Alabama Vs Florida: Looking Back Over The Last 20 Years

Alabama.

Florida.

Spurrier, Stallings, Alexander, Wuerffel, Langham, Saban, Meyer, Tebow.

The two most dominate names in the SEC.

We have to stop meeting like this.

Arguably, over the past 20 years this seems to have been the most epic match up between two schools in the SEC and once again we are set for another monumental clash this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Let's take a look back at some of the contests in rivalry that for the past two years, has produced college football's national champion.

1990 Florida 17 Alabama 13

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

15 Sep 1990: Running back Erict Rhett of the Florida Gators tries to avoid tackles during a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Florida won the game 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

It was 1990 and a new SEC coach was looking to serve notice as to who was boss. No, it wasn't Gene Stallings at Alabama, it was Steve Spurrier at Florida.

After a successful run at Duke, yes, Duke, Spurrier was hired as the head ball coach in Gainesville and served his first big win by beating an injury depleted Alabama team 17-13 in Tuscaloosa.

1992 SEC Championship Alabama 28 Florida 21

In 1992 the SEC would set the precedent for how a conference title should be decided with the first ever SEC Championship Game in Birmingham.

In only his third year as the head man in Tuscaloosa, Gene Stalling had assembled a defense that would be the standard to which every Alabama fan would compare defenses in the future. It was obvious that the Tide relied on their D to win. The offense was just adequate with freshmen QB Jay Barker and a solid running game featuring Derrick Lassic.

As a result of going 11-0, Alabama was ranked #2 in the nation and facing the #12 Florida Gators. In fact, I think most reluctantly ranked the Tide #2, as the Gators, who were 8-3, were 1.5 point favorites over Alabama.

This game was a back and forth duel from the start. Florida mounted an opening drive score capped by a 5 yard touchdown run by Eric Rhett. Alabama matched them with a drive of their own as Lassic broke the end zone from 3 yards out.

It would go on like this until the pivotal moment that would go down in Alabama lore forever.

Tied at 21-21, Florida had the ball with 3:00 remaining and all the momentum. Shane Matthews dropped back and threw a pass that Antonio Langham intercepted the pass and took it to the house, setting up a showdown with Miami in the Sugar Bowl and what would be Alabama's 12 National Title.

This game set the standard.

It was a classic and truly in my opinion, is right up there with the 2008 classic, probably even better.

1993 SEC Championship Florida 28 Alabama 13

The 1993 SEC Championship Game featured a rematch between  #9 Florida and #16 Alabama. Alabama was the representative of the Western Division, but not because they won it.

Auburn, who finished the season 11-0 was on probation and disallowed from participating in the game due to a bowl ban.

So, on a cold, rainy day in Birmingham, Terry Dean and Florida controlled Alabama throughout and took over the crown of the SEC.

This would be the last title game played in Birmingham. The poor weather and quite honestly, out of date facility in Legion Field, cause the SEC to move the game to Atlanta and the Georgia Dome, which was the right move.

1994 SEC Championship Florida 24 Alabama 23

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

3 DEC 1994: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COACH STEVE SPURRIER IS HOISTED TO THE SHOULDERS OF FLORIDA PLAYER JEROME EVANS #34, LEFT, AFTER THE GATORS BEAT ALABAMA 24-23 TO WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE GEORGIA DOME IN ATLANTA. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinge

For the third straight year it was Alabama vs Florida in the SEC Championship game, the rubber match, if you will.

Alabama was ranked #3 and Florida #6. The Tide, at 11-0 was possibly looking at a shot at the national title, while Florida, at 9-1-1 was looking to take the next step under Spurrier.

This was another back and forth classic match up.

Alabama struck first with a long TD pass from Jay Barker to Curtis Brown to take a 7-0 lead, but Danny Wuerffel and company would take a 17-10 lead into the half.

The Tide would "dominate" the third quarter with 2 field goals, but credit Florida and their red zone D. That was probably the difference in the game as it set up Dwayne Rudd's go ahead interception return that put Bama up 22-17. Gene Stallings elected to kick the extra point to go up 23-17, but it would not be enough.

Despite being held in check by the Tide D, Wuerffel would lead a 10 play 80 yard drive capped with touchdown pass to to Chris Doering to take a 24-23 lead with just over 5:00 remaining.

Florida would intercept Alabama late to seal the victory in one the top clashes in the SEC title game.

1996 SEC Championship Florida 45 Alabama 30

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

7 Dec 1996: Coach Steve Spurrier of Florida celebrates with his team after defeating Alabama in the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. Florida defeated Alabama 45-30. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman/Allsport

After a 1 year absence Alabama returned to Atlanta to face Florida again, but this time Alabama was really no match.

This was a special season for the Gators, led by eventual Heisman trophy winner Danny Wuerffel. He would hook up with his favorite target, Reidel Anthony 11 times for 171 yards and 3 touchdowns. Overall he threw for 401 yards and SIX touchdowns en route to a resounding 45-30 victory over the Tide.

Florida would go one to face Florida State in the Sugar Bowl and thump the Seminoles 52-24 to capture the school's first ever National Championship.

1999 Alabama 40 Alabama 39 OT

After a devastating home loss to Louisiana Tech, Alabama's head coach Mike Dubose seemed to have his head on the chopping block as he took the Tide to Gainesville for what seemed like an impossible task.

