 26 carries per game, an uptick that coincides with fellow running back Kenyan Drake’s arm fracture against Mississippi State.

After catching two passes against the Bulldogs, Drake has been rehabbing, returning in a limited role in the SEC Championship. The senior carried the ball just four times in that game, adding three catches for 30 total yards against the Gators, but Alabama coach Nick Saban said his change-of-pace back is ready to contribute in the Cotton Bowl.

“He’s been fine,” Saban said. “He hasn’t had any issues or problems at all. He’s been able to practice every rep, do everything we needed him to do. I think he’s much more confident now. I think the fact that he got to play in that game probably helped his confidence. But he seems to have no issues at all relative to what he’s capable of doing. And I think it’s important. Because he’s certainly a guy that can be a weapon for us on offense. And we certainly need a little more diversity in terms of what we do on offense. And he’s a guy that can give us some of those things.”