BATON ROUGE, La. -- Publicly, LSU running back Leonard Fournette has been largely silent about the perceived score he and the No. 15 Tigers have to settle with top-ranked Alabama.The Tigers powerful and explosive star running back -- who scored three touchdowns of 59 yards or longer in his previous game -- was nowhere to be seen during designated times for media interviews this week. But when the cameras and microphones were gone, Fournette apparently had plenty to say to his teammates about facing a Crimson Tide squad that last year held him to a mere 31 yards on 19 carries while defeating the Tigers for a fifth-straight time .Hes probably the most motivated guy on the team, LSU interim coach Ed Orgeron said this week. He has spoken to the team and will speak to the team again. His want-to to have success against Alabama is as high as any other player Ive seen.The Tigers confidence is surging as they aim to end their skid against their century-old nemesis from two states away on Saturday night in Death Valley. LSU (5-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) has won three straight -- each by 17 or more points -- since Orgeron took over for Les Miles in late September.This is obviously one of the biggest games of the year -- always is, Alabama coach Nick Saban said, adding the LSU is probably as good a team as weve played all year, especially the way theyre playing now.Regardless of how the Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0) ruined Fournettes Heisman Trophy candidacy by bottling him up in Tuscaloosa last year, Saban asserted that LSUs 6-foot-1, 235-pound junior is probably one of the most dynamic running backs that has played in college football for a while -- and is playing extremely well right now.Thats one reason why Tigers tight end Colin Jeter foreshadows the latest edition of Alabama-LSU this way: Its going to be a juggernaut battle and basically a street-fight game.Here are some of the main story lines heading to the 81st meeting of the Crimson Tide and Tigers since 1895:DOMINANT DEFENSESAlabamas defense is ranked fourth nationally in yards allowed (274.5 per game). The Tide has forced 16 turnovers in eight games -- eight fumble recoveries and eight interceptions -- and made 64 tackles for losses with 32 sacks.Orgeron said Alabama fields obviously the best defense weve seen -- might be one of the best defenses in college football history.LSU allowed just eight TDs this season, and no more than two in a single game. Saban expressed admiration for how first-year LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has harnessed his talent.Everybody doing their job and being sound and disciplined in what they do is what makes then really good, because they have really good players, Saban said. LSU is a really, really quality defensive team.HURTS ON ROAD: Tide freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has had some mistakes in previous road games but bounced back strong. Now, he enters earth-trembling-loud Death Valley for the first time. Hurts has accounted for eight touchdowns rushing and passing in three SEC road games, while topping 100 rushing yards twice.FORMIDABLE FOURNETTE: Because of a nagging left ankle injury, Fournette has played only once since Orgeron took over. That was in LSU previous game two weeks ago against Ole Miss, when Fournette vaulted himself back into Heisman consideration by setting and LSU single-game rushing record with 284 yards. He did so on just 16 carries, averaging 17.8 yards per carry.Hes just a genetic freak and certainly great to have him on your team, Jeter said. He brings that power to the game and brings confidence to all of us.REPLACING JACKSON: This is Alabamas first game since safety/punt returner Eddie Jackson was lost for the season to a broken leg. Cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick has been working at the safety spot, though Saban hasnt publicly declared him the fill-in starter. Xavian Marks has returned a punt for a touchdown while freshman Trevon Diggs and Calvin Ridley have both taken turns fielding punts. Jackson had already scored on two punt returns and an interception return.SABANS RETURN: Having won a national title at LSU in the 2003 season, Sabans return to Baton Rouge as a rival coach has become a major component to this rivalry. Since leaving the NFL for `Bama in 2007, Saban is 7-3 vs. LSU, with the Tigers winning in 2007, 2010 and 2011.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org---AP Sports Writer John Zenor in Tuscaloosa, Alabama contributed to this report. Nike Air Pippen Sale . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. Nike Just Do It Shoes Sale . 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LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Brock Gardner scored 18 points, Myo Baxter-Bell scored 16, grabbed 11 rebounds and made five assists, and Liberty never trailed in defeating Division III Clarks Summit 81-33 on Friday night to end a three-game skid.The Flames (5-6) shot 53.4 percent (31 of 58) from the floor and held the Defenders to 21.6 percent (11 of 51) despite losing leading scorer and rebounder Caleb Homesley to a season-ending injury against Princeton last Saturday.John Dawson scored 14 points with seven rebounds and Libberty outrebounded Clarks Summit 43-27, outscored them 38-6 in the paint and 13-0 on fast-break points.ddddddddddddLeading 32-21 at halftime, Liberty opened the second half with a 14-0 run in which Baxter-Bell scored seven points. The Defenders were scoreless for nearly seven minutes and Liberty cruised.Dontier Phelps led Clarks Summit with 15 points and freshman Kyron Jones added 12. ' ' '