To begin, please read Eric Brown’s excellent article titled B/R Vs. ESPN: Handicapping the Hidden Battle In Atlanta. It segues nicely into why you should be reading this in the first place—and it directs you to a very good website about college football picks.
Or just be a rebel and continue reading. Either way…
So I keep reading and hearing that this year’s SEC Championship Game is “Florida’s Flash” vs. “Alabama’s Grit.”
And I just don’t understand it.
Yes, Florida has flashy and lightning-fast players, and yes, Alabama has top-notch, gritty lineman in the trenches.
But these teams didn’t get to the SEC title game without great players all over the field.
Isn’t Tim Tebow the toughest quarterback in the nation—the “one-man wrecking ball,” as some have called him? Isn’t Julio Jones one of the best and most athletic wide receivers in college football? Are the Pouncey twins finesse players? Is Javier Arenas not one of the most electrifying return men in the nation?
But I digress…
One of the benefits of having the greatest wife in the world is that she allows me to watch football every weekend. The one game of the day I really want to watch quickly turns into two, three, and four—and nearly all of these games are SEC games.
That said, before I go on, let me preface this by saying that I think Florida wins hands down this weekend. Whether it’s close for a while or not really doesn’t matter. I think Florida will continue its dominance and pull away for a convincing victory.
So Bama fans, either continue reading while foaming at the mouth—or stop reading now and save yourself a panic attack. Or just skim over it and leave the obligatory “Roll Tide!” comment.
Moving on: There is this myth that in rivalry games or games with much on the line that you should “throw the stats out the window.” Call me crazy, but that’s usually what the underdogs say.
Like FSU, for example. They wanted to chuck those stats right out the window. And Georgia, too; set the stats aside, the experts said. This will be a war!
Blah blah blah.
While I agree that some stats can be misleading and meaningless altogether, in this case, for this particular game—Florida appears to have a major advantage in several areas, but for time’s sake, I will only address one in this analysis.
Florida will win this game for one reason only: field position.
Let us begin with kickoffs.
Alabama struggles with both kickoffs and kickoff returns. For starters, despite having Javier Arenas, Alabama is dead last in the SEC in kick return average.
Florida’s kickoff coverage is a bit unusual in that they try to pin their opponents into the corner, sometimes leading to the kickoff going out of bounds. Other times it leads to a very one-dimensional return, as it limits the o
56 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Russ Stafford 7 months ago
Great article man, I agree.
And what can I say? Great minds think alike, I had the same score prediction on my article lol 41-20. I think Spikes and the D will stuff the run much like the LSU and Georgia game, putting pressure on John Parker which will turn into more turnovers and a case of aspirin waiting for JP after the game. With Percy pretty close to full speed, I wouldn't doubt Florida crackin the 50s. Go Gators!
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Word on Percy is that he is close to full speed?
I wonder what we'll hear about practice today.
Appreciate the read.
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Devivero 7 months ago
This is a great article. I agree 100%.
The whole flash vs. grit subplot is really just a way to attract attention to the game.
For example, if I wrote an article about how the game is pitting Florida's speed against Alabama's strength, this would be more interesting than If I simply explained that Florida is just as good or better in every phase of the game as Alabama.
But, for those who bother to go back and read preview/prediction articles after the game, they will find that articles like this one are telling the true story.
My gut told me that it would be Florida 42, Alabama 21. I'm rethinking that 21 since you brought up how Alabama settles for field goals more than anyone else in the SEC. But still, its reassuring to see a prediction so similar.
POTD
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Thanks for the pick, Michael.
Because Alabama's season has been somewhat similar to the Gators' 2006 run, I think people have been reluctant to put down big wins for predictions. The numbers just don't add up for me, though; I can't see Bama keeping up.
Edit Comment Cancel
Rick Cruz 7 months ago
Michael, pay close attention to what they are about to explain during the half-time show. Oklahoma winning huge only helps Texas' chances of both OU and Texas stealing USA Today votes away from Florida. I know you're a Florida fan, but it will be very close.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ben White 7 months ago
It is annoying how the media typecasts everything. Grit vs. Flash. Power vs. Speed. This teams supposed strength vs. this teams supposed strength. Laziness all around.
