At First Glance: LSU Vs. Alabama

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Game of the week: No. 6 Alabama at No. 19 LSU:
A month ago, after LSU was dominated on the road by Auburn, this didn't look like it would be much of a game. Sure, it's Alabama-LSU, one of the better rivalries in the SEC over the past decade, but Alabama looked like it might have its way in Death Valley. Not so fast. The Tigers have since won three straight games; they're playing their best football right now; and it goes up another notch when the sun sets over Tiger Stadium. Les Miles is 46-4 in home games played at night. But if anybody knows how to win in Louisiana, it's Nick Saban. He's won two of the three games he's coached at LSU since taking over at Alabama in 2007. If Saturday is anything like those two games, then get comfy. It's going to come down to the wire.

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Intriguing matchup: Leonard Fournette against Alabama's defense:
It seems like it's been a long time since Fournette struck the Heisman pose after scoring his first career touchdown against Sam Houston State. Lately, the LSU freshman has been going about his business and playing like the player everybody thought he was going to be. He rushed for 113 yards his last time out against one of the better defenses in the SEC in Ole Miss. On Saturday, he'll face the top rushing defense in the conference. Alabama is only giving up 78 yards per game on the ground this season, and they'll be geared to stop LSU's rushing attack. Fournette, who nearly ended up in Tuscaloosa, will have his hands full with the likes of Trey DePriest, Reggie Ragland and Landon Collins. It's strength vs. strength.

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