Alabama vs. Florida: Game Grades, Analysis for Tide

The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide improved to 13-0 and won their third consecutive SEC Championship on Saturday night with a 54-16 win over the No. 15 Florida Gators. In the final conference title to be played in the Georgia Dome, the Crimson Tide shook off a slow start and used big plays by their defense to jump-start the victory. 

Alabama got touchdowns off an interception and a blocked punt to give the nation's top-ranked team a 16-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Crimson Tide's defense took over in the second half, allowing just 70 offensive yards and 0 points. Alabama likely secured its spot in the College Football Playoff, which will be announced Sunday afternoon.

Pass Offense

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Alabama's passing game was not needed on Saturday, but that did not stop Lane Kiffin and company from trying. The Crimson Tide attempted 20 passes against Florida, with only four of them coming in the second half. Quarterback Jalen Hurts finished with 138 yards and one touchdown on 11 completions. The freshman connected with five different receivers throughout the game. Most importantly, Hurts did not throw an interception, which was the first time he avoided a turnover against an SEC opponent since Kentucky on October 1. 

Gehrig Dieter was the man who caught a touchdown pass, giving the Tide a 23-9 lead in the second quarter. Calvin Ridley, OJ Howard and ArDarius Stewart all exceeded 40 yards receiving 

Grade: B

Rush Offense

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Alabama ran the ball 26 times for 174 yards in the second half, helping the Tide clinch another SEC title. It was the Crimson Tide running backs that led the way, all following Bo Scarbrough. The Tuscaloosa native finished the day with 91 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Damien Harris led the team with a 10.8 yards per carry average, finishing with 86 yards on just eight carries. Derrick Gore and Joshua Jacobs each had a rushing touchdown before the end of the night. 

The rushing attack's biggest victory was getting out of the game without doing damage to itself. Hurts did not see many designed runs and finished the game with just eight carries. The runners did not fumble against Florida after putting the ball on the ground four times during last week's Iron Bowl. 

Grade: A

Pass Defense

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Florida quarterback Austin Appleby went 6-of-7 on the game's opening drive, leading to a touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway. After that, Alabama's defense turned it on. Appleby completed just five of his next 12 passes, which included three interceptions. Shaun Dion Hamilton had the first interception, which led to a field goal to open the Tide's scoring. Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass on Florida's next drive and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown to give Alabama the lead. Tony Brown got his first career interception in the first half.

Alabama's pass rush did not get to the quarterback often but still managed to record eight quarterback hurries and four sacks, according to ESPN.com. SEC Championship Game MVP Reuben Foster finished with two sacks, while Jonathan Allen added 1.5 sacks in the fourth quarter. 

The Gators still finished with 261 passing yards, and both of their touchdowns came through the air. 

Grade: B+

Rush Defense

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Alabama's rush defense put together another dominant performance on Saturday. The defense combined for five tackles behind the line of scrimmage against the run, led by Minkah Fitzpatrick's 1.5 tackles for a loss. Florida ran the ball 30 times and finished with zero rushing yards. The Gators lost 28 yards on sacks, but the running backs could never get going for Florida. They finished with an average of just 2.3 yards per carry. If 30 carries for zero yards is not impressive enough, Alabama held Florida to minus-nine rushing yards on 20 carries in the second half. 

Grade: A+

Special Teams

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Alabama had a couple of low points in the kicking game but had an overall good night on special teams. Adam Griffith had an extra point blocked and ran back for two points and he also missed a 40-yard field goal in the second half. The senior kicker did make two field goals in the first half.

The special teams unit got the Crimson Tide going in the first quarter when reserve running back Derrick Gore blocked a Florida punt. Joshua Jacobs, another reserve running back, picked it up and ran 27 yards for the touchdown. Punt returner Trevon Diggs had a good outing when he got the ball, averaging 30 yards on three returns. 

Grade: A-

Coaching

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Nick Saban just led Alabama to a third consecutive SEC Championship, so it may be hard to find too much to criticize. There may have been some fans booing in the first half because of the offensive play-calling, but the Tide has been making a living off that system this season. Short passes and busted plays in the first half help open up the running game, and Bo Scarbrough took over in the second half. Lane Kiffin may have coached in his last SEC Championship Game, and his offense has averaged 42 points per game in the last three title games. 

Grade: A