Alabama C Ross Pierschbacher calls LSU’s Death Valley ‘the craziest stadium to play in’
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It’s safe to say Ross Pierschbacher is familiar with Tiger Stadium.
Alabama’s versatile offensive lineman has been to LSU’s intimidating venue twice already, once in 2014 during his redshirt season and then again as a starting guard in 2016. Considering his experience with Death Valley, Pierschbacher was asked about the atmosphere as the Crimson Tide prepares to return there Saturday.
“I think it’s different. I think the most — the loudest atmosphere that we’ve seen this year, probably,” Pierschbacher told reporters, as you can see in a YouTube video posted by Charlie Potter. “I just always remember — people talk about what’s the craziest stadium to play in, and I always say LSU right off the bat. A night game in Death Valley, you can’t beat it.”
Pierschbacher, of course, doesn’t have the luxury of being able to take in such a rowdy environment. In fact, as Alabama’s starting center this year, the deafening noise produced by Tigers fan is designed specifically to make his job harder.
“Making calls, we’re going to have to like mouth things and read lips,” the redshirt senior said. “I remember always having to do that (as a guard). You’re just kind of getting the gist of what the center’s saying. You’re not really hearing everything. Just kind of knowing the guy next to you, what he’s thinking. And sometimes you’re not going to be able to hear the call.
“Just doing that and just hearing the quarterback and all the changes that we have to do with that, too. We’re working through that this week.”
The Crimson Tide has been able to handle the rigors of Death Valley during Pierschbacher’s time with the team, escaping Baton Rouge with an overtime win in 2014 before pulling out a 10-0 victory in 2016. Alabama also needed a touchdown in the final minute to win there in 2012, the second of seven straight victories for Nick Saban’s squad in the series.
How Pierschbacher handles the crowd noise will be a huge factor when the No. 1 Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) takes on No. 4 LSU (7-1, 4-1) at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
