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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. New Orleans Saints Store .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Wholesale Saints Jerseys . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. https://www.saintsjerseyssale.com/ . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Cheap Saints Jerseys . 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. Custom New Orleans Saints Jerseys . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- After three years in the NHLs basement, the Buffalo Sabres planned on turning the corner this season. That plan got a whole lot tougher one day before Buffalos season opener when budding superstar Jack Eichel suffered a severe ankle injury.The injury occurred at Buffalos final practice before its opener against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m., Thursday). Late in the practice session, Eichel awkwardly fell to the ice after tangling with teammate Zemgus Girgensons. He screamed in pain and was helped off the ice by his teammates.The Sabres announced that Eichel suffered a high ankle sprain -- which means he could miss 1-2 months.He has an ankle injury and at this point not a lot to tell after that, Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma said, according to NHL.com. Hes going to get evaluated this afternoon. Initially he goes down in a lot of pain obviously and I think the initial shock of it is you see that, but were going to let it calm down here and get evaluated and see the extent of him turning his ankle there.The second overall pick in the 2015 draft, Eichel became an instant sensation in Buffalo and led the Sabres in goals as a rookie with 24.Eichel isnt the only key member of the Sabres to begin the year on the infirmary list. Free-agent addition Kyle Okposo will miss the opener with a knee injury, and center Ryan OReillys status is up in the air due to a back injury.One positive for the Sabres is the return of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen returned after signing a six-year deal with the Sabres on Thursday. Goalie Robin Lehner is also in much better shape after a promising but injury-plagued season one year ago; Lehnner lost more than 20 pounds in preparation for the upcoming season.ddddddddddddThe Canadiens, meanwhile, will be without their star goaltender for the season opener. Carey Price will not make the trip to Buffalo due to an illness. The Canadiens are counting on Price to return as the backbone of their team; Montreals season fell apart last year after Price was lost for the season due to a knee injury.Unfortunately, he caught the flu and everyone reacts differently to medicine, Ottawa head coach Michel Therrien said, according to NHL.com He caught a nasty bug, as were seeing now. Hes day-to-day. Theres a chance hell join the team in Ottawa on Friday, but hell have to be healthy. Its too bad, but theres nothing we can do about it.Thats hockey. There will be setbacks. We all would have liked for Carey to be between the pipes for the first game. Not only us, but our fans too. Its just going to be a matter of time now.Al Montoya is expected to start between the pipes for Montreal in his first game for the Canadiens. Hell be backed up by Charlie Lindgren.It will be the Montreal debut for defenseman Shea Weber, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade for P.K. Subban this offseason. Weber, 31, spent his first 10 seasons with the Nashville Predators. Gritty forward Andrew Shaw will also make his Montreal debut after spending his entire career with the Chicago Blackhawks.The Canadiens also added Russian forward Alexander Radulov, who has spent most of his career in the KHL after brief spells with the Nashville Predators. ' ' '