Looks Like an Alabama-Florida Matchup for the SEC Crown

Following Florida's crushing defeat of Georgia, the only real business left is for Alabama to dispose of LSU's fast-falling hopes for an SEC Championship Game return.  Barring any unforeseen calamities, it will be the Tide and Gators facing off in Atlanta for the SEC Championship.

The Tide will be returning to the place where this season's magic began.  The fact that they return to Atlanta, probably as an underdog yet again, will not be lost on the players, fans, or coaches.  Can Alabama ride this season's fairy tale story all the way to the BCS title game?  That remains to be seen.

On the other side of the field, Florida comes in with one loss to a team the Tide disposed of.  So why may they be favored in the game?  Points, points, and more points.  The Gators score seemingly at will and are firing on all cylinders right now.  Tebow has rededicated himself to being the hardest-working player on the team and in all of America.

What was that?  Does that mean you were simply phoning it in against Ole Miss when you got spanked?  I wonder if he knows how this statement translates to others that don't look at the world through orange and blue-tinted glasses.

Alabama won't be impressed, intimidated, or awed by any of Florida's statistics.  They will simply line up, punch them in the mouth, and hope that after three-and-a-half quarters of that, they'll simply fall to their knees as many have so far this year.

Florida will no doubt try to do something that's only been accomplished for less than three minutes of playing time this year: Put the Tide in a hole and make them play a different game plan.  They will hope to turn this into a track meet for their offense using all the weapons that are there and all that speed.

It will, in fact, be the supreme test of Alabama's defense.

Speaking of defenses, what about Florida's?  It's good.  Florida's defense is giving up an average of about 12 points a game. In common opponents this year (Tenn., Ole Miss, Ark., Kent., and Georgia) the scores made and allowed go to Florida's favor 42-12.  The same teams for Alabama came up with a 32-17 score.

However, the biggest difference is not in the score, but the win column—there would be the difference that I'm basing a prediction on.  Alabama doesn't get a lot of "style points."  They just win. 

Alabama will find a way to win.  It may be an ugly win.  It may be with defense, a punt return, a big offensive play, or just a grind it out drive.  They don't care how—they'll just win. 

The Tide has had down days just like Florida, but the difference is they still won.  In the end, that's all that matters.  I'm going with the Tide in a squeaker, and then bring on Penn State, who's a little more tailor-made to be rolled by the Tide. 

With injuries and so much more, there's no telling which way the ball will bounce—but until it finally comes to rest, I'm betting on Alabama.