Good article. I agree in your assessment. But then I would as a confirmed hater of all things crimson.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
No shame in hating your rival, Ben.
Thanks for the read and comments, hater of all things crimson.
Edit Comment Cancel
Doug Caldwell 7 months ago
Great analysis. If Alabama gets down early things could get very ugly very fast as the Tide is not a team built to come from behind. Florida is going to have to make mistakes for Alabama to win. I think the Saban factor keeps things close but Florida wins.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
I actually see both clubs making big turnovers--too much hype and adrenaline, and Tebow seems due for a turnover; two INTs through 12 games is almost unfair. Whoever can capitalize (td vs. fg--or missed fg) could be the difference.
Both of these teams are the ultimate first quarter teams, so it will be a fun 15 minutes to watch. Showing up late to watch this one is not recommended.
Edit Comment Cancel
Josh Post 7 months ago
Tim, As you said Tebow is due for a Turnover, I would say Brandon James is also due for a kick/punt return for a touchdown. I also expect Meyer to come up with a better kickoff coverage than FSU game.
Go Gators !!
Edit Comment Cancel
CrimsonTusks.com 7 months ago
You bring up some interesting points here Tim. Some of them, I have to question. As example,
"Alabama struggles with both kickoffs and kickoff returns. For starters, despite having Javier Arenas, Alabama is dead last in the SEC in kick return average."
That might make one pause until you look at this statistic. Between the #1 spot and #12 spot in the SEC stats, the difference is just under six yards. The top three teams in this category lost to Alabama. Only one of top three teams in this category, Kentucky, is "bowling" this post-season. (Auburn and UT are the other two.)
Interesting point to add is Florida is averaging 1.5 yards more a return on kicks this year than Alabama.
I do believe field position will play a difference in this game, but if you are using a statistic like this one to prove a point, the same statistic can be used on the flip-side of that point.
You have to include kickoff coverage in this conversation as well. Again, what is good for one team is good for the other.
UF 41.9 vs UA 41.7
You go on to mention Bradon Jacobs, fantastic athlete, who averages 14.7 yards a return and has two touchdowns this year.
Counter that with...Javier Arenas, who averages 14.7 yards per return and has two touchdowns this season.
Moving on...
Punt coverage is, by your statistical breakdown, a weakness for Alabama despite there only being a three yard difference in net punts and a 3 yard difference in net returns. Three yards doesn't equal a distinct advantage.
43 yards total on the season is a crazy figure. No doubt.
I'm not throwing statistics out the window.
I will say that what happens in the Georgia Dome during the SECCG tends to be different than what happens during the regular season. It's just a different climate, a different atmosphere.
The only problem I have with statistics is they can be taken, used in a manner to paint a person, team, or unit in a more positive light than the other.
Is this an example of such a case?
Like I mentioned in my preview, this game (in Alabama's terms) is breaking even in the special teams.
Thanks for the read...it was a good one.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Thanks for the read, RollTide.
As for the kickoffs, while the 1.5 difference is accurate, Bama only has two touchbacks, meaning shorter kicks. So it's really not 1.5 yards. FL will get the ball farther out than Bama's return team, and will therefore get more of a 4-5 yard (if not more) average beginning. If that makes sense.
As for the punt team, over 4 yards per return is significant. Not only does it suggest Bama punts often enough where the return man has open field, 4-5 yards is huge when dictating what an offense can do. Florida (or any team) will open it up quite a bit more on the 40 than say the 33-35--more willing to take chances with the ball rather than keeping it conservative.
Yes, James and Arenas have identical numbers, but if FL has not given up any yards this season, what makes you think that will change? Going by field position and 12 games, FL simply doesn't give the return man an option. I would be willing to bet FL forces more fair catches percentage-wise than anyone.
