Florida Gators 2011: How the Gators Will Beat Alabama on Saturday

Florida has gotten through their first month as expected. The Gators began the season handling their lesser opponents, FAU and UAB, only allowing three points total in both games. They then took care of business inside the conference, extending their winning streaks over Tennessee and Kentucky to seven and 25 respectively. Anything less than the 4-0 start Florida has gotten off to would have been a disappointment. Now the real test begins. 

The Gators begin their October gauntlet on Saturday, against a very talented, tough, experienced Alabama team. 

Expect a low-scoring and quick game with both teams trying to get their running games going against defenses that have been stellar against the run. The game will match up the two best run defenses in the SEC. Alabama and Florida are also the second and fourth-ranked scoring defenses respectively. 

This will be the fourth time in as many years the Gators and Crimson Tide will play, with Bama winning the last two meetings. Florida will be looking to avenge the 31-6 beating they took last year in Tuscaloosa. The Gators will need to bring their A-game if they want to defend the Swamp and remain undefeated. 

Here's how they will do that.

Big Games from Both Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey

Jeff Demps has run the 100-meter dash in a school record 9.96 seconds. He showed off that speed against Kentucky.

The Gators continued to concentrate on running the ball and putting the ball in their two best playmakers hands. Demps ran the ball 10 times for 157 yards and two TDs. Chris Rainey ran the ball 15 times for 105 yards. This marked the first time that Florida had two 100-yard rushing performances in the same game since the 2009 national championship game when Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin managed the same feat. 

The Gators have had most, if not all, of their offensive success through these two players, and they will continue to focus on them against Bama. 

Kentucky did a good job of shutting down the Gators passing to the flats, and it allowed Brantley to air the ball out a little more. Being able to stretch the field vertically will open up more running lanes for the duo of speedy backs. 

Look for Charlie Weiss to get creative in how he will use Demps and Rainey. Muschamp hinted that the way Demps and Rainey get the ball will be less than conventional. Muschamp stated that "whether it’s from the slot, from outside, matching up on a linebacker on a vertical route—the touches we get them could be different and not as conventional as we’ve seen to this point.” 

Alabama has only allowed one rushing TD and 183 yards on the ground the entire season. Getting creative with Demps and Rainey will be the only way Florida can get their playmakers going against a strong Bama defense. Look for Charlie Weiss to add a wrinkle to this offense that we haven't seen this season. 

Protect John Brantley

The Gators offensive line has performed better than expected this season. The Gators offensive line have only given up two sacks through the first four games. 

The unit is being led by redshirt senior transfer Dan Wenger. Wenger transferred from Notre Dame after sitting out last season due to suffering two concussions. Wenger has been an invaluable asset for Weiss and this offensive line. After playing in Weiss' complicated blocking scheme, Wenger has helped the younger offensive linemen pick up the offense. 

For the Gators to come away with a win on Saturday, the line will need to give John Brantley time to pass and dominate an experienced Alabama defensive front.

Continue To Dominate against the Run

The Gators' front seven have dominated their opponents on the ground. The Gators have given up 226 rushing yards this season. Kentucky ran for 134 yards but was mostly on QB scrambles than designed running plays. 

Alabama relies on their running game to move the ball and for most of their offense. Junior Trent Richardson is a Heisman candidate and will provide a true test for the Gators.

If the Gators can shut down the running game, they will force Bama to become one dimensional. If the Gators can slow down or stop the running game, that will put more pressure on sophomore AJ McCarron to shoulder the load. His inexperience could be what the Gators can take advantage of and come away with a win against Alabama. 

The Young Secondary Must Stay Honest against Play-Action Passes

Alabama is a power-running team, that uses their rushing attack to create a passing game. Florida's young secondary must stay honest in their coverage scheme and not bite for the play-action pass. 

The Gators are very young in the secondary, starting two true sophomores and two true freshmen, but they have two SEC games under their belts and will need to be ready come Saturday. 

Dont Give Up the Big Play

Alabama has its share of playmakers, most notably Marquis Maze. Maze returns punts and kicks and is the Crimson Tide's leading receiver. The Gators need to key in on the playmaker and contain him on special teams and offense.

On special teams, Maze has returned a punt for a TD and averages 16.84 yards per punt return. On kick returns, Maze is equally impressive, averaging 29.5 yards per return. Adding up his contributions on special teams and offense, Maze averages 151.5 yards per game. The Gators will look to limit what Maze can do on offense and use a rotation of their young corners to slow him down on offense. 

Create Pressure on the Young Quarterbacks of Alabama

When it comes to creating pressure, the Gators started slow, but have picked up some steam going into the Alabama game. 

The return of Sharrif Floyd has seemingly energized the defensive front. In Floyd's absence, the Gators managed only two sacks and no interceptions through two games. After Floyd's return, the Gators have recorded seven sacks and four interceptions in two games. 

The key has been creating pressure when only bringing four players and outstanding linebacker play. Ronald Powell has found himself since being called out by coach Will Muschamp. Dominique Easley continues to play with possibly the highest motor in college football and a lightning quick first step. Jelani Jenkins and Jon Bostic have provided the young defense with experience and leadership. 

If the Gators can slow down the running game and create pressure, look for the Gators to continue their streak of multiple turnover games against the Tide.