Alabama-Florida Football: Southeastern Showdown in Atlanta

This weekend marks arguably the most anticipated SEC championship game since its beginning in 1992. The game was played in Birmingham at Legion Field the first two years, and since then has been moved to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Alabama won the very first meeting in 1992 against Florida (28-21). It's quite the coincidence that this weekend's game with so much anticipation features the same two teams who started it all. In fact, this will mark the sixth time they have battled for SEC supremacy. Florida holds the edge, 3-2; however, last meeting in Atlanta (1999), Alabama won, 34-7.

Top-ranked Alabama enters this game undefeated for the third time. The Tide are 1-1 in this game when undefeated, and both of those games were against Florida. Second-ranked Florida enters the game at 11-1 and has scored 42 or more points in seven consecutive games. It's very evident that something will have to give this weekend, as Florida's high-powered offense stacks up against the stout defensive line of Alabama.

By far the most overlooked aspect of this game is the Florida defense. Alabama's defense has gained a lot of hype thus far, but Charlie Strong's defense has held 11 of 12 opponents to 21 points or less. The one exception being the Ole Miss game where Florida had a streak of turnovers, all on their side of the field. Of those 11 games, they held seven of those teams to 10 points or less.

The consistency of the defense has helped get Tim Tebow and the offense on the field more, and in return Florida has been on a scoring rampage. There's no doubt Florida will put up points in this contest, but if standout Percy Harvin does not play with his ankle injury, it could slow them up slightly.

Alabama enters the game undefeated, and fresh off a home win versus rival Auburn. This year marks the best since Gene Stallings 1992 championship team. The defense statistically matches up evenly with Florida's. Alabama has held 11 of 12 teams to 21 points or less also, including two shutouts.

The Tide's offense is also potentially handicapped as well this weekend, after Roy Upchurch suffered a neck injury. It will be up to Glen Coffee, and Mark Ingram to carry the load and keep Florida's offense off the field.

Both Florida and Alabama have a couple of keys to victory. For Florida, it will be to distribute the ball around, not commit turnovers, and stop the run. I feel that Brandon James and his kick returning will be an X-Factor in this game; don't be surprised for him to gash the Tide for a long punt return.

For Alabama, the key is to establish the run and keep John Parker Wilson out of tough situations, like 3rd-and-longs. They will also need to put pressure on Tebow and try to take him out of his current groove.

I am picking Florida to win despite Alabama being undefeated; I think Florida pulls away late in the third quarter and ends up winning, 41-20. This game should prove similar to the 1996 game, in which Florida's offense was too much.

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