Ole Miss coach Matt Luke met with the media Monday and talked about his team's upcoming matchup with Alabama.

Here's a rundown of what he said:

-- Was "very impressed" with his team's offensive efficiency during its 76-41 win over Southern Illinois on Saturday. "Jordan Ta'amu played really well. Receivers made some big plays when they had to, and I was really pleased with that."

-- "Looking at the defensive side of the ball (against Southern Illinois), it was a tale of two halves. Same calls against the same plays, we executed in the second half, first half we didn't. That comes back to me having the guys ready to play right from the start. We have 12 opportunities, and we have to do a better job of taking advantage. From a schematic standpoint, it was more just about execution and going out and playing the game. The same people that were running wide open in the first half were the same plays that we were intercepting in the second half. We just need to play faster with more of a sense of urgency. It wasn't anything schematic, more just focus going out and playing the game that should be played."

-- On facing Alabama: "We are excited about the challenge and excited to have a big game. The Grove will be rocking and will be a great atmosphere."

-- On getting players ready mentally for Alabama: "You work all year for 12 opportunities. They're all precious, and you have to treat them all the same. So often it's very hard to just get them to focus and be in the now. That's my job as head coach is to have them ready to go and take advantage of each opportunity."

-- On the importance of this game from a recruiting standpoint: "It's important. We'll obviously have a lot of prospects here, and it's a good opportunity for them to see Oxford at its best. Night game in The Grove, stadium packed, it'll be a great atmosphere of college football and for recruits."

-- On past matchups against Alabama: "I've given that a lot of thought, but none of those have any bearing. Different players, different teams. We have to focus on this year with the guys in our room playing against that team. I don't think any of the previous years matter. It's all about this year."

-- On what impresses him about Alabama: "Just both sides. Good players everywhere. Their ability to put good player after good player out there consistently. It's impressive. They have good players, and they're well-coached. Impressive on both sides of the ball. Offense, defensive lines are always really good. Really good skill players. It's just impressive the consistency they show year after year."

-- On the energy around the building entering this game: "Anytime you have the number one team in the country and the opportunity, the focus is we get 12 games and we have to take advantage of each and every one. But any time you have a night game in Vaught-Hemingway against the number one team in the country, I think there is a little extra juice."

-- On what he sees from Tua Tagovailoa: "The ability for a young quarterback and the decision-making. They ask him to do some RPO stuff where he has to make some decisions. He's got a really quick release. He has very good receivers to throw it to. Then, his ability to extend plays. You watch their first touchdown against Louisville. He extended the play and made a play with his feet. He keeps drives going on third down by scrambling out of the pocket. His ability to extend plays and obviously his decision-making has been good."

-- On addressing focus with his players: "Just preparation and the way you approach your work week and approach your business and just keeping your focus throughout that. That's up to me to set that and to go on the practice field on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and go out there and make it happen and just to see the big picture. Sometimes you can look past, but you have to be focused on the here and now and the task at hand. In football, it's tough to win every game, and they're all very important. They all count the same, so you just have to take advantage of each opportunity you have."