WILLIE FRITZ
"We just got done with practice. We went over to Legion Field. After a W we celebrate by having snoballs. There's actually a NOLA Snoball bus here in Birmingham, so we were able to go ahead and do that. I thought we were going to have wait until we got back to NOLA, but we were able to do that today, which was fun. We had a good, spirited practice. Worked out a little bit yesterday as well. Just trying to have a good grasp of all the unique things that Ole Miss does."
On Ole Miss averaging 600 yards
"We have to stay over the top and do a good job of tackling in space because they do a super job of getting there playmakers the ball in space by pass or run. They've got a really good running game, much better than people probably give them credit for. I don't know everything with the offense and who's calling what and all that stuff. I think it's a little bit of a combination. Coach (Lane) Kiffin has had fantastic offenses for years and years and years. Coach (Jeff) Lebby, the offensive coordinator, is from that Art Briles Baylor (offensive approach). He went down to UCF and its a tough offense to defend. They'll tempo yo at times and sometimes they'll go regular speed as well, but if you let that quarterback get back there and pat the ball, he's going to find somebody open. They have dynamic pass catchers and and guys that can run the ball."
On having already faced Oklahoma helping:
"There are some similarities between both of them. I don't know if they are exactly the same family as far as where they learned everything and all that, but they are both going to spread you out and they both have much better running games than people give them credit for. They really run the ball effectively outside and inside. Oklahoma probably ran more counter from what we've see. Ole Miss will run some counter, but they are very explosive offenses that spread you horizontally and vertically."
On needing pass rush against Matt Corral:
"We need some pressure to make him at least throw the ball out of rhythm. That certainly helps you. We always want to try to get some pressure. Sometimes you have to rush three. Sometimes you rush four. Sometimes you sell the farm and try to bring more than they have to block. When he sits back and pats the ball, we have to be really good in coverage both underneath and over the top.
On needing to score a lot of points to have a chance (LSU intercepted Corral five times last year and almost gave up 50 points anyway):
"We are going to have to score some points, there's no question about it. We have to do a good job of controlling the ball. It looks like they changed up quite a bit from last year what they do defensively. They are doing a little bit more of a high three safety type look. Iowa State has had a lot of success with that. They may have visited with them. I don't know. We have to understand that a gain of 5 is a good play, and we've got to be patient and understand that they are set up to limit big plays."
On running game and offensive line being being equipped to win:
"I hope so. We have to do a good job of protection. We even had a couple of snaps losing that on Saturday. We've got to balanced. If we stand back there with too long developing routes on every play, it's going to be very difficult for us. They've got a heck of a front. They've got some really good pass rushers. No. 7 (Sam Williams) is a dynamic pass rusher. They have a bunch of big, fast guys up there."
On Pratt transforming offense:
"He's done an excellent job. He's picking the game up and the game. has slowed down for him a little bit. He's seeing things pre-snap, he's accurate and has a strong arm. He has better movement that people give him credit for. We're excited we have an excellent quarterback, and you've got to have that in these type of games."
On this being a breakthrough game:
"We've been awfully close. We go into every game with the expectations of winning. That's what we want to do each and every week, and we are going to prepare that way. We have to play to the best of our ability. I really feel like if we play four strong quarters, we have an excellent opportunity, but we've got to do that. Ole Miss has done an excellent job offensively and they are very good in the kicking game. We are going to have to play really well on Saturday witbout question."
On coming back home for UAB game:
"Our guys were very excited. I got a standing ovation when I announced that yesterday, but we are going to play the game Saturday night, load up and come back to Birmingham, get up early Sunday morning and load the buses, load the pets. load all the families and head back to NOLA. We're very excited about getting back, and that's not to diminish all the great things everybody here in Birmingham has done for us. It's awesome. We've gone a couple of times now, Jim Wilson and his father, Big JIm Wilson, he's had our athletic center is named after him, he's had all the student-athletes, support staff and administration and coaches to one of his hotels for dinner last Tuesday and last night as well, so he's been awesome. The people at Mountain Brook High School that let us use their weight room has been great. Legion Field has been awesome, and the people at the hotel have been outstanding, but we'd like to get on home, too. I know the guys were excited about getting back home, too."
