Alabama football is days away from its top-13 matchup against LSU. As the Crimson Tide wrapped up its Wednesday practice, Nick Saban headed to the podium for his last press conference of the week.

Here’s what the Crimson Tide head coach said once he reached the podium.

— “The most important thing in this game is good practice habits,” Saban stated in his opening statement, mentioning how players need to maintain focus before a tough matchup.

–LSU head coach Brian Kelly has a “winning process that has worked at Notre Dame, Cincinnati, every place he’s tried to coach.”

–Saban doesn’t think offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has approached this week any differently since he’s facing Kelly, his former head coach. Saban stressed how you need to be “careful” with trying to switch it up ahead of a big game. He said Rees has stayed consistent and done a good job of preparing this week.

–Harold Perkins is a “really good athlete” who “makes plays all over the place,” Saban said in a glowing endorsement of the LSU defender.

–Saban said the Bryant-Denny Stadium atmosphere was “as good as it gets” against Tennessee and he’s anticipating another good crowd this weekend.

–Alabama “does the best it can” in trying to stop Perkins, but if Alabama had a player that could adequately fill Perkins’ role, Saban quipped they’d be playing and wouldn’t be available to the scout team.

“The guy is a phenomenal player.”

–”(Players) have to make a choice and a decision to do it,” Saban said of Alabama finally achieving a full 60-minute game. The Tide has struggled with either slow starts or mid-game lulls through its six-game winning streak.

— “I think it has a lot to do with confidence,” Saban said of quarterback Jalen Milroe’s development. Experience is an accumulated learning of past mistakes on or off the football field, Saban said. Milroe has embraced that throughout this season and regaining the starting job.

–”The other team is gonna make some plays, we’re gonna make some plays, we have to respond to the next play,” Saban said of the mentality the Tide will need against LSU. That is especially key for Milroe and having him recognize that not every Alabama offensive play will be successful.

–Saban acknowledged Alabama has a scouting report on every referee crew in the SEC and will use it to guide players during the week. Saban said the team is provided with a historic accounting of an official’s fouls.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].