Mark Schlabach, in his most recent column for ESPN.com's college football section, lays out an argument for why Alabama will beat Florida in the upcoming SEC Championship Game.
Let's walk through some of these rationales, one by one, and dispel them for the myths they are.
"Alabama has the necessary ingredients—a stifling, physical defense and a punishing, ball-control offense—to slow the Gators down."
1) Stifling Defense? Yes. Alabama has held its opponents to 15 touchdowns this year, allowing an average of only 248.5 yards per game. That is pretty impressive.
However, their opponents aren't exactly offensive juggernauts. In fact, besides Georgia and possibly Ole Miss, the Tide really haven't played anyone who has a legitimate offense all season.
The Gators have a legitimate offense. Teams that have been suggested as having GREAT SEC defenses (LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, to name a few) have been gashed for 51, 49, and 56 points, and 475, 398, and 519 yards, respectively. All three of these teams went into their games with the Gators ballyhooed as having great defenses. All three got smacked in the mouth.
2) Punishing, Ball-Control Offense? Yes. Alabama has a huge offensive line, two good backs, a competent QB and what seems like only one legitimate threat at wide-out. With Saban as the coach, it is a no-brainer that they run the ball all the time and very well. With close to 2500 yards on the ground (2418) and 30 rushing touchdowns, it would be my guess that Saban will pound the rock all night, to keep the Gators offense on the sideline and keep the clock running.
The Gators have a quietly GREAT defense. Opponents have averaged 12.25 points per game, to the Gators' six trillion. Very good offenses have looked VERY mediocre against this crew. If the Tide want to run the ball all night, they will have to outrun one of the fastest linebacking group in the country. When they find that they are down a couple of scores (which I think will be midway through the 2nd quarter), they will try to throw. And the Gator secondary will eat JP Wilson alive like he was JP Losman throwing on the Patriots.
3) "With Cody healthy again, Alabama's defense should have more than enough to slow the Gators down."
An interior lineman is going to slow down the Gator running backs? C'mon, Mark, that just doesn't make any sense. Sure, we may try and slip a few runs up the gut. But the most reasonable assumption is bouncing these track stars to the outside. Or better yet, let Tebow do some play-action to himself, then sidestep Mr. Cody on his way into the secondary. It would be fun to see Cody try and track down Demps or Rainey. They would have time to resuscitate the spirit of The Bear on a Ouija Board by the time he caught up with them.
4) "It's hard to find many coaches who are better than Saban at preparing a game plan."
48 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jonny Solovy 7 months ago
I think Florida will most likely win but it's funny that an SEC/Gator fan is ridiculing the SEC offenses... FINALLY an SEC fan can admit the SEC is way down this year. There are two GREAT teams in the SEC and Georgia/Ole Miss are above average/solid teams... everyone else is weak this year. Although UF killed FSU... FSU did move the ball on UF pretty easily but never could get it in the end zone... they kicked a ton of field goals and nearly every time down they drove to UF's side... I wouldn't call FSU's offensive line good... all freshman and sophomore! I don't think John Parker Wilson is very good and I think UF will win because of his lack of consistent QB play...
That "great" SEC defensive teams you referred to just gave up 31 to Arkansas (LSU), just gave up 31 to a sad Clemson team (South Carolina) and 45 to Georgia Tech (UGA). Those were also three of the mot overrated and hyped teams all year. LSU struggled with Mississippi state earlier this year!
I hate Saban but he is great coach... I hate Meyer but he is a great coach... two of the most disliked coaches in college but two great coaches, definitely will be interesting.
Great article in response to Schlabach Colin! ... he is a SEC homer (which isn't unusual) but he always is in love with Bama, LSU, or Georgia... he is a true south guy so thats all he notices. My prediction. UF 33 Bama 21
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
FSU did not move the ball easily on Florida.
Check the stats: 242 total yards (well below their season average).
FSU benefitted from a kick return that gave them the ball on the 25 yard line (where UF promptly forced them to kick a field goal) and from a fumble recovery on the 15 yard line (where UF promptly forced another field goal.
FSU was 3 of 14 on third down (21%) and 0 for 2 on fourth down. FSU's QBs combined were 10 of 32 passing (31 % completion percentage) with 3 interceptions. FSU averaged 4.4 yards per pass attempt (which is awful) and a meager 3.3 yards per rush.
