Saban

> What advice will your wife give you before the game? "I get most of my marching orders in the first 30 minutes of the day" (while watching the Weather Channel with Terry Saban).

> Talks about his daughter dating. First thing he wants to know is if the guy is a competitor. Most were too intimidated to answer.

> One common theme in games with LSU. "Every game comes right down to the wire." Fighting through to the end shows a lot about "competitive character."

> Jazz music plays as Saban talks. "Who you got playing back there? Got a little Al Green? Turn it up."

> Says he worries if there's enough practice or too much. Regarding the kicker: "We try to simulate game situations as much as possible."

> "We coach for the players. I'm most concerned about doing a good job for our team, our players and the institution we represent." Says he has great memories of LSU and many great friends and relationships in Louisiana. He says he respects the passions of fans. Says he won't be reflecting much on that in the hours before the game.

> "Les Miles has done a fabulous job at LSU," he says, recalling his own problems when he started there. Under Miles, "their consistency and success is second to none."

> He'll tell his team to be relentless. "My message to the team will be to focus on everything they can do to play their best football."

> On the fake punt in the national title game against Texas two years ago. "To be honest with you, it was probably a mistake." .... "Sometimes when you do things like that, the players see you being aggressive, and maybe it's not as bad as you think."

> Hasn't thought about next year or if players will go to the NFL.

> Nov. 5 loss in Tuscaloosa presented an opportunity to improve. It's a blessing in disguise.

> Defensive coordinator's got "all the right stuff." Been with us a long time, knows how to teach our system. "He and I work well together."

> Players, across the next 36 hours, just need to focus on the opportunity, not the pressure.

> Says the commitment to improving by his players has made him proud.

> Appreciates the hospitality of the city and the organizers.

Les Miles

> Any satisfaction in facing Nick Saban, who was the LSU coach before Miles? "This game, and the significance of its outcome, really transcends personality, style or stuff. This is about quality teams playing for a very significant title."

> He expects Monday to be "big boy football, very physical."

> A Birmingham TV reporter asks if he knows if Tyrann Mathieu has looked up Alabama players' mothers names to get in their heads. "That's news to me."

> Will he entertain an NFL coaching post if he wins Monday night? Dismisses these questions about the future. "I promise you, I'm going to go to the game and fight like heck for victory."

> Says his players have handled adversity very maturely.

> Is Alabama the best team LSU has played. "Yes. Absolutely." Says of the Tide: "They play hard. They work hard. They're willing to pay that price. I don't answer that question very well, just so you know."

> "It's really about what you did well and what you do well," Miles says in response to analyzing the Nov. 5 victory in Tuscaloosa in relation to the BCS game plan. Overanalyzing can be counterproductive, he says. He expects to see similarities and differences but style won't change.

> On LSU's tough schedule: "The only team I've told them not to schedule was the Green Bay Packers."

> His kicker and punter know how to adapt, prepare emotionally and physically.

> "When we take the field, we'll be an emotional, fired-up football team," he says. "They'll play well once they get there."

> Where would this team would rank historically if it wins BCS title Monday? "Ask it tomorrow night."

> Says he is responsible for choosing the right players to be in the game and give the team the best chance of winning. Says he loves both of his QBs as men, and credits Jarrett Lee with continuing to compete with Jordan Jefferson.

> Teams in this game have great stories of players who continued to work to improve themselves and the team. "Jarrett Lee, obviously, started in a position where he did not start quickly as a player. And the ability for him to rebound, continue to compete and to show his team that he was there for them is also another great story about college football."