If you missed it over the weekend, Ole Miss gave up 41 points to Southern Illinois. Considering Alabama has opened the season scoring over 50 points in the first two games of the season, a feat not accomplished by the Crimson Tide since 1925, it’s safe to assume some points will be scored in Oxford this Saturday.

The Rebels may have given up 41 in their latest effort but at they did score 76 of their own. That came after scoring 47 in the season opener against Texas Tech in Houston.

During his Monday afternoon press conference, Matt Luke was asked to share his thoughts on the upcoming challenge of facing Alabama and what the Rebels had in store for the big weekend. Here are the highlights from his availability with the press.

On recruiting standpoint for the Alabama game…
“It’s important, we’ll obviously have a lot of prospects here, and it’s a good opportunity for them to see Oxford at its best. Night game in The Grove, stadium packed, it’ll be a great atmosphere of college football and for recruits.”

On past games against Alabama…
“I’ve given that a lot of thought, but none of those have any bearing. Different players, different teams, we have to focus on this year with the guys in our room playing against that team. I don’t think any of the previous years matter. It’s all about this year.”

On what impresses him about Alabama…
“Just both sides, good players everywhere. Their ability to put good player after good player out there consistently. It’s impressive. They have good players, and they’re well-coached. Impressive on both sides of the ball. Offense, defensive lines are always really good. Really good skill players. It’s just impressive the consistency they show year after year.”

On the energy around the building getting ready for Alabama…
“Anytime you have the number one team in the country and the opportunity, again, the focus is we get 12 games and we have to take advantage of each and every one. But any time you have a night game in Vaught-Hemingway against the number one team in the country, I think there is a little extra juice.”

On Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa…
“The ability for a young quarterback and the decision making, they ask him to do some RPO stuff where he has to make some decisions. He’s got a really quick release. He has very good receivers to throw it to. Then his ability to extend plays. You watch their first touchdown against Louisville, he extended the play and made a play with his feet. He keeps drives going on third down by scrambling out of the pocket. His ability to extend plays, and obviously his decision making, has been good.”