For me, special teams is a huge advantage for FL--not only on paper but also based on previous games.
Thanks for the objective comments. Looking forward to a great game, no matter who comes out on top.
Edit Comment Cancel
Zeptogator 7 months ago
Great article! I am a bit concerned about Florida's kickoff coverage after the FSU game, but hopefully those breakdowns were mainly due to the sloppy conditions at Doak. Sturgis has been not been consistent all season, so there may be opportunities for Bama. I think Florida has a definite edge in special teams, but I don't think it is huge.
There are two other huge differences that stick out in my mind: 1) Interceptions and 2) RBs.
Florida leads the nation in turnover margin mainly because of interceptions by their secondary and by Brandon Spikes, aided by a great pass rush and blitz schemes, tempered by a lot of freshman QBs as opponents. If Bama gets into 3rd and long situations, watch out for picks. This game could be over quickly if that happens.
Everyone seems to talk about Bama's steady, grind it out run game. That's because their RBs are not explosive. Four Gator RBs (Harvin, Demps, Rainey, Moody) have higher average yards/rush than the top Bama RB. Each Gator RB averages about 50 yards per game. Add that all together and you get 200 yards per game, not including Tebow. It's not that Bama grinds it out. It's just that they don't explode like the Florida backs do. If Florida needs to grind it out, then there is Tebow, Moody, or Moore. If they need to explode, then there is Harvin, Demps, and Rainey (some would say Tebow, Moody and Moore have explosive 20+ yard potential as well). This unselfish RB unit has gotten better and better every game. And sure, Bama has a great O-line, but Florida does too and also has great depth.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
100% agree on the RBs.
Demps is a tough little dude, not just a burner. Dude can take it right through the middle. Then nobody can catch him.
The scary thing is that Tebow appears to be back to last year's running form.
Teams people don't want to play: FL, OU, and Georgia Tech. Just impossible to game plan against those teams right now.
Edit Comment Cancel
thomas moreland 7 months ago
great break down great read 37-17 was my prediction i adjusted it a bit when harvin got hurt originally i figured 49 to 20 if harvin is healthy!! roll gators! i like being right! lol thomas
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
I think Florida is the more physical team. Florida has the bigger offensive line and if both teams lined up in a power set on offense, Florida's offensive set would be much bigger than Alabama's. Florida has Tebow (240 lbs) as its power back and Hernandez (260 lbs) as its fullback/upback. Alabama's biggest running back is more than 20 lbs lighter than Tebow and Alabama's offensive line is smaller than Florida's offensive line.
Florida also has more sacks on defense, has allowed less sacks on offense, and has rushed for more yards. The fact that so many Gator rushers have 500+ yards shows that the physical offensive line can open holes for all of them.
Bama is going to get hit in the mouth early and they will never recover. Coffee meet Spikes. Wilson meet Dunlap and the Florida Secondary.
You don't run for 240 yards per game without being physical.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
I think Florida is the more physical team. Florida has the bigger offensive line and if both teams lined up in a power set on offense, Florida's offensive set would be much bigger than Alabama's. Florida has Tebow (240 lbs) as its power back and Hernandez (260 lbs) as its fullback/upback. Alabama's biggest running back is more than 20 lbs lighter than Tebow and Alabama's offensive line is smaller than Florida's offensive line.
Florida also has more sacks on defense, has allowed less sacks on offense, and has rushed for more yards. The fact that so many Gator rushers have 500+ yards shows that the physical offensive line can open holes for all of them.
Bama is going to get hit in the mouth early and they will never recover. Coffee meet Spikes. Wilson meet Dunlap and the Florida Secondary.
You don't run for 240 yards per game without being physical.
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Great read, Tim.
I agree with Zepto about special teams not being a huge advantage in this game. Alabama is solid and Arenas is a real threat.
We did not dominate field position in the FSU game like we have in other games due to our turnovers and less than spectacular special teams play. We do not want to see that against Bama.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Chances of pouring rain in the GA Dome: 0%.
