The Best SEC Championship Game Ever?

This weekend we will witness what could very well be the greatest SEC Championship game ever! It is easily the most hyped already.

In recent weeks many pundits, fans, and prognosticators, myself included, have given the Tide no chance against the Gators' vaunted attack.

I have come to change that opinion, however.

I firmly believe that despite Florida’s offensive power, Tebow’s playmaking ability, and Harvin’s speed, Alabama will make this game about defense.

Alabama has won 12 games that way. Of course, when you jump out to a huge first-half lead it makes holding on to that much easier. But this Alabama team has stopped good offenses already this season.

The Tide virtually shut Georgia down in the first half. The same goes with Ole Miss and Clemson. The rest of its schedule left much to be desired, though.

Some believe the lack of a decent schedule for Alabama contributed to the undefeated season. While that might be partially true, this is the SEC. There is no such thing as a cupcake schedule when you play eight SEC teams.

All Florida has done is virtually destroy almost every team in its path this season. Sure the Gators had the misstep at home against a much-improved Ole Miss squad. But in the eight games since that loss, Florida has outscored its opponents 414-97.

Competition which included then-No. 4 LSU and No. 6 Georgia, the No. one-ranked defense in the land, South Carolina, and an improving Florida State team.

On paper this really shouldn’t be much of a game.

That’s why they don’t play games on paper.

There are many other factors in this game. Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, arguably two of the best coaches in America, will make this a game to remember.

Throw out the stats, the gaudy offensive numbers, and the blinding speed.

Throw out lack of all of the above for Alabama.

This game will come down to defense, as is usually the case in the SEC. This Bama defense will not allow Florida to just blast off after the coin toss.

I expect a gritty, close, incredible game in Atlanta on Saturday.

In the end, I believe Florida’s “D” will come up with a key turnover late in the game to win it 24–20.  

Of course now that I predicted a slug-fest Alabama will score 31 in the first half, and Florida will outscore them 40-0 in the second half.

Either way it’s going to be one of the better SEC Championship games in recent memory.