Last night, Mark Ingram and Patrick Peterson hosted “Rock the Night presents The Crystal Ball”, a pre-party for tonight’s BCS Championship Game with some of the proceeds benefiting a local Veterans Affairs group. Former LSU and Alabama players including Marcell Dareus (Alabama), Justin Vincent (LSU), and Joseph Addai (LSU) attended. The players predicted tonight’s winner with no hesitation or bias, and discussed their memories of playing in the SEC’s most famous rivalry.

MARK INGRAM, former Alabama running back, Heisman Trophy winner and rookie Saints running back:

 

I’ve been following your Twitter feed and I have to ask: when you play MarioKart, which character do you pick to drive?

I play with Yoshi or Baby Mario.

Why Baby Mario?

He always wins.

On a more serious note, who do you predict to win tomorrow’s game?

Do you need to ask me that question?

Okay, so I’ll put you down for LSU—

No, no, no. It’s gonna be Alabama. Roll Tide.

Why is there such a rivalry between the two schools?

It’s the SEC. They’re our SEC foe and we play every year. It’s a great rivalry and something that I think both teams look forward to every year. I think both programs respect each other, and I look forward to a great game.

What’s your favorite memory of playing LSU during your years at Alabama?

Probably double overtime my freshman year. Going into Death Valley and beating them in double overtime.

Did you have a nickname while you were there?

Deuce. Deuce Deuce.

 

PATRICK PETERSON, former LSU player and current Cardinals cornerback

Who will win tomorrow?

LSU, no doubt.

What is this rivalry really about?

It’s about who is the toughest team. It’s all about discipline and focus. Being in the same division and conference makes it that much more of a rivalry.

What’s your favorite memory of playing against Alabama?

My favorite memory, although it was a bad one, was an interception down in Tuscaloosa during my sophomore year and they called it a no touchdown. That was pretty bad.

So why is that your favorite?

Just sticks out.

It looked like you had it at the time.

I thought it looked real good.

What was your nickname when you were playing college ball?

PP. They called me a little bit of everything.

What advice would you give to the LSU players tomorrow?

Start fast. Keep your foot on the gas. Don’t look back.

 

Kickoff for the BCS National Championship is tonight at 7:30 CST.