Arenas excels in punt return, but again, will the Gators even give him a chance? My money is they won't.
Thanks for the read and comment.
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Tim, I'm sure it will be nice and dry in the Dome.
It looked to me like the FSU kick coverage was dialed in, rain or no rain.
It also looked to me like Demps flat fumbled the ball and I don't think that was his first of the year.
Those were the two small concerns I came away from the FSU game with.
Edit Comment Cancel
Timothy Croley 7 months ago
Roll Tide!
Florida may win, but I don't see either team scoring more than 30 (unless it goes to OT), seeing as to how each team is giving up less than 12 points per game. That would double the season average, and each have only given up 30 points once this year. Most games for both, the defenses have given up 14 or less. So, I see field position, red zone scoring, and all of those things factoring in. I also see a game similar to the LSU/Bama game. Lots of emotion and the winner being the one who has the least mistakes.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
Florida averages 46, and Bama gives up 12. Split the difference and Florida scores 29 points.
Alabama averages 32 and Florida gives up 12. Split the difference and Bama scores 22.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Dug up some more interesting info, Timothy. Probably won't sway you, but I'll put it out there anyway.
Against common opponents Arkansas, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and LSU:
Alabama punted a total of 25 times and went three-and-out 10 times.
Florida punted a total of 17 times and went three-and-out 5 times.
If you can survive a typical day like that and still beat the Gators, more power to you. But the games seem to show that Bama's offense can flat-line at times, leading to the short field for FL. Again, I think this plays into the field position argument.
And to any Bama fans who wants to write, "At least we beat Ole Miss," great. I won't argue with you. That's a different point entirely.
Edit Comment Cancel
Timothy Croley 7 months ago
Tim, I won't deny that Bama can flat-line on offense, but they do what they have to to win. I think a lot of times they play to their opponents level. That's not an excuse for the way we've played at times with lesser opponents, I have just seen it my entire life. For example, we played up and almost beat the national champions last year, then played down and let LAMO beat us.
I haven't looked at the stats, but I would think that Bama's offensive drives have probably been more time consuming than Florida's. A long-sustained drive from Bama will keep the Gator offense on the sidelines.
Also, I can't remember, but didn't Florida score a lot of points on defense and special teams against Kentucky?
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
I hear you.
Against UK, the Gators had 446 yards of offense and over 200 on the ground. They pretty much did whatever they wanted. Others could probably confirm, but I'm pretty sure UK was missing like half of their defense, so the comparison there might not be accurate anyway.
Time of possession is the most overrated aspect of cfb, IMO. And again, if Bama goes 75 yards in 8 minutes but settles for a FG attempt, that plays right into Florida's hands. Whether or not they eat clock, Bama has to score TDs.
Serious question: How do Bama fans feel about Tiffin?
Edit Comment Cancel
Timothy Croley 7 months ago
I think Bama fans feel about as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs when it comes to Tiffin. He is not the kicker his father was...not by any strecth! He has hit long field goals for us, but usually when the game is not on the line.
He had the kick blocked against LSU, that most remember recently.
In 06, as a freshman, he missed two or three field goals and the PAT that would have tied and sent the game into OT #2 against Arkansas. That could be credited to freshman mistakes, but the truth is he is either on or he is off.
The only thing they may calm us a bit, right now, is the fact that in the first game in the GADome this year he went 4-5, including a career long 54 yarder in his first attempt of the season. He hit one from 21, then missed a 52 yarder, but bounced back and hit two more - 34 & 26.
He has two games where he missed two attempts - UK & LSU - and two games where he nailed all three attempst - UT & State. So I think it all boils down to what kind of day he is having.
If it is 4th and short (1 1/2 - 2 yards) we might just go for it rather than chance the missed FG (at least I would. I know this is a long response, but should clearly answer how I feel, which is the general consensus of most Bama fans.
Edit Comment Cancel
Justin Goar 7 months ago
great stuff as always.
you know the media has to dumb it down for everyone. real fans like yourself know the deal.
get ready tim, i don't say this often....."go gators!!!"
i'm going to take a "crying game" shower now.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
JG pulling the switch and rooting for the East representative!