"We just got done with practice. We went over to Legion Field. After a W we celebrate by having snoballs. There's actually a NOLA Snoball bus here in Birmingham, so we were able to go ahead and do that. I thought we were going to have wait until we got back to NOLA, but we were able to do that today, which was fun. We had a good, spirited practice. Worked out a little bit yesterday as well. Just trying to have a good grasp of all the unique things that Ole Miss does."
On Ole Miss averaging 600 yards
"We have to stay over the top and do a good job of tackling in space because they do a super job of getting there playmakers the ball in space by pass or run. They've got a really good running game, much better than people probably give them credit for. I don't know everything with the offense and who's calling what and all that stuff. I think it's a little bit of a combination. Coach (Lane) Kiffin has had fantastic offenses for years and years and years. Coach (Jeff) Lebby, the offensive coordinator, is from that Art Briles Baylor (offensive approach). He went down to UCF and its a tough offense to defend. They'll tempo yo at times and sometimes they'll go regular speed as well, but if you let that quarterback get back there and pat the ball, he's going to find somebody open. They have dynamic pass catchers and and guys that can run the ball."
On having already faced Oklahoma helping:
"There are some similarities between both of them. I don't know if they are exactly the same family as far as where they learned everything and all that, but they are both going to spread you out and they both have much better running games than people give them credit for. They really run the ball effectively outside and inside. Oklahoma probably ran more counter from what we've see. Ole Miss will run some counter, but they are very explosive offenses that spread you horizontally and vertically."
On needing pass rush against Matt Corral:
"We need some pressure to make him at least throw the ball out of rhythm. That certainly helps you. We always want to try to get some pressure. Sometimes you have to rush three. Sometimes you rush four. Sometimes you sell the farm and try to bring more than they have to block. When he sits back and pats the ball, we have to be really good in coverage both underneath and over the top.
On needing to score a lot of points to have a chance (LSU intercepted Corral five times last year and almost gave up 50 points anyway):
"We are going to have to score some points, there's no question about it. We have to do a good job of controlling the ball. It looks like they changed up quite a bit from last year what they do defensively. They are doing a little bit more of a high three safety type look. Iowa State has had a lot of success with that. They may have visited with them. I don't know. We have to understand that a gain of 5 is a good play, and we've got to be patient and understand that they are set up to limit big plays."
On running game and offensive line being being equipped to win:
"I hope so. We have to do a good job of protection. We even had a couple of snaps losing that on Saturday. We've got to balanced. If we stand back there with too long developing routes on every play, it's going to be very difficult for us. They've got a heck of a front. They've got some really good pass rushers. No. 7 (Sam Williams) is a dynamic pass rusher. They have a bunch of big, fast guys up there."
On Pratt transforming offense:
"He's done an excellent job. He's picking the game up and the game. has slowed down for him a little bit. He's seeing things pre-snap, he's accurate and has a strong arm. He has better movement that people give him credit for. We're excited we have an excellent quarterback, and you've got to have that in these type of games."
On this being a breakthrough game:
"We've been awfully close. We go into every game with the expectations of winning. That's what we want to do each and every week, and we are going to prepare that way. We have to play to the best of our ability. I really feel like if we play four strong quarters, we have an excellent opportunity, but we've got to do that. Ole Miss has done an excellent job offensively and they are very good in the kicking game. We are going to have to play really well on Saturday witbout question."
On coming back home for UAB game:
"Our guys were very excited. I got a standing ovation when I announced that yesterday, but we are going to play the game Saturday night, load up and come back to Birmingham, get up early Sunday morning and load the buses, load the pets. load all the families and head back to NOLA. We're very excited about getting back, and that's not to diminish all the great things everybody here in Birmingham has done for us. It's awesome. We've gone a couple of times now, Jim Wilson and his father, Big JIm Wilson, he's had our athletic center is named after him, he's had all the student-athletes, support staff and administration and coaches to one of his hotels for dinner last Tuesday and last night as well, so he's been awesome. The people at Mountain Brook High School that let us use their weight room has been great. Legion Field has been awesome, and the people at the hotel have been outstanding, but we'd like to get on home, too. I know the guys were excited about getting back home, too."