Bama and LSU Expect Another Gruff and Gritty Showdown Despite Tigers Being Heavy Underdogs

Alabama has won six straight in their annual heavyweight grudge match with LSU.
They need another win over the Tigers on Saturday night to stay in the hunt for the college football playoffs.
Bama and LSU is as gruff and gritty as Ed Orgeron’s famous voice.
Said Orgeron:”Very important game to our fans. Very important game to our alumni. Great tradition. Very important game to our football team.”
Said Tide head coach Nick Saban:”These games have always been tough games. They’ve always been close games. They’ve always been physical games. I think you’ve got to get your mind set to be ready to play a game like that.”
This year’s game is not expected to be close.
Bama is favored by three touchdowns.
Reporter:”You’re a 21 point underdog. Do you bring that up with the team?”
Said Orgeron:”That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Thanks for telling me. That don’t mean anything to us. That’s why you play the game. I think Syracuse didn’t listen to that when they played Clemson.”
LSU knows the power of the underdog, losing to Troy last month.
Said Saban:”Probably the worst thing that happened for all of us in the SEC is when the loss to Troy. They’ve really made a turn-around as a team, which I think speaks volumes for the coaching staff and the job that Ed Orgeron has done there.”
Bama can turn quarterbacks around with their physical, fast defense.
Said Orgeron:”The whole key to Alabama is protecting the quarterback. If you can protect the quarterback, you’ve got a chance. But we can’t let them get their cleats in the grass and get their pass rush moving. They become very tough.”
The Tide’s reputation has been with their defense, but their offense leads the SEC in scoring this year.
Said Oregeron:”The difference in their football team is their offensive line. Their top player is obviously Jalen Hurts. He runs the ball very welll. It’s almost like a wildcat tailback back there that can throw the ball.”
You can see the Tide and Tigers Saturday at 8pm on News 12 Now.