Live outside Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, the College GameDay crew tried to pick Nick Saban’s brain for any last-minute clues before tonight’s showdown of College Football Playoff contenders.

Here are some of the highlights:

“I think the most important thing that your team needs to do in games like this, is being able to stay focused on executing on the field and on the field and not getting involved in all the hype,” Saban said. “Win those 1-on-1 battles and it gives you a chance to be successful.”

On Alabama’s front seven:

“We have more diversity in players. We have big power guys that play well against the run, but we also have some guys we can put in on third down to rush the passer.”

On scouting Amari Cooper:

“He came to our camp in the summer and he was as good as any wide receiver we’ve ever had in any camp. We offered the guy and he came to our program and had an outstanding career.”

On Calvin Ridley:

“Being a freshman, we didn’t think his role would be quite as big, but when Robert Foster went down early with an injury, it’s allowed Calvin Ridley to be a starter. He’s a pretty talented guy. It’s good for our team that he’s matured nicely as a freshman.

Avoiding mistakes and not repeating the Ole Miss game:

“It was uncharacteristic for our team because we were extremely emotional for that game. We played out of sorts. Anytime you have five turnovers in a game, it’s going to be hard to beat anybody, but those things really killed us in that game.”

On interacting with coaches, play calls during battle:

“I was a defensive coordinator and I didn’t like guys in my ear during the game. I try to let my guys coach … Lane (Kiffin) and Kirby (Smart).”