FSU's only touchdown came well after the game was out of hand.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Thanks for the read Jonny,
The SEC is a LITTLE down this year. I think GA, LSU and USC were a little dissapointing. Having said that, I think this is the best UF team in program history, and Bama is looking pretty good themselves. The conference may only have 2 heavyweights, but they can swing....
FSU did not move the ball that well. FSU's first 3 field goals came as a result of REALLY short fields (I think avg of the Gator 25 or 30).
Arkansas is not that bad (Nutt is a hell of a coach). Clemson beat USC in a HUGE rivalry game (at least for the state of South Carolina) that was one of those "throw the records out for this one folks" games. And I think GT could be the best team in the ACC (not saying a lot, I guess, but certainly not a bad football team).
Being an SEC fan by blood myself, I can understand that you would be frustrated by the "homers". But trust me, you live in FLA now, head up to G-ville next season for a home game, and experience college football the way it was meant to be experienced. Trust me, you will never look at the Trojans and their wishy-washy fans the same way.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jonny Solovy 7 months ago
call it wish washy if you want but we love usc as much as any southern person loves their team.. the difference is west coast people are a hell of a lot more open minded and willing to admit when things are going well like when the pac 10 is down.. but southern folks are obsessed with football and make it personal, close minded... trust me on that i have lived in several states and cities, west, east and south... west coast people are more laid back and when our team struggles and lose a game we're upset of course but we don't go nuts and obsess over it.... call that wish washy we call it healthy...
i have no issues with sec fans as long as they give other teams credit unfortunately most to all sec fans i have come across don't do that.... i was at the fsu uf game last wknd and i have to say i have never experienced such rude and basically cruel/cocky people thn the gator fans. i have several uf friends and they even admit the fans are horrible... personally i would rather have laid back fans thata re classy than obsessed nut fans who pushed fsu girls out of their way... yes uf guys pushed girls for no reason. this was before the game and i will admit uf killed fsu in every facet but it was sickening how the fans acted. Not calling you one of those colin, but in general uf fans are horrid, sorry... i read some of your other articles too, good stuff dude
Edit Comment Cancel
Lou Vozza 7 months ago
Good response.
I have to warn though, that it is never profitable to bet on flashy offenses against solid defenses in title games.
Having said that, I favor the Gators for 3 reasons:
1) you are correct, the Gators defense is underrated and under the radar. I think they will come in pumped up listening to all the talking head talking up Bama's defense.
2) Florida's special teams will be the difference. Florida's get a lead and thing's over.
3) The best player on the field - by a mile - happens to be Fla's QB. Tebow will make the big play when they need it most. He's just one of those guys.
I don't know about a 10 point spread. I don't see the offense exploding, but I think it will be an easy win for the Gators.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
I don't know, Lou. There have been a LOT of defenses that have been hyped before playing the Gators this season. They have all been whipped. And judging from the teams that the Tide have played and beaten, I am not as sure about their defense being as good as advertised. Thanks for read, and Go Gators.
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Colin,
I heard the Gator coaches are making Demps and Rainey run directly into the grill of a mack truck during practice this week to prepare them for running over Cody during the game. ;-)
When I read #3 in Schlabach's article I thought these four things:
"Damn Cody must be a lot faster than I thought".
"If only the Gators were running a Spread Option attack using multiple backs, receivers and a dual-threat QB combined with multiple formations, motion and lots of speed so as to make a defense defend the entire width and length of the field while also making a defense play 11 on 11 instead of 11 on 10 as with a drop-back passer and if only the offense was based around option and misdirection plays specifically designed to nullify a strong defensive line."
"Holy crap! We do run a Spread Option attack just like that one I described in the run-on sentence in my head."
"Mr. Cody, meet the Pouncey twins. Pouncey's, this is Mr. Cody".
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
GJ - you're definitely right about the spread. Of all of the defensive positions, a spread offensive best nullifies a dominant nose tackle.
Against a traditional QB-under-center offense, the nose tackle starts the play on top of the ball. The QB starts right in front of him and receives the ball less than a yard away from him. He can be extremely disruptive because he can affect the play in under a second. The nose tackle can get the right push and disrupt a play before it ever develops.
Against a shotgun-spread offense, the nose tackle will have 5 yards to run to meet the point where the QB receives the ball from center. He will have to great anticipation and gap integrity rather than just trying to bull his way in. He can also be easiler directed away from the mobile Tebow.
