Florida vs. Alabama: Game Grades, Analysis for Gators and Crimson Tide
The No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide overcame four turnovers and improved to 4-0 after demolishing the Florida Gators 42-21.
Nick Saban certainly wasn't happy with his team's ball-security issues, but Alabama's offense never stopped clicking nevertheless.
| Pass Offense | D | F |
| Run Offense | C- | D+ |
| Pass Defense | F | F |
| Run Defense | A- | D |
| Special Teams | B+ | B |
| Coaching | C | F |
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Pass Offense: Jeff Driskel had himself a day, but it wasn't a good one. The junior quarterback completed just 9 of 28 attempts for 93 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. In moral victory news, Quinton Dunbar extended his streak of at least one reception to 36 games and Valdez Showers caught a 28-yard score.
Run Offense: Though Driskel found the end zone on a quarterback draw, that was the extent of Florida's success on the ground. Matt Jones tallied 37 yards on 12 carries, trailing Driskel's mediocre performance that still resulted in 59 yards.
Pass Defense: Keanu Neal recovered a DeAndrew White fumble and returned it to the house, but he was absolutely fried by Amari Cooper for a 79-yard score. Vernon Hargreaves struggled to cover Cooper, and the sophomore didn't receive much help from his fellow defensive backs.
Run Defense: The Gators allowed only 30 yards on 17 carries during the first half, but Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon wore them out during the latter half. The Crimson Tide finished with 196 yards and one touchdown on the ground, constantly breaking missed tackles against a tired Florida defense.
Special Teams: Kyle Christy averaged an impressive 52.7 yards per punt, and Francisco Valdez connected on three extra points. However, explosive weapons Andre Debose and Showers were both held to 17.0 yards per kick return.
Coaching: Will Muschamp was flat-out dominated by the Alabama staff, and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper will be studying plenty of film after this one. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin definitely wants to forget what was the worst game in the history of Florida's defense.
| Pass Offense | A | A |
| Run Offense | D- | B+ |
| Pass Defense | A- | A |
| Run Defense | B+ | B |
| Special Teams | C+ | B |
| Coaching | A | A |
Pass Offense: Blake Sims found his target on 23 of 33 attempts, accounting for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper racked up 201 yards and three scores, and DeAndrew White added six receptions for 48 yards. Talented tight end O.J. Howard finally recorded his first grabs of the season.
Run Offense: A slow, fumbled-filled first half hurt the Crimson Tide, but their rushing attack overpowered the worn-down Florida defenders. Derrick Henry finished with 111 yards and a score, while T.J. Yeldon and Kenyan Drake contributed 74 more.
Pass Defense: Showers shook Jabriel Washington for a 28-yard score, but the junior redeemed himself with Alabama's first interception of the season. Landon Collins snatched a one-handed pick later, and the Tide limited Gators standout Demarcus Robinson to two catches for 14 yards.
Run Defense: Alabama controlled the line of scrimmage, ceding only a handful of explosive runs to Driskel and Jones. Florida gained just five first downs via its ground game.
Special Teams: JK Scott shanked a 30-yard punt but responded with a 57-yard blast. Adam Griffith missed his 45-yard field goal badly and sent one kickoff out of bounds, but he converted all six extra points.
Coaching: Nick Saban, Lane Kiffin and Kirby Smart were unquestionably outstanding. Alabama had an excellent game plan, and each of the four turnovers were player error. Florida's 21 points followed those three fumbles and one interception and were not products of sustained drives.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