Crying Game stuff indeed to see a Tiger cheering on the Gators. Jim Carrey's shower version is much better, but who's counting...
Thanks for the read and comment, Justin.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nick The Only 7 months ago
The run games are a wash (on the ground, Alabama gains about 130 yards more than it allows and Florida gaines about 135 yards more than it allows). It comes down to passing and special teams and Florida has distinct advantages in both of those areas.
Edit Comment Cancel
Derwin Daigle 7 months ago
Your not the only Tiger fan pulling for the Gators this weekend. I saw what they did to my LSU tigers. It looks like all the Tide fans forgot about that game. What happend Alabama?
"Go Gators"!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jay David 7 months ago
If Florida's history, both past and recent are any indication, and I can list four games off the top of my head that suggest it is true, the Gators are in for a beat down. Florida is soft. The players are soft, the schemes are soft. They are soft mentally. They don't respond well to getting punched in the mouth and that is exactly what Alabama is going to do. The score may appear close but the game won't be. Look for Alabama to abuse the Gators all day long before heading down to Miami to do the same to Oklahoma, another team that historically has not responded well to a punch in the mouth.
Alabama 28
Florida 24
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Jay, do you watch much SEC football?
If so, please expand upon your "soft" comments. Where are they soft? Which players? Please, do tell...
Edit Comment Cancel
Jay David 7 months ago
Just take a look at the games that Florida has played against physical teams the last few years. Ole Miss (2008), Michigan (Outback Bowl), Auburn (LSU, 2007), Auburn (2006) and you can keep going back before Urban Meyer was the coach. Heck, the best Florida team I have seen was the 1995 team that Nebraska rolled up on in their bowl game, which coincidentally, was the most physical football team I have seen play until this year, and that team is Alabama. Urban Meyer is under .500 in games against physical football teams since coming to Florida, even when he has the obviously better team. That my friend is a trend and here comes the most physical football team since the 2001 Buffaloes and probably the most physical in more than a decade.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
So basically you can't name any players from FL (or other SEC schools) that are soft.
Schemes are soft? How exactly is a scheme soft? Are the players instructed to cower in fear? "Blitz, guys, but not too hard; we can't rough the other team up."
One other question: Do you think any of the 12 teams FL has played this year would call them soft? Which ones?
Edit Comment Cancel
Derwin Daigle 7 months ago
Jay, you talk about Florida being "soft" What happend to alabama aganst a very weak LSU team this year? Just compare the two meetings. Florida vs LSU & Alabama vs LSU
Florida 28
Alabama 14
Edit Comment Cancel
Jay David 7 months ago
No offense, but that is a stupid comment. If you want to use that type of ridiculous logic, how about looking at their games against Ole Miss? Florida lost, Bama won.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Brown 7 months ago
Jay, can you clarify what makes a team physical? Is it the play of the lines, the blocking schemes, the style of defense, or a combination of these? Is it the percentage of run/pass, assuming that the more you like to pass, the less physical you are?
Thanks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Rich Parker 7 months ago
You're probably right and it might be a good idea for Nick & Bama to just bypass this game and head straight for the Sugar Bowl why show up and play the game everyone already knows you lost!
Wait, maybe we ought to rethink that idea, could it be possible that Florida might have an off-day and Bama might just pull one out, or maybe the Bama boys aren't ready to buy into all that hype about Tebow and FU? Maybe both teams should go ahead and suit up and play because all the predictions in the world never did actually decide a game to my knowledge without playing the game first.
Yes, games have been predicted correctly but there have been a few predictions that missed the mark and not just by a little margin either. These are two very good teams with two outstanding coaches so why not just let these two teams play without insulting yourself with stupid and outlandish predictions.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Rich,
It's one man's opinion.
Sure, I could straddle the fence like you and say blah blah blah, but I'd rather hang my balls out there and actually make a pick.