Defeat Florida in "The Swamp".

Not many would give the Tide a chance in Florida, especially since the Gators were riding a 31 game home winning streak.

Unfortunately for Florida fans, Alabama would be "on" that day and this game would go down in Alabama history unlike many others.

Like many other Florida vs Alabama games, this too would be a back and forth match. Florida's fun and gun with QB Jesse Palmer would be matched by the running and throwing of Alabama's Andrew Zow and Shaun Alexander.

Still with all the offense, this game would be decided by missed, made, and penalized extra points.

Florida scored first in the OT period, but missed their extra point.

On Alabama's first play from scrimmage, Alexander would scamper around the left side led by Chris Samuels and go 25 yards for the TD. The extra point, too, would be missed.

But...

An offsides penalty on Florida allowed Alabama the chance to take the PAT again and this time, Chris Kemp, the back up kicker, would somehow sneak the second chance through and help Alabama pull off the upset, setting up, eventually, a re-match with the Gators in the SEC title game.

1999 SEC Championship Alabama 34 Florida 7

Once again, in Atlanta, the Tide and Gators would butt heads, but this was a re-match and a chance for revenge for Florida after Alabama's stunning overtime victory earlier in the season.

This one, though, would not be much of a contest.

Alabama would hold Florida lowest amount of passing yards, completions, and first downs in the Spurrier era.

It was close on the scoreboard for 3 quarters, but Alabama was clearly in control and would blow it open in the 4th with a spectacular play WR Freddie Milons and an INT return by Reggie Grimes.

This would be the lone bright spot in the Mike Dubose era as he would be fired in 2000.

2005 Alabama 31 Florida 3

Urban Meyer's first season the SEC would be rough at times, but none would be was bad as the 31-3 thumping Florida took in Tuscaloosa.

Yes, this game was a blowout and yes it was not a classic title bout.

For me, the most significant thing to happen in this game is probably one of the saddest moments I've ever seen as a college football fan.

Alabama's star wideout Tyrone Prothro would break his leg in the 4th quarter of this game. It would be the last time he ever played football in his career.

Prothro was a difference maker, a special type of player. His behind the back of the defender, flip over in the end zone catch against Southern Miss is probably one of the greatest catches in the history of college football.

He was dynamic against Florida and was probably about to emerge as a Heisman candidate until the injury.

It's been debated whether or not he should have even been in the game at that point with Alabama up 31-3 with 10:00 remaining.

For my money, it was just one of many idiotic decisions in the Mike Shula era.

2008 SEC Championship Florida 31 Alabama 20

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 06: The Florida Gators celebrate their 31-20 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship on December 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Saban vs. Meyer.

"The Promise".

#1 vs. #2.

Could this game have had any more hype?

Yes, because it lived up to all the expectations of what many considered to be the true national title game of the year.

An instant classic yes. Surely a day like no other for the Florida Gator faithful and truly a day of heartache for Tide fans everywhere.

Two opposing styles. The spread offense of Florida vs the old school pounding mentality of Alabama.

Like many other titles games before featuring these two scores it would go back and forth.

Alabama would dominate the third quarter and go on what seemed to be a championship drive. a 15 play, 91 yard drive capped with a 2 yard Mark Ingram TD run that would tie the game with a PAT. Alabama would drive again, but be stopped short of the end zone and settle for a 20-17 lead.

With all the momentum seemingly on Alabama's side, Tebow took over.

Despite the play of Alabama's defense, Tim Tebow played lights out. Making the throws and plays needed.

With Florida driving in the 4th, Alabama had the Gators in a 3rd and 4 situation on the Tide 46. Jeffrey Demps seemed to be stopped short of the 1st, but a 15 yard face mask penalty gave Florida the 1st and they didn't need any help. Tebow led them to the go ahead score.

Alabama could not respond and Tebow put the Tide away for good with an 8 play 65 yard scoring drive capped by a TD pass to Riley Cooper.

Lights out, game over.

Florida would go one to beat Oklahoma in the BCS title game and capture the school's 3rd National Championship.

2009 SEC Championship Alabama 32 Florida 13

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 05: Members of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate after defeating the Florida Gators 31-13 during the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome on December 5, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The re-match.

Saban vs. Meyer 2.

#1 vs. #2.

Again, the college football epicenter came to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and again the SEC hosted what would seem to be another playoff game for the BCS title.

Alabama had a year to think about the stinging loss they sustained on the same field in the 08 game and did they ever repay Florida.

Alabama never trailed in this football game. They jumped out to a 9-0 lead and a 19-13 halftime advantage.

Alabama was a 11-15 on 3rd down in this game and blew it open with 2 long time consuming drives. One was finished by a beautiful 17 yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy to Colin Peek. The second, an 88 yard drive, was capped by Mark Ingram's third TD of the game.

Florida never had the answers for Alabama in this game and the Tide marched on to Pasadena to face Texas and win their 13th National Title, but not before Alabama running back Mark Ingram would win the school's first ever Heisman trophy.

Will this next match up add to the most important rivalry in college football today? No, it doesn't have the history that others do, but the past two years and possibly here in 2010 it seems that no other duel could quite possibly hold the weight that Alabama/Florida does and who knows, maybe like in 1999, we could get to see it twice in the same year.