linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis --

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Southeastern Conferences two stingiest defenses will take the field in the league championship game.Thats no coincidence.No. 1 Alabama has kept its end zone off-limits for more than a month and been practically impenetrable to running backs. No. 15 Florida has only given up a few more points per game and flummoxed opposing quarterbacks.With defenses like that, it doesnt matter so much that neither team so far has a 1,000-yard rusher and their passing games have been statistically middle-of-the-pack. Both defenses feature highly rated NFL prospects like the Tides Jonathan Allen and the Gators Jalen Tabor.Its kind of like a minor league NFL game, Florida quarterback Austin Appleby said. Theres going to be first-rounders and NFL players all over the field. This is what its all about in the SEC.The Tide hasnt allowed a touchdown in 13-plus quarters, dating all the way back to October 22 against Texas A&M.A star-studded group led by defensive end Allen, linebacker Reuben Foster and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick leads the nation in limiting scoring (11.4 points per game), rushing (68.7 yards) and total defense (246.8 yards). Alabamas numbers in all three categories are significantly better than last seasons national championship team.Its certainly the most opportunistic defense nationally, having allowed 12 touchdowns and scored nine .I feel like were the best, but we have to go out there and prove it every week, Allen said. We have the mentality we have to go out there and suffocate and dominate the offense we go against.Its worked well so far.Allen and Foster are two of five finalists for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy given to the nations top defensive player. Allen has even drawn some buzz as a Heisman Trophy contender with two defensive touchdowns and seven sacks.Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamiltons response when asked which Tide defender hed nominate for such an award: The defense.I would take all 11 guys because, I mean, when all 11 guys do their job and get a win thats what matters the most, Hamilton said.Floridas defense has been afflicted with injuries to key players, including defensive linemen Bryan Cox Jr. and Jordan Sherit, safety Marcus Maye and linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis -- all expected to miss the game.Led by cornerbacks Tabor and Quincy Wilson, the Gators still rank among the nations best in pass defense (third), scoring (fifth) and total yards allowed (sixth).Floridas defense has remained formidable but the injuries have taken a toll, including in last weekends 31-13 loss to Florida State. At their best, the Gators allowed 43 rushing yards to South Carolina, 149 total yards to Kentucky and a paltry 53 total yards against North Texas. They also held LSU, which Alabama shut out, to 10 points.An Alabama offense led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, tailback Damien Harris and wide receiver ArDarius Stewart poses a bigger challenge.Tide tight end O.J. Howard remembered the challenge of facing Florida in last seasons SEC championship, which Alabama won 29-15.The same offense went on to score 38 points against Michigan in the playoff semifinals and 45 in the title game against Clemson. Howard called the Gators fast, explosive, very productive.Those guys are the best defense we played last year overall, honestly, he said. I think theyve got a couple of guys banged up this season, but that defense is one of the best defenses we will face since LSU.The Tigers held Alabama to season-lows of 10 points and 323 yards.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Ecco Shoes Clearance Sale . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. Ecco Sale Ireland . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. http://www.eccosaleireland.com/ . "Four now," Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report proudly following a 5-2 victory over New York on Tuesday night, the clubs fifth straight at home. Cheap Ecco Shoes Online . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Ecco Shoes Online Ireland . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. Edinburgh snuck past Harlequins 36-35 in a thrilling encounter at Murrayfield.The Scottish side?ran in five first-half tries to take a 31-14 lead at the break. A Harlequins fight back saw them go ahead before a Tom Brown effort in the 73rd minute clinched the win for Edinburgh.Jonny May was among the try scorers for Gloucester as they ran out 30-8 winners over Benetton Treviso at Kingsholm. The winger made his first appearance since December after a long injury layoff.Lewis Ludlow, Matt Scott and Callum Braley also crossed for the home side as they join La Rochelle at the top of pool 1.Brive edged Worcester Warriors 25-24 at Sixways. Tries from?Takudzwa Ngwenya,?Said Hireche and?Thomas Acquier clinched the win for the home side, while Ben Teo and Andy Short crossed for Worcester.?Russian side Enisei-STM claimed a second British scalp in eight days, with a bonus-point 38-18?home?win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.Enisei-STM last Saturday defeated Worcester Warriors 19-12, but this win takes them top of Pool Three at least until the next round in December.Hooker Stanislav Selskii scored a brace of tries and there were also toouchdowns for Iuri Kushnarev, Dmitrii Gerasimov and substitute Valery Mrozov at the Trud Stadium in Tomsk - more than 4,200 miles from Newport.ddddddddddddNewport, who trailed 17-12 at the break, scored two tries through backs Pat Howard and Sam Beard.In the evening kick-off, teenage Ospreys winger Keelan Giles enjoyed another European night to remember as he scored a hat-trick of tries in a 31-13 win in Lyon.The 18-year-old notched twice as Ospreys thrashed Newcastle 45-0 in their competition debut last time out and he was back among the tries again on Saturday, going over for converted scores in the 14th, 29th and 45th minutes.Replacement Sam Parry added a fourth try late on -- fly-half Sam Davies again slotting over the extras for a personal haul of 11 points with the boot -- as Ospreys made it back-to-back wins in Pool Two.The Welsh side now boast a five-point lead over Lyon at the top of the group after inflicting a first defeat on the French outfit, who scored second-half tries through Curtis Browning and Franck Romanet. 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