SEC Championship 2015: Biggest Keys to Victory in Alabama vs. Florida Battle
The Alabama Crimson Tide is likely one win away from earning a spot in the College Football Playoff, but the Florida Gaotrs will not give up a chance at the SEC Championship without a fight.
As usual for this conference, the title game will feature plenty of importance when it comes to the national title race. The Crimson Tide have been dominant over the past few months, and a victory should be enough to remain in the top four of the rankings. Considering the 16-point spread, per Odds Shark, many expect this to be an easy victory for Nick Saban's squad.
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However, the Gators aren't quite a directional school you beat up early in the season. Florida has one of the best defenses in the country and earned a 10-2 record. It also dominated an Ole Miss squad that defeated Alabama.
Each team has a chance to come away with a win and a conference title, but it will have to follow these keys to victory.
Alabama
Win Turnover Battle
Florida struggles offensively, but the squad has been able to win games thanks to the work of the defense. The unit not only shuts down offenses and forces a lot of punts, but it is also extremely active in creating turnovers.
The Gators are among the best in the nation with a plus-10 turnover margin thanks mostly to 14 interceptions and 10 fumbles recovered by the defense. Cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves and Jalen Tabor are especially dangerous with their ability to make a play on the football when it is in the air.
This puts a lot of pressure on Alabama quarterback Jake Coker, who has played well without turning many heads this season. ESPN's Peter Burns had an interesting take on the senior:
After throwing six interceptions in the first six games of the year, the final six games have only featured two picks. He is keeping his completion percentage high while continuing the trend of easy, safe passes. This is all he needs to do with the talent he has around him.
Still, this will likely be the biggest challenge Coker faces all year. Florida can create pressure and force anyone into making mistakes. If the quarterback gives up the ball and the defense can't get it back, it will give the Gators a chance to pull off the upset.
Finish in Red Zone
Alabama struggled early in the Iron Bowl due to the inability to finish drives with touchdowns. The Crimson Tide held just a 12-6 halftime lead over Auburn thanks to four field goals, including two from 26 yards out.
While the No. 2 team in the nation was able to eventually pull away in the second half, a team of this caliber should not have had that much trouble against an opponent that was clearly overmatched, rivalry or not.
The plan for much of the season in the red zone has been to hand it to Derrick Henry, and let him march into the end zone. This has worked most of the time, although it might be necessary to get a little more creative against Florida.
Not only are the Gators solid against the run, but they have allowed touchdowns on just half of the 26 red-zone opportunities for opposing teams. Even when they bend, they refuse to break and give up seven points when they can hold you to three.
If Alabama can't get touchdowns, Florida will be able to hang around much longer than anticipated.
Florida
Slow Down Derrick Henry
It is almost an impossible feat to stop Henry. The current Heisman Trophy favorite enters the week as the nation's leading rusher at 1,797 yards to go with 22 touchdowns, also a best in Division I.
"He’s the real deal," Florida coach Jim McElwain said this week, per Jesse Simonton of the Miami Herald. "Hopefully we’re not just a speed bump in the road."
With an average of 6.1 yards per carry and at least a touchdown in every game, Florida won't be able to completely take Henry out of the game unless they play with 15 men on the field. However, this defense does have the ability to at least slow him down.
The Gators come into the SEC title game ranked No. 7 in the nation against the run while allowing just 3.3 yards per carry. The linebacking corps knows how to tackle while players like Jonathan Bullard and Bryan Cox cause havoc in the backfield from the defensive line.
If these players can close the holes that are usually wide open for Henry, Florida has a chance to prevent the huge gains we are used to seeing. Considering how much of Alabama's offense is dependent on the running back, this will be a huge factor in Saturday's game.
Protect the Quarterback
This will likely be the biggest challenge for Florida offensively. In reality, if the offensive line doesn't protect the quarterback, it will be a struggle to get any points in this game.
Alabama comes into the game with 41 sacks, third most in college football. Jonathan Allen has been a force all year, but the challenge for opposing offenses is the fact anyone can come in on a blitz and get to the quarterback. This includes linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties coming from all angles.
This is bad news for Treon Harris because the likelihood is that he will be under pressure all game long. While the Crimson Tide are third in the nation at getting sacks, Florida is No. 116 in sacks allowed with 37 on the season. Harris does have mobility, but he has had nowhere to go most of the time.
The Gators offense has been pitiful in recent weeks, especially in the recent loss to Florida State, where the team managed just 262 yards of offense and the only points coming on a safety.
Whether this means the team will have to keep in more blockers or the line simply has to step up and do its job remains to be seen, but if Harris remains under pressure all game the outcome will not be great.
Stats courtesy of NCAA.com and official school websites.
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