Don’t tell Ed Orgeron that LSU can’t compete with Alabama.

The Tigers interim coach took advantage of the off week to speak at the New Orleans Quarterback Club on Tuesday. The fiery Cajun didn’t balk at a question about facing the toughest test of his open audition to become LSU’s full-time head coach, emphatically expressing confidence in his No. 19 Tigers as they prepare to host the No. 1 Crimson Tide on Nov. 5.

It’s not hard to see why Orgeron has so much confidence in his team. LSU has won three relatively lopsided games since he took over for the fired Les Miles on Sept. 25, most recently handing then-No. 23 Ole Miss a 38-21 loss in Tiger Stadium.

Orgeron has breathed new life into the program, but we’ll have to wait until Nov. 5 to see if the Tigers have truly turned over a new leaf under the Louisiana native.