Tiger Stadium is “truly a place where opponents’ dreams come to die,” LSU coach Les Miles said. Alabama players have heard the message loud and clear as they prepare to travel to what some believe is the toughest place to play in college football.
“I played there in 2010 and it was difficult, a tough environment; the fans are into it as much as the players,” senior safety Robert Lester said. “Being an older guy, having experience, having been in those situations, you have to tune it out as much as you can. You’ve got to let the younger guys know that it can’t play a big factor in the game, throw you out of your game.”
Miles’ quote has made its way around the Alabama locker room and into the weight room. Strength coach Scott Cochran read the quote to players as they went through their workouts and the message has stuck.
“I don’t understand Les Miles,” wide receiver Kevin Norwood said. “But at the same time, Death Valley is a tough place to play, especially when they got their crowd behind them, especially when they got a good defense. So we’re just going to have to bring our A-game and focus on what we gotta do.”
Running back Eddie Lacy conjured another reason.
“The name of it,” he said. “When you have to go play somewhere called Death Valley, you’re like, ‘uh…’ You know, they’re going to have the crowd, they’re going to have their energy going. Just the stadium, especially when you play at nighttime. That’s a different effect.”
Injury update
Alabama head coach Nick Saban said quarterback AJ McCarron and wide receiver Amari Cooper would be limited in practice Monday as they recover from injuries. McCarron sustained a “back contusion” in Saturday’s game, while Cooper twisted his ankle.
“We’ve got a couple of guys like always that’ll be a little slow today probably,” Saban said. “But we look for them to progress pretty rapidly through the week and be OK, probably even by tomorrow.”
Staff players of the week
Nine Alabama players were recognized by the coaching staff for their performances following Saturday’s 38-7 victory over No. 11 Mississippi State. Guard Chance Warmack, tight end Michael Williams and running back T.J. Yeldon were named players of the week on offense, while linebackers Denzel Devall and C.J. Mosley represented the defense. On special teams, defensive back John Fulton, wide receivers Christion Jones and Cyrus Jones and punter Cody Mandell were selected.