LSU coach Ed Orgeron said he expects Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa to play next week as he recovers from a right ankle injury suffered against Tennessee.

On the SEC media teleconference, Orgeron also outlined how Alabama is different this year, including Tagovailoa and the defense.

“I’m watching the game from last year, I don’t know how you get better,” Orgeron said. “His reads, his throws, incredible. They call the right plays at the right time.”

Orgeron said the Alabama defensive front is playing better behind great talent and coaching, but he hasn’t watched a lot about the defense. Orgeron said he’s looking at the offense, but it’s another great Nick Saban defense.

Here’s what else he said on the call:

  • On No. 1 ranking: One thing, we don’t pay too much attention to that. It’s great for the school, team, recruiting but we have a lot of football to play. The CFP is the one that matters. This is not the finish line this is just that start.
  • On if the offense is helping recruiting: It has made a great impact, reminds me of Coach Carroll with Bush and Leinart (during his time at USC).
  • On upcoming No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup: It’s where you want to be, when you come to LSU, you choose to compete at this level… great players, great coaches, 1 vs 2 is special, especially when you win it… we have put ourselves in a great position.
  • On making sure his team doesn’t say too much: Immediately after the Auburn game, I talked to my team about not winning the game on the Twitter machine… we don’t want to give any bulletin board material on the Twitter machine.
  • Favorite gumbo: My mom makes the best one, seafood jumbo…
  • I felt like I would, I knew we did some good things (at Ole Miss)… I didn’t know it would be at LSU. the interim job at USC, went 6-2, beat a good team… I was very appreciative of Joe Alleva giving me a chance.. but it’s all about having a great staff and great players. It’s easier when you are surrounded by great people.
  • You have been guarded during your coaching career, fair to say you have opened up a bit? That’s fair to say. I wasn’t here to make a splash, make some noise, I didn’t want to distract our team.
  • Grant Delpit’s status: I feel like he will be ready, it’s close. I don’t know how much he will practice, probably not this week, maybe not next week but closer to game time.