Two Alabama players with Louisiana ties were the subject of questions to Ed Orgeron this week, but the LSU coach wasn’t much in the mood to discuss them.

On S Saivion Smith, Orgeron said he had a great relationship with his parents and family, and Smith had great feet and acceleration. But his transfer was difficult.

“I enjoyed recruiting him and his family,” Orgeron said on the Wednesday media teleconference of SEC coaches. “I had a great relationship with him and his family but I’m happy for him, he’s doing a fine job for them.”

Orgeron’s response to questions about LB Dylan Moses, a Baton Rouge native, was not as complimentary. Orgeron called him a “great young man,” but said simply, “He went to Alabama, we wish him well.”

Asked about Moses as a player, Orgeron responded, “He’s a good player.”

LSU was ranked third in the first College Football Playoff rankings, and Orgeron called it an honor, and he respects it, but it’s also just the first one.

“It shouldn’t mean much to us except we have a good team,” he said. “We have to block out the noise, there was stuff that was written about us that didn’t happen, now there’s good stuff written. We have to block it out.”

One of the keys to this week’s Alabama-LSU game will be if LSU’s defense can contain Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Coach Ed Orgeron believes that’s possible, especially given the fact that LSU had five sacks in last year’s game.

“We feel like we can get to him,” Orgeron said. “He gets rid of the ball quick, he’s tough to contain… but we feel like we can rush the passer.”

Orgeron credited K Cole Tracy and QB Joe Burrow with leadership, and he said it’s changed the team.

“I also credit our team, they accepted them,” he said. “They are two great men, I give credit to our team… both have shown leadership, led by example and earned their place.”

It’s also comforting to know that as soon as LSU hits the 33-yard line, “we feel like we’ll come away with points.”