Ed Orgeron, a former recruiting coordinator, said he understands why high school stars choose LSU.
It is because of days like Saturday, he said, when No. 15 LSU hosts top-ranked Alabama at 7 p.m. on CBS hours after ESPN’s “College GameDay” pre-game show takes stage at 8 a.m. Saturday morning on the Parade Ground.`
“Primetime football,” Orgeron said. “It’s why you come to LSU. We understand the rivalry.”
“Tiger Stadium is going to be something special that night.”
“The best we’ve seen”
Orgeron didn’t hesitate to deliver compliments regarding the undefeated Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference).
In his near-30 minute news conference, Orgeron said Alabama features two of the best units of a team LSU (5-2, 3-1 SEC) will see all season: its offensive line and tight end O.J. Howard.
“I really like their offensive line. I think it’s the best we’ve seen,” Orgeron said.
“O.J. Howard is obviously the best tight end we will play against.”
And to Orgeron, the Tide’s defense may be the best.
“They have one of the best defenses I’ve ever seen,” Orgeron said of Alabama’s defense, which has 32 sacks and averages 14.9 points per game on defense.
“Might be one of the best in college football history,” Orgeron said.
Offensive line health
Most importantly to Orgeron, is LSU’s offensive line on Saturday.
Orgeron noted the protection for junior quarterback Danny Etling and junior tailback Leonard Fournette is imperative as he referenced LSU’s big men at least four times during Monday’s “Lunch with Coach O” news conference.
Including the offensive line, Orgeron said LSU is at its healthiest point of the season as of Monday.
“Besides the players that are out for the season, we should be at full speed come Saturday night,” Orgeron said. “We’re probably in the best shape we’ve been physically and injury-wise this Saturday night.”
Sophomore right tackle Toby Weathersby, who has missed LSU’s previous four games since its Sept. 17 win against Mississippi State, may return to play against Alabama, Orgeron said.
“We’ll see this week how it goes,” Orgeron said of Weathersby’s ankle injury. “If he’s ready to go, obviously, we’ll put him in. I think he’s going to be well.”
Orgeron added: “If he has a good week of practice, you know, Tuesday is going to be a big day. We’re going one on one and stuff like that, and we’ll see how he feels and if he’s not too sore or anything. But if he’s able to start, we’ll start him.”

Game 8 #LSU depth chart vs. Alabama: three offensive line -or-s, Valentine third NT, Maea Teuhema listed at 4 O-line positions. pic.twitter.com/0j9rwuY6kh
— Christian Boutwell (@CBoutwell_) October 31, 2016