Also, Florida's Pouncey twins (guard and center) are two tough 312 lb dudes whose dad just lost his leg in a railcar accident. They'll be playing with a lot of fire and they are both NFL talents.
As GatorJon notes, the spread offense is designed to nullify dominant interior defensive linemen.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Ha, thats great! They could just substitute a couple of the 14' aligators down in Lake Alice; probably still couldn't catch those two.
Great point Jon. I think that has been one of the hidden reasons for the success of the spread in the SEC. Both Houston Nutt and Urban Meyer have reduced the effectiveness of the incredible D-lines that inhabit SEC teams. Without the classical need for a pass-rush, the big, nasty D-line men are reduced to spectators as the speedy backs and receivers dart by them. I think the success speaks for itself.
Edit Comment Cancel
Dermott Dessert 7 months ago
The difference between the Florida Gators before the loss to Mississippi and the team they are now is the addition of Rainey and Demps. Meyer did not use them because he thought they were too young and/ or inexperienced. What the final score of THAT game is anybody's guess. I believe Gators would have put up a monster number.
I think that Florida will win by 17.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Thanks for the read Dermott. I think that even if Harvin makes his way to "greener" pastures next year, the Gators will be doing quite will with those two speedsters in the backfield.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
Colin - nice analysis. I got a quesion or two in on Schlabach's chat today. Check the transcript. He gave short answers.
If both teams lined up in their power formations, I think Florida is actually the bigger/stronger team. As I've mentioned on BR, Florida has the bigger offensive line (315 lb average), along with a 240 pound power back (Tebow) and a 255 pound halfback/fullback (Hernandez).
Bama is 307 lbs average on the line and their biggest back is 215 lbs.
Idiot "experts" confuse Florida's offense with a finesse one. Just because they spread you out doesn't mean they aren't going to run right at you, which Florida often does. Florida runs. A lot. Their last 3 games: 346 yards, 395 yards, 317 yards (rushing). Nine straigh games with 3+ rushing touchdowns.
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Nick, Hernandez could have a big game in the Dome. He looked good vs FSU.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
And Hernandez is often forgotten by defenses when Tebow leaves the pocket.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Nick,
Thanks for the read.
I think the rushing stats lend to the argument that "the Gators are getting up on people so fast, that they run the ball out of politeness to the other team. They don't REALLY want to to run it." I think that Meyer loves to run the ball. Whether the Gators are up 20 or down 10, I think he would run it regardless.
Hernandez looked REALLY good against FSU. Which opened the doors for the rest of the receivers. Murphy is looking unstoppable recently, and I think Carl Moore could have a REALLY good day against Bama's smallish corners.
Edit Comment Cancel
Zeptogator 7 months ago
Everyone seems to forget that the game will be played on turf. Gator speedsters like Harvin, Demps, Rainey, Thompson, Murphy, Haden, and Cooper will be salivating, especially after playing in the mud last week at Dork Campbell stadium. Despite the great defenses, this will be a high scoring game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nathan B 7 months ago
I made the mistake of picking South Carolina to upset Florida a few weeks ago when the Gamecocks possessed the SEC's #1 Defense. The utter obliteration they suffered has won me over: I don't see anyone, Big 12 included, stopping Florida this year. Or maybe next year, for that matter. (Ducks and covers).
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Inglis 7 months ago
South Carolina does have a good defense, but their problem is their offense sucks. When your offense is that bad it affects your defense. In the first half South Carolina actually forced two fumbles, two punts and really only allowed 7 points.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nathan B 7 months ago
Yeah, you have a good point ... at one point in the game, it was Chris Smelley 14, South Carolina 0 ... and then they fumbled a kickoff return at their own 1. Florida straight-up is bad enough ... Florida with a 21-point lead is an immovable object.
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
It went from 0-0 to 21-0 in the span of 8 plays and about 2:00 of game clock.
Game over.
I was watching the game with some Gamecock fans and one of them actually said "Smelley 14, Gamecocks 0" during the first quarter.
I took it easy on them that day.
Edit Comment Cancel
Iceman 7 months ago
I dont think the tides defense will be very effictive against flordia as they have been against other teams. Alabamas defense is big and strong, great at stopping smash mouth offenses, which is not the gators. with 4 or 5 differnt guys with insane speed and with tebows running abilty, Alabamas big guys will be running in circles. I still think it will be the game of the year though.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Inglis 7 months ago
I think Bama showed they have trouble with big physical backs, like Charles Scott. Alabama likes to push you around but when you push back they seem to not respond as well.
