"It's going to be a good game, like it is every year. I think it's going to be closer than what people think. Bama has been dominating so far, but we play different at home. We're a totally different team at home. We're going to play well. It's been the biggest game of our season for the last four or five years." (Associated Press)

"We definitely wanted to get the W badly each year we played them. I think I finished 2-2 against them in the regular season, and then of course got the big win in the National Championship Game last year, which made us 3-2 overall during my career. But you definitely knew that it was always going to be a hard-fought game, and that both teams were bringing their A game. You always had to be on top of your preparations to play against those guys." (Associated Press)

"Over the past couple of years it's definitely one of the best games that's played every season. It's always a good game no matter what the records are. I'm expecting nothing less this year." (Associated Press)

"A lot of tradition, pretty hostile. It's one of those games that pretty much gets you ready for the NFL." (Associated Press)

"The feeling going into the Alabama game, the preparation, it was always like we were playing against ourselves because they were as good as we were. Just the excitement, the stadium, that's the number one rivalry, so that game was epic across the board for both sides. For us it was a must-win, it was like our national championship every year. Whoever won that game normally went to the national championship, so the coaches that whole week just raved on that game saying to play it like it was the last game of the season." (Associated Press)

"It's a classic SEC battle. It's got a lot of implications on who's going to come out of the West. It's two good teams, two good defenses. It's a great environment (in Death Valley). It's always going to be a big game." (Associated Press)

"I think it's taken on more of a heated rivalry. When I was in school it was LSU and Auburn, and the winner of that game usually played in the SEC Championship for the West. When I think back on my time there, it was more about us and Auburn, but now it's LSU and Alabama. If they are anything like the games between us and Auburn, it's heated, it's hard-fought and it's a fun one to watch and be a part of. I keep in touch with a lot of the LSU support staff, strength coaches and trainers who I see in the offseason. You'll always have ties there and you always pull for them." (Associated Press)

"I feel like Alabama is going to win, I always feel that way. Ever since coach Saban got to 'Bama the rivalry has intensified. Me and (former LSU LB) Kelvin (Sheppard) talk a little bit, along with (former Alabama LB) Dont'a (Hightower), and (former Alabama RB Stevan) Ridley." (Associated Press)

"I played in Death Valley twice. It's a great environment especially for night games. It's a real physical game. It's a real emotional game. It's usually for the lead in the SEC West. Everyone is going to come with their A-game so you just have to bring it."

What are your thoughts on the game this weekend? "Roll Tide all day. We are going to come up to Baton Rouge and get the win. Roll Tide." (Associated Press)

"I'll be watching. That rivalry speaks for itself. It's one of the richest, toughest rivalry games you will see. It'll be tough and hard-nosed, physical. Being there for three years, playing those guys, it's a sense of urgency you get in the locker room when it is Alabama week." (Associated Press)

"My memories of it in Alabama, especially with the way Coach Saban came to Alabama (from LSU) and the way things happened, LSU definitely has a grudge against him and want to beat him every time they can. Going into the environment in Death Valley, I remember that. Their fans are excited, it's a loud environment. It'll be a good test for Alabama."

"We talk about it a little. But we'll talk about (Cardinals) football this week, anything other than that, we're all beefing this week, until Saturday is over." (Associated Press)

"I was down at LSU during the bye week, so I had a chance to see them at practice and make them understand how big this rivalry is and how far back it goes. Every year the rivalry has been big, but I feel like this year there should be even more of an emphasis to beat Alabama because they went to the National Championship last year and we should still have that sour taste in our mouth from last year. We need to go out there and let them have it." (Associated Press)

"It's the biggest rivalry in [college] football. There's nothing like it, especially in Tiger Stadium. It's going to be an electric atmosphere and there's a lot of hate between the two teams. That's how it was growing up and that's how it is to this day. Especially with both teams being in the SEC West and competing, it's almost like a pre-national championship right here. There's a lot on this game and I'm excited to go back and watch my boys play. I think they're going to pull it out." (Associated Press)

"The game always meant a lot knowing that it was an SEC rivalry, and then just knowing that it was coach Saban's old school, too. There was nothing more that you wanted than to beat them. It meant a lot to me every time we would go out and play them. The win in overtime at LSU in my first year there in 2008, that victory was a special memory. The defense really stepped up in that game and made some tremendous plays in the overtime. It really made it a great game." (Associated Press)