Power from powers

Today’s LSU-Alabama showdown at Tascaloosa, Ala., promises to be a throwback of old-school football. Both the top-ranked and barely-tested Tigers, and No. 2 and mostly unchallenged Alabama are built on power runs and run-stuffing defenses in a time when spread offenses are en vogue and huddles are optional. “If you want to see 1970s smashmouth,” Alabama tight end Michael Williams said, “then this is what you want to see right here.” The vintage strategies make this one reminiscent of an old Oklahoma-Nebraska or Alabama-Penn State clash. But neither Alabama’s Nick Saban nor LSU’s Les Miles (pictured right) is bringing the wishbone back in fashion. Hitting, and hitting hard, is certainly allowed – even mandatory. – AP