They shut down CJ Spiller who is a speedster. I don't think Rainey or Demps will have a big day. Harvin should get his # because he is a special player.
I think this game comes down to how well Tebow throws the ball against Bama.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
Its a good thing Florida has a big physical back, Tebow.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Where the Gators really benefit is the number of packages they can put on the field. Speed? Check. Dial up a play for Rainey/Demps/Harvin. Power? Check. Dial up a play for Tebow/Moody. Distance? Check. Dial up a long pass for Murphy/Harvin/Hernandez. Florida is fast, AND Florida is physical. It will be a hell of a game to watch.
Edit Comment Cancel
ryan brothers 7 months ago
all this florida BS yall need to shut the up and give BAMA a chance Im a BAMA fan but i never rule out the fact that either team can win the only reason Florida looks better is because they have no class what kind of team runs the score up when they know they have the game won yes ALABAMA had (2) shutouts with mid range score but we played conservative not 65-3 or 50 something to 10 thats just retarded and something should be done i play church league softball and when were up by 10 or more in the 5th inning the game is called (league rules) i think it should be the same in any sport if ur up by 28-35 points starting the 4th quarter they should call the game if i had to give team style points it would not be Florida i dont care if BAMA does it or OU or TEXAS someone needs to show Florida how football is played with class i hope after Tebow leaves florida has the worst season ever for the next 3 seasons
Edit Comment Cancel
Iceman 7 months ago
college football isnt the church league. if you suck so bad that you cant stop a team from putting up 50 points then that sucks for you. how boring would it be to watch tebow take a knee for the entire second half? thats right it would be gay. they also cant just end the game, that wouldnt be fair to people who paid to watch the game. you can keep your mercy crap for your church stuff, where it belongs.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
You can clearly tell that Ryan has not watched any Florida games.
FACT: John Parker Wilson (268) has thrown more passes than Tim Tebow (246). If Florida was running up the score so much, then why does JPW have 22 more pass attempts than Tebow?
Just another idiot Bama fan who has never watched a Florida game. Tebow is usually sitting on the sideline in the 4th quarter.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Ryan,
Thanks for the read.
Fortunately, the NCAA doesn't have a mercy rule. Plenty of games that I can think of, teams have come back from near death point deficits to either send it into overtime or outright win the game.
Florida has just as much class as any other team in the SEC. It is ALABAMA that is needs to brush up on honor and class. Start with a coach who HONORS HIS WORD, and doesn't jump ship for a new job after swearing that he won't. Start with a fanbase that doesn't viciously attack the opposition as not being "traditional" enough, or simply good enough, cause they don't have the history of the Tide. There are plenty of games in the history of Tide where they destroyed their opponents by wide margins of victory...should this same argument be used against them?
The scores UF has put up these past few weeks are primarily the result of running the ball. UF is good at running the ball, so they score points. And it isn't the starters. These are 2nd, 3rd string guys coming into games that are long since decided, and STILL scoring points. Football teams are responsible for stopping opposing football teams from moving the ball and scoring. How is it the Gators responsibility to not score?
Hoping bad things on Tebow? you are showing your lack of class, Bama fan. And on Saturday, Tebow will show you plenty of class, when he beats the crap out of the Tide. Go Gators.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nathan B 7 months ago
Don't worry Ryan ... that's why they play the game. Can't wait for B/R next Sunday ... some people on one side or the other will definitely have a helping heap of crow to eat. =) I don't think anyone is "not giving Bama a chance" and, unfortunately for you (since you don't seem to like FL too much), they're quite a bit more than just Tim Tebow. Being in the south, I have seen most of Florida's games and have yet to see them "run up the score" on anyone. You don't start taking a knee in the third quarter just because you're up by 30 points, and do you really think Division I college football needs a mercy rule? Seriously? This isn't a church league. do you want them to run backwards into the end zone and give up safeties or something?
May the best team win.
Edit Comment Cancel
Russ Stafford 7 months ago
I feel with or without Percy, Florida will win by 10 or more. If Florida jumps out early (as they have all year) Florida will win big. Go Gators
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
I think the early strong start will be a key to the victory. If this game is a nail-biter into the 4th, I think I would be hesitant to think Florida would win. Go Gators, Russ.
