During his weekly “Lunch with Les” luncheon presented by Subway, LSU coach Les Miles addressed the media six days before No. 4 LSU faces No. 7 University of Alabama on Saturday night in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Alabama
In the week before the game circled on most calendars, Miles reflected on the importance of the LSU and Alabama rivalry.
“I can always tell you that this is a special week for us,” Miles said. “We look forward to playing Alabama. They’re a very talented team, very capable team, and we look forward to playing in big games, and so many times it’s difficult to muster the emotion and the passion when you lineup against a team that does not necessarily have the same name recognition as a very quality opponent in Alabama.”
Miles began the news conference with a brief recap of his team’s offensive performance, then breaking from his norm, he finished.
Miles seemed short-winded on Monday, compared to the normal delivery he has in his weekly news conference. There was no answer as to why Miles was brief, but the week of preparation to the Alabama game takes a toll on his outward appearance.
After all, this is the biggest game of the year, and the Tigers (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) feel their effort against Alabama in previous years is preparing them for the Nov. 7 matchup.
“The good news is we’ve played in these games before, and we certainly understand them,” Miles said. “I mean you’re playing for all the things that you wanted to play for at the beginning of the year. You’re playing for the lead in the west, and you put yourself with your achievement, this team in position to do so. So they should look forward to it. They should relish it. It’s why you came to LSU, to be a part of this game.”
Miles said he is asked daily and weekly about the LSU and Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) matchup. He understands the upcoming game will be seen by a national audience and expects National Football League scouts to be in attendance as well.
LSU and Alabama are the top 2 producers in NFL talent across the nation. This game’s importance expands Louisiana’s and Alabama’s borders, Miles said.
“Yeah, I would think if you were an NFL scout and you had any wisdom to you at all, that you would line up and get the LSU and Alabama game … [and see] how they fared,” Miles said. “I can tell you that as an LSU fan, there is great interest in this game.”
Injuries
Miles said sophomore fullback John David Moore, junior defensive tackle Christian LaCouture and junior cornerback Tre’Davious White are expected to be healed and play against Alabama.
Moore is recovering from an “lower-leg injury” he experienced against the University of South Carolina on Oct. 10. White and LaCouture were injured before the Tigers matchup against Western Kentucky University on Oct. 24 and did not play.
“I would expect that all of the guys that we mentioned will play in the game,” Miles said. “There’s going to be a guy or two that we might not practice today. But we would expect to have a full slate when we come to Saturday.”
Sid Ortis
Beyond all the hype and national attention surrounding Saturday’s matchup, Miles found time to pay homage to Alabama teen Sid Ortis, and the life he lived in his news conference.
Ortis, 16, died after a year-long battle against bone cancer and was a noted Tiger fan who developed a special relationship with Miles.
The two would call each other, talking football and praying together. They were friends, to say the least.
“I was fortunate to meet Sid Ortis,” Miles said. “I was able to make his acquaintance, and he had so much spirit and excitement and loves his Tigers.”
“He’s in a better place now.”