Points will be precious in LSU-Alabama showdown

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- When they last met, Alabama vs. LSU was all about the Tide's Nick Saban coaching against a former team.

This year, there's more pressing business: remaining in the mix to play for the national title.

Two top 10 Southeastern Conference teams meet today, with a pair of formidable defenses and one Heisman Trophy candidate in a game that might be low on points, if not drama.

Yes, again.

The first such rendezvous this season resulted in one touchdown and a 13-3 victory by Tim Tebow and No.1 Florida over then-No.4 LSU.

Today's matchup between ninth-ranked LSU and No. 3 Alabama has all the makings of another defensive clash. And the stakes are at least as high.

It's enough to make swashbuckling LSU coach Les Miles look kindly upon the kicking game.

"If you punt it and go play defense, that's a good choice," Miles said. "There is nothing wrong with that."

Warm up those legs, P.J. Fitzgerald and Derek Helton. The way these defenses are playing, it could be a busy day for the punters.

Alabama (5-0 SEC, 8-0) allows the fifth-fewest points a game in the nation and has given up just one touchdown in its past three games.

LSU (4-1, 7-1) sports the No. 7 scoring defense, has given up 36 points in its past four games and is coming off a shutout of Tulane.

The game could determine who plays Florida in the SEC championship game. It definitely will be Alabama if the Tide wins. If the Tigers win, they clinch the rematch with wins against Mississippi and Arkansas.

"In a game like this, you go out on the field and whoever plays the hardest and whoever does the little things right the most consistently throughout the game, that's who will win the game," Tide linebacker Rolando McClain said. "You can't really focus on 'we've got to make this big play' or 'we've got to do this' or 'we've got to do that.' We have to focus on the game plan, perfect it and execute it."

Miles is impressed by an Alabama team led by McClain and nose guard Terrence Cody on defense and relentless runner Mark Ingram -- widely considered a Heisman candidate -- on offense. His assessment: "There are no weaknesses."