There is always some level of intrigue surrounding the game ESPNCollege GameDay chooses to highlight, but it simply doesn't get much bigger than an SEC clash between LSU and Alabama, especially considering how much success each team has enjoyed so far this season.On the heels of the initial College Football Playoff rankings release, the Tigers are No. 2, while the Crimson Tide are No. 4. The winner of Saturday's contest figures to receive a boost in the rankings, while the loser will almost certainly drop out of the Top Four.Saturday's game may very well be a must-win scenario for both LSU and Alabama, making it perhaps the most important tilt of the season to this point.With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about LSU vs. Alabama, as well as the ESPN College GameDay show that will precede it.Where:Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AlabamaWhen:Saturday, Nov. 7ESPN College GameDay Week 10 ScheduleLSU Player to Watch: Leonard FournetteWith an average of 193 rushing yards per game and 15 total touchdowns, LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette is not only the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, but also the biggest key to the Tigers' success against Alabama.No team has proven capable of slowing down Fournette this season, although the Crimson Tide managed to hold him in check in 2014 to the tune of 21 carries for 79 yards.The Fournette of last year and the Fournette of 2015 are like night and day, however, which means Alabama's defense will have to perform at an entirely different level.The Tide have been up to the taskagainst the run this season, but as pointed out by Cole Cubelic of Alabama Media Group, something has to give when they go up against Fournette:Essentially every college football observer is well aware of what Alabama is up against, and head coach Nick Saban is no exception.Saban and the Crimson Tide recruited Fournette heavily out of high school, so the legendary coach isn't at all surprised that he has become so good in such a short amount of time, per Jim Kleinpeter of NOLA.com:We thought he was absolutely one of the best running backs we'd ever seen. He certainly hasn't done anything to disappoint us in terms of what he's been able to accomplish as a college player. We think he's a phenomenal player, maybe one of the most dominant guys in the country relative to what he does.It is no secret that the Tigers lean heavily on Fournette since there are still questions about quarterback Brandon Harris, as well as a defense that has been good, but not dominant.LSU doesn't stand much of a chance in Saturday's game on the road unless Fournettehas another big night, so look for the Tigers to feed him early and often.Alabama Player to Watch: Derrick HenryIt is easy for running backs to get overshadowed by Fournette due to the year he is having, but there is nothing second-rate about what Alabama running back Derrick Henry has accomplished in 2015.His numbers aren't quite at the same level as Fournette's, but he has rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns in just eight games and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry.Henry is a monster physically at 6'3" and 242 pounds, and he is the safest bet in the nation to score a touchdown on a week-to-week basis, as evidenced by this note, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info:Like LSU, Alabama hasn't gotten consistent quarterback play out of Jacob Coker. That has forced Henry and the defense to carry the load, and with the exception of one loss to Ole Miss, they have undoubtedly held up their end of the bargain.Henry is seemingly the personification of what Alabama football has become under Saban. He is fast, powerful, tough and gritty, which are all qualities that happen to describe Fournette as well.Fournette may run harder than any back in the country, but even he admits that he might think twice about tackling Henry if put in such a situation, according to NCAA.com's Brett Martel."If I played defense, I wouldn't want to tackle him," Fournette said. "But that's your job to tackle him, so you have to make a business decision every time you go against him."While Henry is recognized as one of the top running backs in the nation, he may very well enter Saturday night's game with a chip on his shoulder since his Heisman candidacy isn't getting talked about much due to the exploits of Fournette.The ultimate goal for Henry and Alabama is winning the game and preserving a spot in the CFP, but if Henry can outshine Fournette in the process, then the Heisman Trophy race may take on an entirely different look.PredictionIt has been four years since LSU last beat Alabama, and the Crimson Tide will be favored at home, but the Tigers have what it takes to finally end their drought against Bama.Two of the past three meetings between the teams were decided by one score, including last year's 20-13 overtime encounter. The Tigers have been close and unable to break through, but now they have the great equalizer in the form of Fournette.In addition to Fournette's remarkable running ability, LSU's offensive line has opened up huge holes all season long, which is something the Alabama defensive front hasn't encountered much to this point.The quarterback battle will also play a role with Harris going up against Coker. Neither player has been asked to go out and win a game on his own, but Harris possesses a skill set that is more likely to lead to success Saturday due to his mobility.Executing long drives and keeping the opposition's defense on the field for extended periods of time will be key. Both teams have the ability to do that, but look for Fournette and LSU to come out on top in that battle and the game as a whole with a 27-24 upset.Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
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