Tide defenders ready to let play on the field do their talking against LSU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Sometimes the build to a big game can last too long, and players eventually get tired of being asked about the same matchups over and over again.

That's been the case with Alabama's players and LSU's Leonard Fournette. The Crimson Tide's players clearly respect Fournette, but they were over the talk about the sophomore running back.

"He's a good player. Definitely a physical back, but at the same time, he's a player as well," Jonathan Allen said Wednesday. "So we're going to go out there and do what we've done every week. We're not going to put a special emphasis on him or any special game plan in. He's a running back. We wrap up and run to the ball and we'll be successful."

The two sides will settle it on the field Saturday when No. 2-ranked LSU travels to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with No. 4 Alabama in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on CBS. Alabama has won four straight in the series.

While Allen's word may come off as downplaying Fournette's abilities, don't take them as disrespect. After a two weeks (including the bye), Alabama's players are just fired up to play the game.

This contest has been all anyone in Tuscaloosa can talk about. Students and even professors who the players run into bring it up, said Tide defensive lineman Jarran Reed.

Even a routine trip to Publix grocery store wasn't free of football talk for Reed.

"(It was) annoying," Reed said with a smile. "I wasn't rude about it or anything, but I'm just trying to get my groceries."

While both Reed and Allen tried to avoid them, the questions kept coming back to Fournette and LSU's rushing attack.

During his appearance on SportsCenter, Allen said he enjoys playing against "angry" running backs who seek out contact.

But why though?

"Because it makes me angry. So we love that," Allen said. "Especially with the D-line and the front seven of the defense we play for, we love this. We love physical backs."

Fournette leads the nation in rushing yards (1,352), yards per game (193.14) and is second in the country with 15 touchdowns despite having one less game with LSU having to cancel its opener due to weather.

LSU's rush offense is No. 1 in SEC and No. 4 in nation with 309.14 yards per game. The Tigers average 6.66 yards per carry.

But Alabama fields what some would describe as a formidable rush defense, allowing 78.5 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry. That's No. 1 in SEC and No. 4 in nation.

Fournette is known for delivering punishing hits to defenders that wind up on highlight reels.

"We don't get hit. We hit them," Allen said. "I mean, that's how it is. We don't take the hits. We give the hits. So we're not worried about that."

Added Reed, "That was other teams. I don't think we're gonna allow ourselves to even let him do that. So I mean, he can talk, do all that, run however he wants to run, we're gonna play our game at the end of the day."

-- Contact Anniston Star Sports Writer Marq Burnett at mburnett@annistonstar.com. On Twitter:@Marq_Burnett.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 7:53 PM with the headline "Tide defenders ready to let play on the field do their talking against LSU ."