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. Cheap Nike Dunk Shoes Authentic .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Wholesale Nike Dunk Shoes . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.cheapnikedunk.com/ . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. Cheap Nike Dunk Shoes China . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. Cheap Nike Dunk Shoes Free Shipping . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. MINNEAPOLIS -- Dupree McBrayer scored 21 points and Nate Mason added 19 points and seven assists for the Minnesota Gophers, who pulled away late to beat LIU Brooklyn 76-66 on Wednesday night.Jordan Murphy added 13 points for Minnesota (11-1) as the Gophers won their fifth straight game. Eric Curry had 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds off the bench as Minnesota used its size advantage to outscore the Blackbirds 38-20 in the paint.At the end of last season both of us put in our minds that we were going to come back better players than ever, Mason said McBrayer and himself. We definitely put in the work, put in the work together sometimes. It is good to see both of us excelling.Trailing by 14 at halftime, LIU Brooklyn scored the first 12 points of the second half while connecting on four 3-pointers. But two points was as close as the Blackbirds would get, despite hitting seven 3s in the second half.Were a pretty-efficient 3-point shooting team, LIU Brooklyn coach Jack Perri said. We dont usually take a lot. We know how good -- theyre holding teams to 26 percent from 3 on the year. So, we said take the right ones and I thought, for the most part, we did.Iverson Fleming had 24 points for the Blackbirds (7-4), who were coming off a win against St. Johns. Nura Zanna had 10 points and 10 rebounds.BIG PICTURELIU Brooklyn: Against a team with a significant height advantage, the Blackbirds continued to outrebound their opponent. LIU Brooklyn entered the game with a plus-4.6 rebounding margin. The Blackbirds finished with a 38-32 edge in rebounding against the Gophers on Wednesday.Minnesota: Mason is the expected leader and steadying influence as a junior point guard and the most-experienced player on the team. Mason is bringing more than leadership, though. Hes developed an outside shot. Mason hit four 3s for the third time in four games. He had four or morre 3-pointers just twice in his first 71 games.ddddddddddddOUT OF COFFEYThe Gophers were missing freshman guard Amir Coffey, who is second on the team with 12.4 points per game. Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said Coffey is dealing with turf toe. Coffey warmed up before the game but the decision was made to sit him out.We were not sure, Pitino said of Coffeys status. I said, `Just warm up and if youre in pain, we wont play you. So we probably made that decision a couple minutes before the game. Everybody had to adjust a little bit.Senior transfer Akeem Springs made his first start for the Gophers and had eight points and five assists.REUNITEDPitino was reunited with one of his first recruits. Jerome Frink is a senior for LIU Brooklyn after transferring from Florida International, where Pitino recruited him out of St. Anthony High School in New Jersey.Jerome was the first guy I went and did an in-home visit, Pitino said. It was my first in-home visit as a head coach, not really knowing what the heck I was doing . Im proud of him. I always thought hed be a pretty good player and he showed that. I think hell be one of the better players in their league.Frink had 13 points on Wednesday against Minnesota and he entered the game leading the Blackbirds with 17.3 points per game.UP NEXTLIU Brooklyn: The Blackbirds host winless Dartmouth on Dec. 18, playing a game on their home court at the Steinberg Wellness Center for the first time since a season-opening win against John Jay.Minnesota: The Gophers have a long break before hosting Arkansas State on Dec. 23. The final game before Big Ten play isnt an easy one as Red Wolves entered Wednesday 27th in the nation in the Ratings Percentage Index and defeated Georgetown earlier this season. ' ' '