The Alabama Crimson Tide is going to be under the brightest spotlight possible this week with a standalone College Football Playoff game on Friday against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Having already lost to Oklahoma this year — as well as last year — it’s a third chance at the Sooners for Alabama. It’ll be their first crack at the expanded CFP with a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line.

This may be the most significant challenge Kalen DeBoer and his team have faced over the last two years, and the one with the highest stakes. But it doesn’t seem like the team is letting that fact phase it.

One of Alabama’s most important leaders, star linebacker and Mobile native Deontae Lawson, talked about the challenge during Monday’s media availability.

“We know it’s going to be a hostile environment just like any other road game that we’re playing in,” Lawson said. “We know that it’s everyone’s Super Bowl. We’ve got to go in there with a warrior mentality. We’ve got to be ready for war for all four quarters and do everything we can in preparation until Friday, and get here ready to start fast.”

In order for this battered and bruised Alabama team to have a chance on Friday night, Lawson is just one of many who will have to play a great game. Mentally, it sounds like the mindset is in the right place for both him and the team.

Time will tell if it translates to the field this time.