NESN

Stevan Ridley Hoping for an LSU Upset Over Dont’a Hightower and Brandon Deaderick’s Crimson Tide

Last year’s BCS National Championship game featured two of
college football’s most preeminent football programs, and two of its fiercest rivals.

Nick Saban led Alabama to its second national title in
three seasons and Les Miles‘ LSU Tigers endured a miserable end to a near-perfect season. The two powerhouses will meet in Baton Rouge, La., this weekend
and some of both schools’ most famous alumni will be there. Among them will be
Stevan Ridley.

With the Patriots on a bye week, Ridley, who starred at
LSU from 2008-10, told reporters on Thursday that he’s headed back to his
alma mater for what might be the biggest game of the year.

“I’ll be down in Baton Rouge, watching the LSU-Bama
game, of course,” an excited Ridley said of his weekend plans. “I
gotta go see my boys play and try to get this upset.”

The second-year running back obviously understands the
importance of Saturday’s game at Tigers Stadium, and he feels the need to go
back and support his former teammates.

“Absolutely, I’ll probably be down there [on the
sidelines], not too far,” Ridley said. “But going down to see my
boys, man, gotta go back and see them. Wish them luck.”

Ridley knows all too well the intense rivalry that exists
between the two schools, as do Patriots teammates Dont’a Hightower and Brandon
Deaderick, both who played for the Crimson Tide.

With so much riding on the game for both No. 1 Alabama and
No. 6 LSU, there’s definitely some jawing going on between
teammates. Ridley’s hoping the Tigers can pull out a win, so he can be the one
talking trash next week.

“So, I can come back and talk a little trash to
Hightower and Deaderick,” Ridley said. “I’m out
there with [LSU] on the field and I want them to win, so I can come back up
here and like I said talk a little bit.”

Typically, talk is cheap, but in this
case it’s all in good fun. So, whether it’s “Roll Tide” or “Geaux Tigers,” the
Patriots’ locker room should have a little extra flavor upon their return.

Have a question for Luke Hughes? Send it to him via Twitter @LukeFHughes or send it here.