College football fans will be essentially seeing a preview of the college football playoff this weekend with an 8 o’clock matchup between #2 LSU and #4Alabama.  7-1 Alabama controversially jumped multiple undefeated teams in the rankings this week meaning they need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The winner of this pivotal matchup will most likely take the number one ranking while the loser will probably be on the outside looking in.

Center stage will be the battle between sophomore running back sensation Leonard Fournette, and the rock-solid Alabama defense. Fournette has rushed for more than 150 yards in seven straight games and a big win Saturday night will most likely make him a shoe in for the Heisman Trophy.

On the other side, the Crimson Tide defense ranks first in the FBS in terms of defensive efficiency and third in terms of rushing yards allowed. In addition, a Nick Saban coached Alabama defense has only allowed 150 rushing yards three times since Saban took over in 2007. The Alabama front three is by far the best in the nation and in recent history. The Alabama defense and the LSU offense are both led by their front lines, who are among the best in college football. Whoever wins the battle in the trenches will most likely end up winning the game.

The Crimson Tide defense will be looking to end Fournette’s rushing streak, as well as trying to fluster LSU quarterback, Brandon Harris, who has yet to throw an interception all season in 128 attempts. Harris’ streak leads the nation, while Alabama quarterback Jake Coker has not been so efficient in that area, throwing seven interceptions so far this season.

After Fournette seized the spotlight, Alabama running back Derrick Henry has been pushed aside as the best running back in the South Eastern Conference. Henry, who is second in the SEC in terms of yards and touchdowns, can steal back the attention with a dominating performance in this matchup. The 240-pound junior has rushed for a touchdown in 13 straight games, a school record.

Prediction: LSU by 3

Alabama has struggled this year when teams load up the box and force them to throw it. When the Crimson Tide played Tennessee earlier this year, Tennessee took Henry out of the game and the Alabama offense couldn’t produce.

Alabama just barely squeaked by with a win in that matchup, and against LSU’s 6^th ranked run defense the Tide’s running game will struggle. Because of Coker’s interception problem, expect LSU’s solid defensive backfield, look for him to force throws and turn the ball over. LSU should not have this problem. The Tigers are tied with Florida State with the best turnover percentage in the country. Brandon Harris and Leonard Fournette will hold on to the ball and do just enough to defeat Alabama in Tuscaloosa.