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Watch: @Coach_EdOrgeron speaks at his weekly press conference, this week previewing Saturday's matchup against No. 1 Alabama. @Subway https://t.co/DNZtv6rtwW
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) October 29, 2018
Returning to action after an open week, the LSU Tigers will begin preparation this week for their most formidable opponent of the season.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is unlike any other quarterback LSU has every faced. Orgeron acknowledged this, saying the closest comparison he could draw was to Michael Vick.
Regardless of who you want to compare him to, one thing that can’t be argued is the fact he’s one of the most talented players in college football.
“I just introduced myself and told him, Hey, you’re one of the best players in the country, see you later,” Orgeron said of his meeting with the signal-caller last weekend. “That was it. It’s not a contact period, so you can only have a bump, so I didn’t speak to him long. He was very respectful, obviously.”
Orgeron knows that going up against Alabama is going to be far from simple, but thinks the Tigers have what it takes to be competitive in the matchup.
“A lot of double moves, creative routes, seven routes, chair sevens we call them, smash routes. They know how to attack coverages. They’re very well-coached,” he said. “But, you know, we have some good DBs. We know we lead the country in interceptions. I think we match up well with them. It’s going to be a battle, but I think we match up very well.”
Keeping Alabama at bay without Devin White in the first half will be a task in itself. Orgeron and co. have already been working on finding a replacement for him, though.
“Probably out of Patrick (Queen) and Micah (Baskerville),” Orgeron said. “We’re not decided on that yet. But Devin is a good young player.”
While the Tigers try to play down such a big game mentally, they know what the rivalry means. It’s the toughest game on the schedule - for any team.
“It’s a big man’s game. This game is always won in the trenches. We have to do a great job in our techniques. This is going to be a technical game, stay in your gap, own your double-team, put pressure on the quarterback. Also keeping him in the pocket, not letting him run outside or inside,” he said. “This is going to be a tremendous challenge for our defensive line. They have an excellent offensive line.”
Kickoff between the Tigers and the Crimson Tide is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT on Saturday in Tiger Stadium.