Barrett Jones Discusses Saban Report and Significance of LSU Rivalry on the Game

Former Alabama offensive lineman and current St. Louis Rams Barrett Jones joined The Game on Tuesday night to discuss the upcoming Alabama-LSU game but also shared his thoughts on the newest Associated Press report about Nick Saban.

As Jones, a two-time All-American and winner of the Outland and Rimington trophies, came on the show, the news about Saban and Texas had just been reported and he was more than willing to discuss the topic. He left no confusion on what he felt about Saban leaving Alabama.

"I've heard these rumors countless times and I've never heard any validity to them," Jones told Martin Houston, who was filling in for host Ryan Fowler. "I am not worried at all and I don't know why he would want to do that right now. From talking to him and his wife, they seem very happy and I think he intends to retire here."

The former All-American also talked about the significance of the Alabama-LSU rivalry, a game he was very familiar with. During his four-year career, Jones faced the Tigers five times.

"I love the Alabama-LSU rivalry. It's always a lot of fun and is always the most physical game you play every year. You know what you are going to get from LSU. They are not going to try to trick you as much. They are going to line up and try to run the football and stop the run and that's we respect about them. They play a physical brand of football like we do. It usually determines who is going to win the West and is always the big game on our schedule but we need to execute like we would any other game."

Jones said the key for the Crimson Tide this weekend would be establishing an effective running game.

"I think we have to be able to run the football and I think when our offense has success it is more run-the-ball. I think the way our passing game has been lately, it has been very good and at a very high level and I think the reason you are seeing that is a result of the offensive line doing a good job of establishing the run which really opens up the passing game. I think running the football is going to really critical for us."

Stopping LSU begins with containing the team's two big-play receivers. If Alabama can do that, Jones likes its chances to win Saturday night.

"On defense I think eliminating the big plays. They have some playmakers in (Jarvis) Landry and (Odell) Beckham. They are going to make some plays we just got to stay away from the big plays like the 70 yard touchdowns. If we stay away from that we have a good chance to win."

You can listen to the entire interview with Barrett Jones here.