Alabama Football: 4 Reasons Why the Crimson Tide Will Chomp the Gators

Alabama vs. Florida.

That matchup has been the epic battle that has defined the SEC over the past few years and while the last two games have been landslide Alabama victories, this Saturday still has the feeling of electricity around it.

A lot has changed in this year's contest, but the one thing that hasn't changed is that the better team will be wearing crimson and white, again.

Alabama's Ground Game Is Florida's First Test

The Florida Gator defense is ranked in the top 10 against the rush. 

Teams are only averaging 27.5 yards per game on the ground against the Gators.

Impressive. Most Impressive.

That is, of course, until you look at the first four Florida opponents. Florida Atlantic, UAB and Tennessee are in the bottom four in the nation when it comes to running the football.

The best running team Florida has faced was last weekend against a terrible Kentucky team.

I have serious doubts about whether even a Will Muschamp coached team can contain the Alabama's one-two punch of Eddie Lacy and Trent Richardson.

Alabama bludgeoned Arkansas on the ground last week and personally speaking I felt Alabama didn't run the ball enough.

If Florida can't stop the Alabama ground game it will be a long night in "The Swamp."

Florida's First Year Offense Against Alabama's Stout Defense

Putting Charlie Weis' failure at Notre Dame aside, he has always come through as an offensive coach.

I do believe Florida is a much improved offensive football team compared to this point last season.

That being said, even the most talented teams and great offensive minds have trouble putting it all together when the system is new.

That's a recipe for disaster against this Alabama defense.

Arkansas, despite having an establish offensive identity with passing guru Bobby Petrino and this most talented team, failed to move the ball when it mattered against Alabama.

Statistically speaking, Florida is the best offense in the SEC right now, but so were the Razorbacks prior to facing the Crimson Tide.

Florida's Secondary Is Wet Behind the Ears

Florida has talent.

No one will doubt that.

In the secondary, though, it's young talent.

The Gators are starting two sophomores and two freshmen in the defensive backfield and much like the Gator rush defense, it has yet to be truly tested.

The best player they had to face was Tennessee's Justin Hunter and he was injured and out early in that game.

While young, they are aggressive, which fits Muschamp's persona. The Gators had six pass interference penalties against Tennessee.

Florida will catch a break of sorts considering Alabama's AJ McCarron is only making his fifth start and while he's been steady, we haven't seen him win a game for Alabama.

With Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks catching passes, I give a nice edge to Alabama as long as McCarron can make the right decisions.

Nick Saban vs. Will Muschamp: Teacher vs. Student

This has been much hype about the Muschamp vs. Saban angle.

In fact, their relationship has even traveled to a galaxy far, far away.

Saban struggled in his first season at Alabama. It takes time to change the current of a program and bring in the players and people you need to move forward.

Muschamp didn't inherit quite the mess that Saban did, but Florida was in disarray after 2010, after being a solid national title contender for four years under Urban Meyer.

Muschamp is a great coach and maybe a a great one at Florida, but this week he is going to endure another lesson from the man who gave him his big break.

Simply put, Florida is probably not where Muschamp wants it at this point, but on the other sideline Saban has a well oiled machine filled with custom made parts and the perfect fuel.

It will be a great game, but my gut says Alabama shall prevail.