Florida Football: 3 Matchups to Watch in Conference Game vs. No. 3 Alabama

This weekend features many key conference games across the country that will begin to shape the outlook on the race for the National Championship.

No game is bigger than the SEC matchup between No. 3 Alabama and No. 12 Florida.

The winner of this game will make a big statement in the conference and nation in National Championship implications.

The loser can almost surely count themselves out of the race.

Here are three key matchups to watch in the SEC game between Alabama and Florida this weekend.

1. Alabama Front Seven vs. Florida Running Game

The Florida offense has relied heavily on running the ball in the early weeks of the season.

Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps have led the Gators to the ninth-ranked rushing offense in the nation.

Rainey has had the bulk of the carries picking up 441 yards over the first four weeks. Demps has been the big-play threat accumulating 320 yards so far.

The two will face their first real test this weekend against the Crimson Tide. Alabama is allowing only 45 rushing yards per game this season.

2. Florida Front Seven vs. Alabama Running Game

I'm sensing a trend here.

Alabama has always been a team that relies on tough defense and running the ball to win games.

The Tide have Heisman Trophy hopeful Trent Richardson and breakout star Eddie Lacy tearing up opposing defenses on a weekly basis.

Even the Penn State defense allowed nearly 200 rushing yards against these two monsters.

Florida will have their hands full this weekend, but they aren't too shabby at stopping the run either. This season they are only allowing 56 rushing yards per game.

3. Brantley vs. McCarron

The two will never actually be on the field at the same time, but this is the matchup that will likely decide the game.

Both Brantley and McCarron have had very similar seasons thus far. Neither has been fantastic, but both have gotten the job done.

The one who has the better game on Saturday will likely walk away with a win.

Both teams have top tier running backs and top tier defenses. Both also have average quarterbacks.

It may not even come down to which quarterback makes a big play. The one who doesn't make a mistake could be the difference maker.