This whole "predicting a winner of a football game" is not exactly a new concept. For example, you are aware that several Bama fans, many of whom are on this site, are predicting a Tide win, right? Are they insulting themselves by making such stupid and outlandish predictions?
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Florida is "soft"? I did not know that.
Edit Comment Cancel
TheTas 7 months ago
As a second generation Gator Alum and fan I can honestly say that no matter who we play or where, I feel we can beat anyone on any given day, at least this year ( yeah I know Old Miss-it happens ). But that doesn't stop me from worrying each weekend LOL
Bama is a team to be taken seriously they have some amazing players and will be GREAT in the future, as we all know you don't go through the SEC unbeaten without a great team, no matter how down the conference may be this year. They do remind me so much of the 2006 Gator team, didn't win pretty ( ok Ohio got their butts whipped rightly ) but grind out a victory each week.
That being said, for the first time in a long time ( Went to UF when Big Steve began coaching there in '90s) this team has just a different feel to it. They seem like a team on a mission! Are we banged up, absolutely but we have been since even before the first game and have had many players step up and play well beyond expectations. I believe we can butt heads with the best of them as long as we have our heads in the game and not in Miami!
That's my 2 cents for what it is worth...oh and making predictions is half the fun of CFB Rich, but in the end it is the boys on the field that make it happen. So I am sitting here at my desk at work, excited, nervous and thrilled I am going to see one of the greatest games ever. I wish both teams luck and no injuries and all the best to Bama in the Sugar Bowl, I will be cheering the loudest for you!
Edit Comment Cancel
GatorJon 7 months ago
Well said, Tas.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chris Rock 7 months ago
Finess and soft statements led to a 41-14 beatdown two years ago, not to mention an average of 50 PPG scored in the last 7 BCS opponents (left out non-bcs on purpose).
Oh yeah... UF has only allowed 11 ppg (less if you only count first string defense)...
I'd like to know what soft means as well. Seems no one can answer that. BTW, Meyer reminded the players they are "soft" this week.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robby Carrion 7 months ago
Here's the great thing about what your saying Tim.... Is that when Alabama beats Florida you still won't agree that Alabama is the best team in the SEC. YOU tim will make up some more crap so you don't have to say you were WRONG. All year I have heard how Alabama is not good enough, their to young, or the other teams were over rated. Which because they played Alabama those over rated teams showed their true colors. Tim you make it seem like 12-0 is a bad thing there are no pluses in Alabama's game. Which is that they control clock with very few mistakes and the running game which is better than good. Don't forget the off/def lines that have been playing above and beyond with 12 true starting freshmen " Which is AMAZING!!" Alabama is the best team Florida has played yet. Florida has also lost a game which means they can be beat. You hate Alabama! Everyone who has seen this crap you wrote knows it. I WILL MAKE IT A POINT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL! ANY TIME YOU POST SOMETHING I WILL REMIND YOU THAT YOU WERE WRONG AND YOU TWIST FACTS TO MAKE YOUR POINT! Everytime you post you will see my comment, Everytime!!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Robby,
I guess I can always count on getting at least one comment on every article. I appreciate that kind of support, man. Thanks.
Just out of curiosity: If someone incorrectly picks the winner of one football game, does that mean they don't know anything about football? Or is it just for this game? For example, nearly every "expert" is picking Florida. Are they all clueless? Even the guys who played in college and the NFL? Please explain your stance.
Also, please explain your level of football knowledge if Alabama (gasp!) does in fact lose.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Brown 7 months ago
Will you now comment on every one of Tim's articles saying how wrong you were and how right he was? Everytime? EVERYTIME????
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert Radford 7 months ago
A lot of great comments, but most do not factor in one $4 millon element and that's what Florida will overlook and ultimately will be their downfall. Predict Alabama up 14 points.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robby Carrion 7 months ago
Do I have to. Nick is one of the best. And some people are going to get mad but LSU sucked until he got there.... They lived off his boys. Les should have called Nick last year and thanked him..LOL
He will win coach of the year..
