For anyone on Alabama football’s roster, truly fulfilling the practice assignment would be impossible.

“If we had someone that could play like him, they’d be playing,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Wednesday. “So they wouldn’t be on scout team. So we do the best we can, and I think our guys do a really good job — both sides of the ball — trying to give a good look to the defensive players. But it’s hard to simulate. It’s hard to be that deep on your team to be able to simulate.”

Saban was talking about simulating what LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. can do in the week leading up to Alabama’s matchup with the Tigers. The sophomore, who had a slow start to the season, has been back playing at his full potential of late, racking up seven tackles in LSU’s last game against Army.

Last season against the Tide, Perkins had eight tackles, a sack and a pass breakup in the Tiger win. He earned the SEC’s defensive player of the week award for his efforts in that game.

He made the Associated Press all-SEC team at the end of the year. In short, he’s a terror for opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines.

“He makes plays all over the place,” Saban said. “This guy’s a really, really good athlete, really good player, very explosive. Sometimes they play him out in the apex. He’s a great blitzer. He can play like Star and reroute people and make plays in the passing game. Sometimes he plays in the box. Sometimes he plays on the edge. He’s got great first-step quickness. He’s a good pass rusher. That’s why he has so many tackles for loss and sacks and things like that. But I think this guy is one of the most dynamic players in our league.”

Practicing for Perkins is difficult. Saban said Alabama’s players were told to watch the film on the linebacker.

According to Saban, players like Perkins are why the Crimson Tide occasionally faces off its best players in practice.

“Our players need to understand and respect why we go good-on-good. It’s to help each other get better. Because if you’re going to play against a good player on Saturday, you get a chance to play against a good player in practice — challenge yourself to do things the right way. It helps you get better. But we don’t have somebody here, on scout team, that can simulate what No. 4 does. Because the guy’s a phenomenal player.”

The matchup with LSU is going to be a big one for Alabama, as it tends to be nearly every year. If the Crimson Tide wins, it’s in the driver’s seat for the SEC West.

If the Tigers come out on top, it would likely crush UA’s playoff hopes for a second year in a row. Alabama’s offensive line has struggled throughout the season, but will need to come through in a big way Saturday against Perkins.

“He’s an elite pass rusher, great speed,” offensive tackle JC Latham said earlier in the week. “Excited to go against him. Loved going against him last year. Just can’t wait to play him.”

Alabama and LSU are scheduled to kick off at 6:45 p.m. CT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be aired on CBS.