Edit Comment Cancel
Damon Wildman 7 months ago
What gets me is how most Florida fans will say how bad Florida is going to beat Bama and then turn around and say it's going to be a great game. Blow outs are not great games to me but I assume that ya'll mean that its great that its going to be a blow out.
Also if I didn't know better the way ya'll talk about Bama you would think that they are from the Big 10 conference not the SEC. Big ole slow boys. Maybe we should just have a track meet and see how much faster Florida really is. It would be interesting to me to watch. No doubt Florida is fast ya'll have been preaching it as well as the media for months but I would just like to see how Bama measures up, you know to see how far we have to go to catch up.
In reality Florida should be head and shoulders better than Bama this year. What with all the great recruiting classes that Florida has brought in, even before Meyer became coach. Zook recruited great and we all know Spurrier wasn't a slouch at recruiting. Florida never cheated, never lost a scholarship, never had to deal with probation and all the other coaches using that against them, and made only one questionable coaching hire in the past 15 or so years.
Bama on the other hand...well you all know that fiasco. The fact that Florida is better than Bama, at least as is perceived is not a wonder. The wonder is that Bama is even playing Florida for the SEC championship. If Coach Saban can take Bama to this height with less than 2 years as the head coach at Bama just think what he can do in 4 or 6 years! And lo and behold look at his first full season of recruiting last year! Number 1!!!
Ya'll better get Bama this year because it looks as though this might be Meyer and Florida's best shot for a long time to come. See ya'll in Atlanta!!! ROLL TIDE!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Damon, I think it will be a great game regardless of outcome.
You make a very good point about the differences between the two programs in the past 15 years.
I have said it before and say it again: "Welcome back Alabama!".
I think the Alabama vs Florida being simply touted as Power vs Speed is a gross over-simplification. Alabama is not that slow and Florida does not lack a power game.
I also agree that Florida being perceived as the better team and a favorite in the upcoming contest is not a wonder. It is more of a credit to Florida than it is a knock on Alabama.
Alabama has had an amazing season and has an opportunity to silence all doubters on Saturday.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Thanks for the read, Damon.
I think you have the history down well for the Gators. Zook did not leave the cupboard empty, although I would disagree that Spurrier was ever a passionate recruiter. But you are right, Florida is positioned sort of where they should be this season, while Bama is a pleasant surprise.
Saban's long term chances? Very good, If you can get him to stay. Remember, he fell in love with the NFL once, and lied to everyone on his way there. Then, he realized he didn't like it, and lied to everyone on his way out. If Saban makes the commitment to Bama, and actually honors it, then they should be good for years to come. Auburn is down, I think Les Miles is not gonna last at LSU, and Ole Miss is a couple of years away from really threatening the Tide.
Meyer's long term chances? Better than the Tide. Sorry Damon, but I think he is a better coach. And Gainesville is simply an easier place to sell to an 18 year old National Recruiting Prospect than Tuscaloosa. That place is really not that cool. The Gators have an evenly matched fanbase ($ for $ and strength of support), evenly matched facilities, and likely a better modern national reputation.
This match up may become frequent in the years to come. I hope so.
Edit Comment Cancel
Monty Hepner 7 months ago
This article is stupid...I'll give you the LSU game...Florida did blow them out, but Bama also score over 40 on Georgia...and you also failed to mention a few other shared opponents:
FL & Bama vs. Ole Miss - FL lost, Alabama won.
FL & Bama vs Ten - Fla scored 30 on the same defense that Bama scored 29 on...
Fl & Bama vs Ark - Fla scored 38...Bama scored 49 against the same defense....
Did you forget to compare these games?
Bama won't committ the errors that have helped Fl BLOW out teams...they'll have to work for it..it will be alot closer than everybody thinks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kyle David 7 months ago
Colin, I agree with you on all points except the coach. To say Urban has more ethics or is a better coach than Saban is a false statement and "homerism." Is UF the better team this year, yes, because they have better talent. Will they be better than UA two years from now - probably not, and for one reason, Saban is arguably the best coach in the game, the same cannot be said for Urban - he is good, but he is no Saban.
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Kyle,
Thanks for the read.
My ethical statement about Saban relates to his tendency to lie to his bosses and his fans when he is courted by another job. He left LSU, under a shroud of lies, to take the Dolphins job, which he left under a shroud of lies to take the Tide job.
