It’s rivalry week in college football, and nowhere is the passion more intense than in the state of Alabama.

The 80th Iron Bowl is set for Saturday (3:30 ET, CBS), and if Alabama and Auburn fans weren’t worked up enough already, the players are getting in on the act.

“I don’t think they’re nothing special, honestly,” Alabama defensive back Cyrus Jones said of Auburn’s receiving corps, according to AL.com. “But we still can’t overlook them. We’ve still got to prepare for them like we’re playing the best guys in our conference. I just think we have to come in there ready to do our job, which we do every weekend.”

Ouch. Auburn wide out Ricardo Louis kept it simple in his retort:

Some would argue that erratic quarterback play hasn’t put Auburn’s receivers in positions to excel as Sean White and Jeremy Johnson have struggled to find consistency. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn wasn’t tipping his hand as to which one of them would get the most playing time Saturday, so Alabama may have to spend a little time preparing for both.

While Auburn is playing for pride, bowl positioning and bragging rights, Alabama is playing for all of that — and much, much more.

With a win, followed by another one in the SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide should lock up a spot in the College Football Playoff. A loss, however, probably knocks them out.

Should the Tide falter, and Ole Miss knocks off Mississippi State, the Tide would miss out on a spot in the SEC title game as well.

Alabama is a 13.5-point favorite, and finding the motivation to play Auburn shouldn’t be an issue. But the fact remains that the Tigers have the chance to pick up the sweetest Iron Bowl win in some time.

If they do, they’ll be the ones doing the talking.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Derrick Henry, Jr., RB — The leading Heisman Trophy candidate, Henry is the SEC’s second-leading rusher with 1,526 yards, and he leads the nation with 21 rushing touchdowns. Henry combines size, toughness and speed, and he’s tough to bring down. He had 72 yards and a TD in the Tide’s 55-44 last year.

Top player, defense: Eddie Jackson, Jr., S — On a defense stocked with future NFL talent, Jackson is tied for the league lead with five interceptions, two of which he’s returned for touchdowns, to go along with 37 tackles. Jackson had five stops in last year’s game, and, if either White or Johnson make a mistake, he’s likely to pad his interception stats.

Top player, special teams: Cyrus Jones, Sr., CB — When he’s not patrolling the secondary or saying things that end up tacked to opposing teams’ bulletin boards, Jones is a dangerous punt-return threat. He returned two for TDs last week against Charleston Southern and another the week before against Mississippi State.