Baton Rouge, LA -- (Sports Network) - The nation's top-ranked team travels to Baton Rouge this weekend, as the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts to remain undefeated in an SEC clash with 15th-ranked LSU.

Alabama is fresh off its first shutout since 2005, a 35-0 thrashing of non- conference foe Arkansas State. The Tide, who are now 9-0, have seven double- digit victories this season. They earned the top spot in the most recent AP poll after a loss by previously unbeaten Texas to Texas Tech. If 'Bama is able to knock off the Tigers, the team will have an outstanding chance of entering the SEC title game undefeated.

As for LSU, it enters this contest with a 6-2 overall record and a 3-2 league mark. The team is fresh off a 35-10 romp over non-league foe Tulane and is now set to host a top-ranked team for the first time since 1997 when the program beat Florida.

Alabama owns a commanding 43-23-5 series advantage over LSU, but the Tigers earned a hard-fought 41-34 victory in last season's meeting. LSU has a five- game win streak in the series.

Alabama is averaging 32.2 ppg and 369.0 ypg this season, and there is no doubt that the ground attack is the key to the offense's success. The Tide are rushing for 205.3 ypg on an average of 5.0 ypc, and 22 of the 30 offensive touchdowns scored have come via the run. Glen Coffee has rushed for 894 yards and seven touchdowns, while Mark Ingram has posted 533 yards and eight rushing scores. Both players were banged up last week, but both are expected to be ready to go against LSU. John Parker Wilson is the starting quarterback for the Tide, and he has completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns against only four interceptions. His top target is a true freshman, Julio Jones, who has 33 catches for 506 yards and four scores.

Against Arkansas State, Ingram scored two rushing touchdowns, while Coffee and Roy Upchurch also reached the end zone on the ground. "He's a great runner and a really smart kid," said Wilson of Ingram after the game. "He understands the game really well." Alabama posted 205 rushing yards and made good on 8-of-13 third down conversion attempts.

The fact that Alabama is only yielding 12.2 ppg and 251.4 total ypg despite the strength of the SEC schedule is quite impressive. Running the ball with success against the Tide has proven to be nearly impossible, as foes are gaining a mere 65.6 ypg on 2.6 yards per attempt. The fact that 'Bama has allowed one rushing touchdown in 36 quarters of football speaks to the quality of the defensive front. While opponents have thrown 10 touchdowns against Alabama, the Tide has 11 interceptions to its credit and is allowing fewer than 10 yards per completion. Rashad Johnson does it all for the defense, as he is tied for the lead in tackles (58) and tops in passes defenses (12) while also boasting a pair of interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble.

Last weekend, Johnson intercepted a pass against Arkansas State and raced 32 yards for a touchdown. "That was a big play in the game because we were struggling a little bit there at the time only leading 7-0, so it worked out well for us," said coach Nick Saban. The Tide limited their overmatched opponents to 158 total yards, including just 61 yards through the air.

"Whenever you win you have to feel good about it," said LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee after last week's victory over Tulane. "We had some mistakes, but that's something we're going to work on this week in practice leading up to a big game next weekend against Alabama." Lee only completed 8-of-20 passes for 99 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and the first-year starter was also sacked twice. Fortunately, LSU found success with its running game, which accounted for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Charles Scott led the way as usual, as he racked up 114 yards and a score on just 12 attempts before leaving the game with an ankle injury.

LSU is averaging 32.5 ppg this season to go along with 402.5 total ypg. Scott has rushed for 889 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging a stellar 6.7 ypc, and he is expected to play this weekend. As for Lee, who has started five games, he has passed for 1,427 yards and 12 touchdowns. On a down note, his 56.1 percent completion rating is a bit low, while his 10 interceptions are a bit high.

The LSU defense took care of business against Tulane last week, limiting the Green Wave to 11 first downs and 163 total yards. It should be pointed out that the only touchdown scored by Tulane came on an interception return in the fourth quarter. LSU was strong against the run and the pass, and a similar effort will be needed on Saturday. The defense is eager to get on the field this weekend and battle Alabama. "If you can't get motivated for that game then you can't get motivated," said safety Harry Coleman after last week's win. "We're looking forward to next week."

The Tigers are allowing 23.9 ppg this season, a figure that is much higher than most expected. Still, they are only permitting 297.2 total ypg, so the defense is still somewhat formidable. The play against the run has been better than the pass defense, and it will be interesting to see if 'Bama attempts to air it out a bit more than usual this weekend. Coleman leads the team with 47 total tackles.