I think in terms of the ethics that both men have, I am not the judge. But I can't think of a time that Meyer has blatantly lied to his fanbase or his administration. I can point to several examples of Saban doing the opposite.
I think Urban is a better coach than Saban. Opinions being what they are, I will leave it at that.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jeff Prutsman 7 months ago
To Monty and the other Bama fans:
You can't compare same-opponent scores because Florida's first teams have only averaged about three quarters of play per game since the Ole Miss game.
And with all due respect to Ole Miss' effort against the Gators this year, UF came out for that game emotionally flat. As a result, two of Ole Miss's scores were the direct result of un-forced turnovers (fumbled exchanges). And save for a blocked extra point, the Gators would STILL have won the game.
On the subject of turnovers, while it's true that the Gator defense has probably scored more than Auburn's offense this year, the Gators are scoring most of their points on long drives --in three quarters per game, for the first team offense.
As someone else noted, our offensive line is actually bigger than yours. And our linebackers are first-round NFL caliber. It kills me when people use "finesse" when describing the Gators. Did you happen to see Brandon Spikes "welcome" Knowshon Moreno during the first quarter of the Florida-Georgia game? Or did you see Teebow --literally-- run over an FSU safety last Saturday?
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Jeff,
Thanks for the read. I agree with your analysis. This will be a game filled with power running and strong players. The only finesse will be the added speed the Gators bring to the equation.
Edit Comment Cancel
Damon Wildman 7 months ago
GatorJon, I have seen the same thing you and everyone else has seen this season from Florida and Bama. I am not going to sit here and type a bunch of bull about Florida not being physical and being a finesse team and so forth. Florida has a great all around team. It will be a monumental task for Bama to beat Florida Saturday. I hope it ain't a blow out and is a great game.
I think a lot of Bama fans are just trying to figure out how to handle success beings that its been so long and what we have went thru. And I guess we just get tired of how the media and everyone outside of the state of Alabama perceives this team as over rated not worthy of being number 1 when all this team has done is go out and win every game on their schedule. That is a monumental task in its on right something that no other BCS conference team has been able to accomplish this season. You might would say a team going undefeated in the ACC, Big 10 or even the Pac 10, would be over rated given how weak those conferences have been but not a team from the SEC or you would think.
I happen to believe that the SEC, while not as strong as some perceive that it has been, is still the best conference in America. I think Florida and Bama both have the defense that could shut down or limit on offense any team in the nation even the mighty Big 12 South. I think if Florida puts 50 on Bama it will be with a whole lotta help from Bama's offense. If Bama can keep from giving Florida easy points then I think the game will be a great game and much closer than many Florida fans as well as media pundits are predicting. Now thats a big if, but up to this point Bama has did what it needed to do to win 12 regular season games.
Its a whole new season now though, thanks to the championship game that was introduced back in '92. Before that year though with this season's record Bama would have been the SEC champion out right regardless of who was playing best at the start or at the end of the season.
One of these years, mark it down, a team is going to go into the championship game 12-0 like Bama is now and maybe have an injury to a starting QB or something and get beat by a team, whom the 12-0 team has already beaten and also has 2 or 3 other losses and they will be the SEC champions. But that is playoffs. I wouldn't have a problem with it except their is no playoff in 1-A or whatever college football. I think a round robin type of schedule would be better but it wouldn't bring the hype and money that a championship game would. I have no problem with multiple teams sharing a championship especially if the NCAA keeps refusing a playoff.
Dang I'm off the subject, lol!!! Sorry guys!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Damon Wildman 7 months ago
Hey Colin! Thanks for the response above. As for who is the better coach, apples and oranges I guess. They both are great at what they do. Meyer needs a great defensive coordinator as Saban needs a great offensive coordinator to make things run smoothly for them.
I don't understand why you think Florida will recruit better than Bama though. The 85 scholarship limit keeps any team from hoarding all the great talent no matter how nice a place is. Look at Bama last year with the number 1 recruiting class and don't look now but Saban is working on bringing in another top 5 or top 3 class for this season.
