The LSU football team emerged from the bye week in a better position than it entered, as it now holds the No. 3 spot in both major polls and the No. 4 spot in the Bowl Championship Series poll. But coach Nick Saban said focusing on the rankings can only get the Tigers into trouble in what he calls their “new season.”
“Rankings are ‘what was,'” Saban said at his weekly press conference. “The game this week is ‘what is.’ From my perspective, ‘what is’ is what counts, and ‘what is’ is the game this week.”
Saban was referring to the Tigers’ game this Saturday at 6:45 p.m. in Tuscaloosa, Ala. against the Alabama Crimson Tide, a team that beat the Tigers 31-0 last year in Tiger Stadium.
LSU (8-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) suffered its only loss – 19-7 at the hands of Florida – the week after a bye week. Saban said the team tried to maintain a high intensity level for the entire two-week period prior to the game against the Gators, so they decided to take it a little easier last week in preparation for the game against the Crimson Tide (4-6, 2-4 SEC).
“I am pleased with the way we came out of the bye week,” Saban said. “We had a lot of good work and had the opportunity to practice against a lot of things that we are going to see here over the next few weeks.”
After watching as Miami, Virginia Tech and Florida State fell by the wayside Saturday, Saban said it is important for the Tigers to bring their “A” game and maintain a consistent level of play for the remainder of the season.
Saban said with all the distractions, including the rankings, it may be a struggle for the Tigers to keep their focus. But he said the Tigers need to keep an eye and an ear out for the best way to handle the situation.
“You’ve got the voice of reason over here and the voice of fear over here,” Saban said. “The voice of reason says we’ve got a lot of opportunities, and we’ve got to prepare for the opportunities like we always do and play our best football. If you approach it the other way, then we’ve got lots of problems.
“Worrying about failing is only going to help you fail.”
Saban said LSU needs to continue to play with the consistency it has during its past three games, something not many teams have been able to do this year when staring a possible national championship in the face.
“What’s at stake is not what players should be thinking about,” Saban continued. “Players should prepare and focus on what they have to do to play good football.
“They should have fun doing it. It’s a football game.”
Injury Report
Running back Shyrone Carey should be back in action this week after missing the Tigers’ past four games with an MCL injury, giving the Tigers a healthy backfield.
Wide receiver Devery Henderson is sick and sat out Monday’s practice but should be ready to go later in the week, Saban said.
Offensive guard Nate Livings (sprained MCL) is questionable for Saturday’s game and tight end Demetri Robinson (groin) is out. Wide receiver and special teams player Gino Giambelluca may be ready to suit up Saturday to contribute on special teams.