Alabama vs. Florida: 5 Halftime Adjustments the Gators Must Make

Florida's pass offense has looked pretty solid so far. They came out swinging with the long touchdown pass on big-time corner Dre Kirkpatrick on their first drive.

But where in the world is the run game?

Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps have been non-existant so far, and they will not come back and win this game without those two. Speaking of running backs, Bama's Trent Richardson is having a field day on them. That's something the Gators really need to work on at halftime.

Here are the five big adjustments Florida must make to come back and beat Alabama:

1. Keep Attacking the Secondary

That plan worked on the first play from scrimmage when they burned Kirkpatrick for that long touchdown. Am I crazy to call for more long passes? Maybe. I know the Alabama defense is tough, but extending the field is only going to make it easier on Florida’s incredible running backs.

The Alabama DBs are big and athletic, but speed may be the determining factor in this game. If they can continue to do their part in the passing game, eventually the running game will get a chance to get going and bring them back.

2. Find a Way to Stop Richardson

He's going to be given the ball all night and he's going to make plays all night. Unless the Gators can find a way to stop him. He's been running all over the defense already, and if it doesn't stop, it's over, honestly. Mix up the defensive scheme and have a linebacker spying on Richardson at all times.

Stacking the box is a decent option, especially at this point. The Alabama passing game hasn't been all that impressive and it's completely revolving around Richardson. Take that away from them, and the game suddenly becomes a whole lot easier.

3. Establish That Running Game

 And then run for days. The two-headed monster of Rainey and Demps is almost unfair on opposing defenses, even one as good as the Crimson Tide. So once that field has been extended via the passing game, unleash the beast and hit those holes to put away the #3 team in the nation.

Obviously, the passing game has been good but not good enough. It needs that rushing attack to complement it if they want to put some more points on the board and overcome the deficit. The coaching staff must find a way to get the running backs involved in successful schemes.

4. Pressure McCarron 

So far, Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron hasn’t looked very sharp when he’s got people coming at him. It’s dangerous to bring the house when a guy like Richardson is in the backfield, but even if a blitz just comes on an obvious passing down, it might lead to a big turnover. Every time the Gator defense has made him uncomfortable, he's forced a pass.

If Alabama gets the passing game going, along with what Richardson is doing, Florida will be in trouble. They need to stack the box anyway to stop the running game, so maybe try throwing a couple blitzes in at the quarterback and get him off his game a little bit. A turnover would do wonders for the crowd involvement and momentum.

5. Amp Up the Special Teams

Caleb Sturgis doesn’t miss, so that isn't the problem. But Marquis Maze of Alabama has had a couple huge returns and if they don’t get to him sooner on the kicks, he might break one off. Perhaps even scarier is the prospect of having that offense start with great field position on every possession.

The last thing the Gators want is to claw their way back into this game, cut into the lead and then let a huge momentum shifter like a big return ruin it all. Florida has been pretty solid in almost every aspect of this game, but you have to be better than that against Bama. A complete effort on offense and defense won't be enough. The coverage team needs to be excellent too.