The thing is that Bama is young only 9 seniors and will only get better. Bama is 12-0 and as most of you know has plenty of room for improvement still. Except for an occasional stumble here and there look for the Bama-Florida series to continue for a while. That is if as you say we can keep our coach. I think though he has had a bad experience with leaving LSU to Miami and then to Bama so much that he is tired of moving at least I hope. But Florida fans better watch out for Notre Dame! ;)
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Damon,
I think Florida has a recruiting edge because:
1) I think college kids would rather go to Florida than Alabama, just for the atmosphere. It is being that close to the beach, having that kind of weather, and having those kinds of entertainments within driving distance vs. Tuscaloosa, which besides the University doesn't really offer a whole lot
2) Meyer and his staff have PROVEN they can recruit, EVEN AFTER they have more than enough talent at each position. In 2 or 3 years, when Alabama has restocked at the key skill positions, I would like to see how well Saban can recruit players to come to his program.
Florida is VERY young as well. There are NO upperclassmen in the starting D, and only 2 on the starting O. Both these teams are poised for long term success.
I hope Meyer doesn't leave. He already had that chance once, and didn't take it. Hopefully, he will stick around UF for many years to come.
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Great post, Damon.
I think I understand the frustration the Tide fans are experiencing, but I am sure Saban and the team will find great motivation in the perceived lack of respect. There is some advantage I think to being the #1 team in the nation who has somehow been flying under the radar because of the flashy firework displays of Florida and the three Big12 South teams.
I don't think Alabama is overrated, but at the same time I wouldn't have a problem with any of the top four teams being ranked #1 right now based on the silly popularity contest that is the BCS. Regardless Bama earned the #1 ranking and has not relinquished it like the previous teams this season. I'm good with it.
I think Bama and Florida do have an advantage over the Big12 teams in that the top two SEC teams have very strong defenses and special teams. And despite how hot Oklahoma has been, I actually think Texas would be a tougher matchup for the SEC champion.
I am biased, but to me the SEC Championship is more important and more legitimate than the BCS title. The SEC Championship is what playing in the SEC is all about. It is how you win the regular season and it is won on the field.
The bowl season is literally a whole other season where fans are left to hope their team gets picked to go to the prom and play in the big game. I certainly hope either Florida or Bama go on to win the BCS but its hard for me to get too excited about such a flawed system.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ken Perkins 7 months ago
Damon, great post.
I believe Alabama deserves all the credit in the world for their position at number 1. They played a perceived great clemson team to start the season off and from there on out has stayed undefeated throughout the SEC, as we fans all know as the toughest conference in and out. Whether teams have disappointed this year (LSU, UGA, USC) or not, this is the SEC and great games happen from these rivalries. With that said though, you have not played florida yet. This will be a powerhouse battle for the ages and may it be a good one. Regardless who wins (GO GATORS!), we SEC fans must all cheer the conference come the NCG. GO GATORS!!! GO SEC!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
chris 7 months ago
I just wanted to say great article. All these bama fans are saying "its going to be closer than yall gator fans think", it has me confused because i dont remember reading where someone claims we win by 20 or 30 points. Most people agree that it is going to be close. Either way great write up.
Gators 38- Tide 20 ( not agreeing with most people )
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Thanks Chris,
I agree, I do not think it will be a blowout. These are two of the best teams in the country, as the season has shown, and they will both bring their A game to Atlanta. I think the rationale for how the Tide beats the Gators is simply too weak, while the rationale for how the Gators beat the Tide seems a little easier to drink.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ryan Payne 7 months ago
Florida gets up early on teams then they have to pass, and the sec is pretty bad off on qb's this year. Alabama will not allow florida to jump up big on them because Alabama is gonna whoop that a. By the time the 4th quarter starts florida's defense will be gasping for air an thirsting for water. They might even cry, because caldwell senior center NFL first round draft projection and andre smith the best tackle in the nation projected top 10 draft pick are being to physical. Sorry Florida but not even Gatoraid is gonna help your little spread athletes running around getting clocked an fumbling worse then you did against ole miss. Bama wins 38-24
Edit Comment Cancel
Colin Colverson 7 months ago
Ryan,
Thanks for the read.
Little spread athletes? The Florida offensive line is bigger than the Alabama offensive line. The physical, power game of the Florida Gators will shock the Tide, who have been listening to the media all week about the "finesse" game the Gators play.
Florida's D is, statistically, better than Alabama's D. Fewer points per game, fewer yards. I doubt that there will be a lot of gasping for air. Dunlap, Estopinan, and Trattou would certainly disagree with you, and I think they will expose an overrated Alabama O-Line, who really hasn't faced a significant threat of pass rush since LSU, when they didn't look their greatest.
Gators 38-17
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.