No. 4 LSU, No. 7 Alabama clash in pivotal SEC showdown

It’s a pivotal American Athletic Conference West Division contest. Henry was a freshman with the Crimson Tide when Fournette chose LSU.

But Alabama fields what a few would describe as a formidable rush defense, allowing 78.5 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry. It was wild, that’s for sure.

This is the seventh time in the past decade that both teams entered the game ranked in the top 10, with four meetings going into overtime during that span. That includes Alabama’s win last season in Baton Rouge.

Although ranked seventh in the AP poll, the Tide leaped over unbeatens such as Baylor, TCU and Michigan State in the season’s first CFP rankings.

The truth is, nobody is watching Alabama-LSU on Saturday night to see which quarterback will outduel the other one.

In 2011, the SEC flipped the script and argued that Alabama deserved a rematch against LSU in the national title game even though it lost to LSU during the regular season.

There are plenty of people who hate the Southeastern Conference and the respect its elite teams receive, but you have to love the showdown between Fournette and Nick Saban that’s about to happen in Tuscaloosa.

It is a year later and Fournette has become everything his recruitment and he said he would become – the best tailback in America and runaway favorite to win that Heisman as he leads the nation with 1,352 yards and 193.1 yards a game.

4 – Alabama has won four consecutive games against LSU.

“I can tell you that as an LSU fan there is great interest in this game”, Miles said.

That’s an understatement from either fan base.

Both teams are in the top four of the initial CFP rankings.

They play each other annually, after all.

“It’s no surprise to me that the guy has developed into one of the premier players in the country and arguably the best running back in the country”, Saban said.

If Alabama emerges once again as the SEC’s best, Henry will be a big reason why. You’re playing for the lead in the West. And you’ve put yourself, with your achievements, this team, in position to do so. I do not think it will come down to who wins the third phase of the game, but who does not lose it.

Special teams. LSU has improved in recent weeks in this area, but it is impossible to forget how it almost cost the Tigers their game against Florida. Ending that streak isn’t foremost on the mind of LSU defensive back Jalen Mills but it’d be nice.

“Basically, just to be honest, I mean, no matter where it is everywhere you go, ‘Are you ready for this?” “But you also have to try to control that and figure out and hone in on what you have to do on the field”. Why not add a little more fuel to the fire.

It marks the longest period LSU has gone without playing on the road during the Les Miles era. “But just comparing their bid, because of that, with the other cities is what made the difference, frankly”. The sophomore quarterback has experienced a breakout season, compiling 12 total touchdowns with zero interceptions on the year.

“I don’t think being conservative is really going to help you win a game like this”, Saban said. “The guy has not played like a first-year quarterback at all”. Miles said he expects cornerbackTRE’DAVIOUS WHITE (knee), defensive tackle CHRISTIAN LACOUTURE (foot) and fullback J.D. Moore (knee) to return. Right tackle Dominick Jackson and reserve safety Ronnie Harrison both suffered sprained ankles against the Volunteers, but have been able to see increased workloads in practice this week. Every game between these two teams is more times than not a hard-fought and close win for the winning team.

Every season LSU knows that its game against Alabama will be a major factor in whether the Tigers can reach their loftiest goals.

PICKS ANYONE? LSU quarterback Brandon Harris hasn’t thrown an interception this season, on 128 attempts. The fact Hargreaves is not among the SEC leaders in passes broken up is more a reflection of teams not throwing against him. It’s another chance for the Wildcats to shine defensively, but they’ll need Clayton Thorson and the offense to pitch in.