Florida vs. Alabama: National Championship, Act One

When you play in the SEC, the title game means a lot more than just winning a conference title. 

As if the stakes weren't already astronomical, as the winner becomes the best of the greatest conference in the land—the fact that the SEC title game has become a de facto National Semi-Final makes this game almost bigger than the BCS National Championship itself.

In fact, I believe the SEC should change it's championship game's title to the National Championship Game, Act One .

Depending on who you ask, the opposing team unlucky enough to play against the SEC Champ has no chance anyway, so they might as well go for it.

Obviously, I do not believe that is the case. I simply do not understand the thought process of someone saying that whichever team draws the SEC Champion in the BCS title game has no shot.

How can anyone favor an SEC Champion who will be playing in their second consecutive No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup? Well, for starters it's been done before.

As we all know, one year ago these same two teams met in Atlanta to play for the SEC championship. No. 1 Alabama faced off against No. 2 Florida. Florida won and went on to defeat Oklahoma a month later.

Does that mean that the winner of this game, No. 1 Florida or No. 2 Alabama, has the inside track on defeating Texas, TCU, or Cincinnati?

If you are taking into account that the winner of this title game will have played the toughest conference schedule in the nation and will have just defeated a top-ranked or No. 2 team, then yes, I'd say the winner of this one will have an advantage.

As an avid SEC watcher I can vouch for the fact that neither of these teams has seen an offense anywhere near as good as Texas.

Neither of these teams have faced a wide-open attack like Cincinnati can throw at you.

The name of TCU's game is defense, which I can assure you both of these teams have seen plenty of.

The fact that Florida or Alabama has not been tested like Texas or Cincy would test them almost eliminates any supposed advantage the SEC Champion may have.

The fact that neither Florida or 'Bama has been "setting the fields on fire" on the offensive side of the ball this season gives TCU an advantage as well.

Say what you want about the "mid-majors," but do not dare underestimate one or you do so at your peril. Cincinnati and/or TCU would have just as much of a shot at beating a disrespectful SEC foe as Texas would.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. There's still the ever-important matter of Act One; Scene One of the National Championship Game to take care of.

Who has the best shot at winning Saturday and advancing to play another No. 2 in a little over a month?

I have polled some dear friends on both sides of the conversation and I got a wide-ranging response from each.

The overwhelming response of the Alabama fans I talked to, fans I respect and who know what they're talking about, has been, "It's our year." Well, okay then.

I have actually felt that way for much of this season as well. From day one I predicted Alabama to win the national title this year. I predicted the SEC title game to come down to these two teams again, with 'Bama taking their turn on the winner's podium.

Alabama has a strong defense and an adequate offense with a heisman candidate touching the ball 25 times a game. That fact alone holds more water than, "It's our year."

The Florida fans I talked to say one thing—Tim Tebow.

Really? Is that all you can say, Gator fans? Well not exactly. Florida fans can say Brandon Spikes, Joe Hadon, and Major Wright as well.

But in the end, I cannot dispute the fact that it all comes down to one thing, or rather, one person—Tim Tebow.

Sorry Tide fans. I love ya, but you do not have Tim Tebow.

Four seasons of watching no one stop him leads me to believe Florida has the advantage in this game. Sure, I've seen many teams slow him down, giving that team a shot at defeating Florida and in some cases actually pulling it off.

But as we all know, that hasn't happened since the Ole Miss game last year when Tebow made the impassioned speech that now lives in infamy.

This will by no means be a blowout either way. This will once again be a hard-fought, defensive struggle that will come down to the final minutes.

I expect special teams to play a huge role as well.

In the end, however, Tim Tebow gets it done yet again.

I believe Florida wins Act One on a late, fourth-quarter touchdown, 20-16.

What will the Gators do in Act Two ?