Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama and Joe Burrow of LSU both addressed the media on Monday in regards of Saturday’s matchup at Tiger Stadium; however, the latter wanted to make sure everyone heard his thoughts.
Burrow and the Tigers want more than smoke.
It truly wants the 50-piece chicken tender meal with a side of sweet “n” sour sauce, but can it endure the pressure from the Tide this weekend? For a quarterback that has simply managed the offense through eight games, Burrow sounded extremely confident upon being interviewed.
According to a video from Jacques Doucet, a sports anchor and reporter for WAPB Channel 9 News in Baton Rouge, the transfer from Ohio State said he is not scared of this game and he doesn’t think that any one on the Tigers is scared of this game.
“I’m not scared of this game. No one on this team is scared of this game.”
“If you’re timid, then don’t come out of that locker room.” #LSU Joe Burrow. @WAFB pic.twitter.com/xLtbNs5tOO
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) October 29, 2018
“This is the reason why you play football,” Burrow said of Doucet. “This is why you grow up working so hard for moments like this. If you are timid, don’t come out the locker room. We are going to be ready to go.”
Despite him completing just 53.8 percent of his attempts – 120 of 223 — and having six touchdown passes, one has to respect Burrow’s demeanor. He and LSU’s offensive line will deal with a multitude of next level talents, including some Louisiana natives that look to drill Burrow to the ground and shut down the Tigers’ rushing attack. On defense, it was sophomore safety Grant Delpit that sounded off on Tagovailoa and what he feels on what has made him so good.
“Maybe it’s because he hasn’t played anyone like us,” Delpit said to Brody Miller of Nola.com/The Times-Picayune in answering the question of why Tagovailoa has not thrown an interception this season. “Maybe it’s because he makes smart decisions.”
The 6-foot-3, 203-pound defender leads LSU’s secondary with five picks and is relishing an opportunity to victimize the leader in the Heisman clubhouse. Delpit tied for second on the team in pass breakups with four, while leading the group in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks with four.
Going back to Burrow, he strongly embraces the underdog role.
“We’ve been underdogs in quite a few games this year, and I’m pretty sure we won most of them,” he said via Miller.
For a team favored to lose by 14.5 points, the Tigers believe it has the roster that can negate Alabama’s hopes of a conference championship and a national title. ESPN’s College Football GameDay will be on the scene and the Tide anticipates rolling out with its ninth win.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
