Alabama vs. Missouri: Date, Start Time and More for 2014 SEC Championship Game
No matter what happens in the Iron Bowl, Alabama's headed to Atlanta for the 2014 SEC Championship Game.
With the No. 4 Mississippi State Bulldogs losing the Egg Bowl to Ole Miss on Saturday, the top-ranked Crimson Tide won the SEC West and will meet Missouri to determine the conference champion.
On paper, it looks like a rather one-sided matchup, with Alabama playing like the best team in the country. The Tide have had their problems throughout 2014, however, looking less than convincing in wins over LSU and Arkansas earlier in the year, along with that defeat to Ole Miss.
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If this were a seven-game series, you'd give a substantial edge to the Crimson Tide, hands down. In a one-off conference championship, anything can happen.
When: Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. ET
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Watch: CBS
Live Stream: CBSSports.com
The Book on Alabama
Everybody knows what to expect from Alabama at this point.
Offensively, the Crimson Tide can bludgeon you with T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry, both of whom could arguably be the best running back in the country if given the ball on a regular basis.
Then, if you begin creeping up and stacking the box to stop the run, Amari Cooper can kill you over the top. Many have Marcus Mariota atop the Heisman Trophy rankings, but Cooper might be the best skill player in the country.
According to Football Outsiders' Fremeau Efficiency Index (FEI), Alabama possesses the eighth-best offense in the country, which helps illustrate just how good the unit is. Some might look at the Tide being ranked 19th in total offense (484.8 YPG) and not be impressed.
When Lane Kiffin joined the Alabama coaching staff as the offensive coordinator, it became a bit of a joke, like Nick Saban's conquered college football, so now he's creating obstacles for himself by hiring Kiffin.
Over time, though, the Tide have had the last laugh. Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee argued that Kiffin's work hasn't gotten the proper credit it deserves:
"He took an offense to the next level with Sims—a quarterback who was largely considered to be a backup in the offseason. Kiffin has done it with creativity, flexibility and patience. He didn't give Sims too much too quickly or try to force too much into the game plan, and that's paying off for the Crimson Tide late in the season.
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Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson elaborated on some of the contrasts between the Alabama of 2013 and the Alabama of 2014.
"There are a lot of similarities in their formations from last year, but they're whole system is very different," he said, per Brandon Marcello of AL.com. "It's got a lot of pace in it, a real fast operation, a lot of zone read. The quarterback doesn't carry it a whole lot, but when he does, he's a threat to go the whole way."
As if being incredible on one side of the ball isn't enough, 'Bama also ranks fifth in total defense (283.5 YPG). Missouri isn't a particularly daunting offensive team, so it's hard to see how the Tigers will be able to consistently move the ball against the Crimson Tide.
Alabama does have a tendency to shoot itself in the foot, with a minus-one turnover differential entering Saturday. You could imagine a big fumble or interception turning the tide—no pun intended—and providing Missouri a lifeline.
The Book on Missouri
It's impressive that Missouri's been so successful this season despite Maty Mauk being a mostly average to below-average quarterback.
Mauk's performance has risen in recent weeks, but it's worth mentioning that Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas rank 61st, 35th and 53rd, respectively in pass defense. Also, only A&M has a winning record. That wasn't exactly a murderer's row of defenses.
Don't get me wrong. There should be some optimism among the Missouri faithful about Mauk, but major question marks remain as to whether he can win the game if the running game stalls. In his three career losses, the sophomore's gone a combined 48-of-94 for 677 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions.
There aren't any questions about his attitude, though. He said after the win over the Razorbacks that the perception surrounding his ability is far less important than winning football games, via Mihir Bhagat of KOMU 8 News in Columbia, Missouri:
Missouri doesn't need to have Mauk to have a huge game as long as Marcus Murphy and Russell Hansbrough help move the chains.
What offers the most hope for the Tigers is a defense ranked 10th in the FEI, according to Football Outsiders. Missouri's giving up 331.1 yards a game, 19th in the nation. The more pressure it can place on Blake Sims, the better off it will be.
Missouri's best strategy might be to out-ugly Alabama, which LSU nearly did back on Nov. 8. A slow, methodical style wouldn't be pretty, but it would likely produce results.
Les Miles' team pushed the Tide into overtime, eventually losing, 20-13, in overtime. The Tigers probably should've won, too, were it not for the porous defense on Alabama's game-tying drive.
LSU had no passing game to speak of, with Anthony Jennings going 8-of-26 for 76 yards. But the Tigers found a lot of success on the ground. Their cadre of running backs gained 183 yards on 56 carries. LSU possessed the ball for a little over 38 minutes, wore down the Tide defense and kept the Alabama offense off the field.
Gary Pinkel would be wise to follow that same blueprint.
Problems would arise, however, if Hansbrough and Murphy are consistently stifled by Alabama. Against Georgia, the duo combined for 64 rushing yards. Without a ground game to provide support, Mauk shouldered more of the burden and collapsed, going 9-of-21 and failing to break the century mark.
Not coincidentally, Missouri was shut out, 34-0, by the Bulldogs.
Note: All stats are courtesy of NCAA.com unless otherwise noted.
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