It’s no secret that this year’s Iron Bowl is one of the most important games in the country this weekend, as No. 1 Alabama and No. 6 Auburn will battle it out for the SEC West title.

It’s a must-win for Auburn, while the Crimson Tide would also like to win to cement their College Football Playoff chances.

Alabama QB Jalen Hurts knows how important the game is, even if he doesn’t have the emotional ties to the game that most Alabama natives do.

Hurts said he’s excited for the chance to play in the important rivalry game between the two Alabama squads during his Monday media availability in a video posted by Tide 102.9.

“It’s a great rivalry game, like all the other ones around this time in the country,” he said. “I grew up in Texas, so I grew up watching A&M and Texas play, but this will be another great game and a great rivalry.”

The Texas native admitted he doesn’t have any deep ties to the Iron Bowl, but said he’s motivated by the chance to pick up another big win:

“I’m not from Alabama, so I can’t give you any emotional relations to this game,” he said. “It’s just a game we need to go out there and win. It’s a big game for the state of Alabama. We’ll do our best to represent the University of Alabama the best way we can.”

Saturday afternoon’s game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time and can be seen on CBS.