Julio Jones knows a thing or two about rivalries. As a member of the Atlanta Falcons, he is front and center of his team’s twice annual-matchup against the New Orleans Saints. With Alabama, of course, the former Crimson Tide star and his teammates had the last week of November, the Iron Bowl against Auburn, circled on their calendar each year.

Jones is sure to be watching on Nov. 28 when the Tide host the Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. For now, though, the focus is on Sunday’s game against the Saints in New Orleans.

“With the Saints and Falcons, it’s a rivalry game,” Jones told the team website this week. “Blood is boiling, it’s chippy at times, things like that. That’s what you’re going to get in this game. I’m looking forward to playing in it.”

While it’s a “good” rivalry, it doesn’t quite measure up to Jones’ top college rivalry.

“Alabama vs. Auburn is crazy, but this is a good rivalry,” Jones said. “This is a big game, it’s up there, don’t get me wrong. Especially down there when they’re able to have fans in that building, it’s definitely a difficult place to play at. I love playing New Orleans.”

Jones and the Tide beat the Tigers 2 out of his 3 years at Alabama, the only loss coming in 2010 as Cam Newton brought Auburn back from a 24-0 1st-half deficit to win 28-27. For one of the NFL’s leading receivers, it’s been a matter of trading one rivalry for another.