SEC Championship 2015: Florida vs. Alabama Preview, Score Prediction

The Alabama Crimson Tide appear to be rolling to a second consecutive berth in the College Football Playoff. All that can deny coach Nick Saban's powerhouse from securing a spot in the Top Four is a stumble in the SEC Championship Game against the Florida Gators.

Florida did lose 27-2 to archrival Florida State on Saturday at The Swamp, but the Gators had already locked up the SEC East title. It's a matter of the Gators bouncing back and embracing their spoiler role against Alabama, who defeated Auburn in the Iron Bowl 29-13 to close out the regular season.

Check out the basic game information below, followed by a preview and final-score prediction for next Saturday's contest.

Matchup	Date	Time (ET)	Location	TV
Florida vs. Alabama	Saturday, Dec. 5	4 p.m.	Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Georgia)	CBS

Florida vs. Alabama Preview

Tide running back Derrick Henry may well have locked up the Heisman Trophy with a 46-carry, 271-yard rushing performance versus Auburn.

Saban's remark after the game, per Rick Karle of FOX6, showed how determined the bruising ball-carrier was to deliver the goods:

But the question will be whether Henry can turn around and put forth a similar extraordinary effort to boost Alabama into the College Football Playoff. That's a lot of wear and tear even for a massive player like Henry to absorb.

The Gators will do all they can to key in on Henry and force Jake Coker to beat a magnificent Florida secondary with his arm. Based on the personnel the underdogs have in the secondary, Alabama isn't the worst matchup for coach Jim McElwain's bunch on paper.

Entering Saturday's action, Alabama and Florida ranked third and sixth respectively in total defense (h/t NCAA.com). Linebacker Reggie Ragland leads a stout Tide front seven the Gators may be hard-pressed to run on, while the Florida defensive backfield features a surefire first-round NFL draft pick in cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III.

Michael DiRocco of ESPN alluded to Florida's ineptitude on offense in its loss to the Seminoles and how starting quarterback Will Grier's suspension ultimately doomed the team:

As was announced by the Gators' official team Twitter account, star receiver Demarcus Robinson was suspended for the Florida State game. That largely limited what Florida could do in the passing game. Having Robinson back against the Tide may be the spark they need to mount an upset bid.

Much of the Gators' hopes rest on signal-caller Treon Harris, who had an awful outing versus FSU and figures to have an even stiffer test against the Tide.

Although Alabama's defense has struggled with dual-threat QBs in the past, Harris doesn't have the type of consistent accuracy to keep the Tide honest as a passer.

Even if Henry is a bit gassed from his heavy workload in the Iron Bowl, the Tide can turn to Kenyan Drake or Damien Harris to give their Heisman hopeful a break. Coker has proven fully capable of running the show as he's settled in under center throughout the year.

Provided Alabama can limit Robinson's impact and force Harris into obvious passing situations, it should have little trouble disposing of the outmatched Gators at the Georgia Dome. Saturday figures to be yet another demonstration of the giant Saban has constructed in Tuscaloosa as the Tide ensures a spot in the CFP picture with a convincing win.

Prediction: Alabama 34, Florida 10