Florida Gators' Keys to Victory Against the Alabama Crimson Tide

Most experts and analysts aren't giving the Florida Gators much of a chance to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. To their credit, it did take the Gators three overtimes to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats 36-30.

While the Gators didn't play well last weekend, they certainly shouldn't be 14.5 underdogs like they are on Saturday, according to Odds Shark. Here are the Gators' keys to victory over the Crimson Tide. 

	Pass Offense	Run Offense	Point (For)	Points (Against)
Florida Gators	345.5 (12th)	248.0 (25th)	50.5 (7th)	15.0 (16th)
Alabama Crimson Tide	298.0 (33rd)	270.3 (18th)	42.0 (26th)	11.7 (10th)

Driskel Needs to Air It Out

Alabama’s secondary was awful against the West Virginia Mountaineers in Week 1. Quarterback Clint Trickett was able to throw for 365 yards and a touchdown pass.

Alabama will be without its starting free safety, Nick Perry, for the first half of Saturday's game. Perry was ejected during the second half of last week's game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles for targeting. So expect quarterback Jeff Driskel to get the ball into receiver Demarcus Robinson's hands early.

Driskel threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns against the Wildcats. Robinson tied a school record last week with 15 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns.

The Gators are averaging 90 plays from scrimmage offensively under first-year coordinator Kurt Roper. With the Crimson Tide short-handed in their secondary, you should expect the Gators to call a lot of passing plays early in the game. 

Contain Cooper's Big Plays

Amari Cooper comes into the game against Florida leading the nation in catches with 33. He is also third in the nation in receiving yards with 454.

Fortunately for the Gators, they have arguably the best cornerback in college football in Vernon Hargreaves. The sophomore is first in the nation with 2.50 passes defended per game. Hargreaves also ranks first in the SEC with five pass breakups. 

Last week, Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns against the Gators. Head coach Will Muschamp told Gators beat writer David Jones that Florida has to make improvements in its secondary, and he is correct.

If the Gators secondary struggles like it did against Kentucky, it could be a long day. Florida has to limit Cooper's plays and force other Crimson Tide receivers to beat them. 

Slow Down the Alabama Running Game

Last week Towles was able to improvise and make plays with his feet against the Gators. This week, Florida will face another dual-threat quarterback in Blake Sims.

Not only did Sims throw for two touchdowns against Southern Miss last week, but he also rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. 

The Gators also have to worry about running backs T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry. Alabama has averaged 270 rushing yards per game, so you can expect head coach Nick Saban to pound the ball to take pressure off Sims and the passing game. 

Both Alabama and Florida's defenses are good enough to keep the game close. If the Gators can limit the mistakes and take advantage of Alabama’s short-handed secondary, they certainly have a chance to win this game. 

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