Edit Comment Cancel
Robby Carrion 7 months ago
You make it seem like there is no chance. Alabama has played very sound football. They have not made a mistake to lose a game yet. It is amazing that a young team like this has went undefeated in the SEC. Alabama is not showy, but they win. They get up early and run the clock hard. You yourself had to of seen that. They play a different game a power game. Florida has not play a D like this nothing close to it.
And I did stick myself out there!!! But I have been a Tide fan for over 30 years. I work at a sports bar in Tenn so I had to listen to the bama haters a lot.. I will always show my pride 3-8 to 12-0, I never fade.
Bama by 4 to 7 if its more they get scared and put the ball in the air because of the clock Bama controled..
(gasp!) I love that!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Brantley 7 months ago
The funny thing about the article is the failure to mention Javier Arenas. I, personally, am an Auburn grad, but living in the South, I watch mainly SEC football. This Alabama team reminds me of the '92 team in that they have had no dominant wins until the Iron Bowl. I knwo they stormed out against GA, but in the end, they just held on to win. Saying that, NO ONE gave them a chance against Miami in '92, just like the "experts" are now. "Experts", that's a joke too. I know some "experts" that sell sports picks that have ruined peoples lives. So when you say someone is an "expert" at picking outcomes and winners, I get a good laugh. There are people that are avid fans of the game, and valiant observers, at best. To say that they are experts and that their opinions mean any more to me than a coin toss here is ludicrous!
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
Arenas is actually mentioned two times in this article, the first time calling him "one of the most electrifying return men in the nation."
But I'm happy you know more than experts. At the end of the day, you can always rest your hat on that, Kevin.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Brown 7 months ago
And, actually, tossing a coin is a reallllllly bad idea when it comes to picking games. Just sayin'.
Both Arenas and Brandon James were basically non-factors in the kicking game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Rick Cruz 7 months ago
TEXAS WILL REMAIN #2 IN BCS STANDINGS SHOULD FLORIDA AND OKLAHOMA WIN UNCONVINCINGLY: 1 Oklahoma 0.980, 2 Texas 0.951, 2 Florida 0.944, 4 USC 0.830, 5 Alabama 0.813. Harris votes predicted: 1 Florida 2823, 2 Oklahoma 2735, 3 Texas 2692, 4 USC 2446, 5 Alabama 2260. USA Today votes predicted: 1 Oklahoma 1496, 2 Florida 1484, 3 Texas 1462, 4 USC 1331, 5 Alabama 1220. Computer Rankings (A&H, RB, CM, KM, JS, PW): 1 Oklahoma 0.99 (24, 25, 23, 25, 25, 25), 2 Texas 0.94 (23, 21, 25, 23, 24, 24), 3 Utah 0.88 (25, 19, 22, 22, 22, 22), 4 Texas Tech 0.87 (21, 20, 19, 24, 23, 23), 5 Florida 0.86 (22, 24, 24, 20, 20, 20), 6 Alabama 0.84 (18, 23, 21, 21, 21, 21). Should Texas and Florida finish tied for second place, the tie breaker is 1) head-to-head (not applicable, they did not play each other), 2) evaluate win versus highest ranked common team played (not applicable, they did not play any common teams), 3) computer ranking average including all six computer rankings (TEXAS WINS TIE-BREAKER).
Edit Comment Cancel
Michael Devivero 7 months ago
No, Florida will do better in the coaches' poll then you are predicting. The voters do not want to see a rematch. They will reward Oklahoma and Florida for winning their conference championships. You're suggesting that there will be more rebels that put Texas in the top 2 then there actually will be. Also, I think Florida's computer ranking will be higher than 0.86.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Brown 7 months ago
See, Tim, I knew you'd nail the SEC game and whiff on the ACC game. Ha!
Nice call on your opening drive field position narrative. Go back, read it, and think of how things really went.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock 7 months ago
You have to love when the ACC's #25 ranked team wins the conference title game.
Other than two possessions in the first quarter, FL never started inside its own 30.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.