2008 SEC Championship Preview: Part 3 of 3

South Eastern Conference

Championship Game

University of Florida vs. University of Alabama

Georgia Dome - Atlanta - Dec. 6

CBS-TV 4:00 EST

Assuming you have read Part 1 and Part 2 of this preview, it makes it easy for me to assume you know what word I'm about to use again.

Physical.

Saturday night, when you are switching over to the ABC Network and preparing to watch what certainly seems to be a lackluster Big 12 Championship game, you'll understand exactly what I mean by physical play. Especially when it comes to defense.

(That said, if you are one of the ones switching to HBO to watch "P.S. I Love You," hit your back button on your browser now. Saturday's SEC Championship isn't made for "date movie" fans.)

I'm a fan, so I can talk to you about how physical this Alabama team is going to be come Saturday.

Understand, I'm not trying to disparage the level of play the Gator football team has played with this year. But, when people talk of the Gators the term they use is flashy; "Saturday Night Fever" style of football.

Alabama, on the other hand, falls in to your "Road House" movie category as so aptly described in a satire just this past week.

Ex-Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said, "Alabama was the most physical team (they) had played in years."

Georgia coach Mark Richt was just as complimentary, in Richt's way of speaking.

But, considering Houston Nutt's Rebels have the distinction of playing both schools this year, and being the team that handed Florida its only loss, he is the best sounding board for this upcoming Championship game.

Alabama's Offense vs. Florida's Defense

If you want an exercise in futility, try to string together a sentence or two about the Alabama offense and make it sound eloquent.

I've never been one to consider Houston Nutt the most eloquent speaker in the SEC coaches line up, far better than Miles or Oregon, but his description of Alabama's offense is succinct, but accurate.

"Alabama is solid. That is the one word to describe them. They can run the ball, because they have an outstanding offensive line," Nutt said. "They have big, strong, fast guys and they are physical. They will run right at you. They have solid backs in Coffee, Upchurch, and Grant, but Coffee is the guy. Wilson doesn't make mistakes. He is going to throw it to his guys and especially to Julio Jones. And Julio is a difference maker."

With such a contrast in styles when comparing the two teams and their offense, it makes it a difficult task. But, you have to wonder what bearing that has on this game? To do so is lacking one fundamental thing.

There aren't two offenses on the field at the same time. Seems a waste of time, to me. So, we'll dispense of that line of reasoning looking at this game.

Let's get to specifics...

Nutt's Ole Miss team is one of the most improved teams in the SEC this season. He's battle-tested in the league, and understands the ins and outs of offenses and defenses.

If he were asked which is the most improved unit in the SEC, he'd likely point to one of the Florida Gators defensive units; their secondary.

The numbers stand alone. 26 interceptions so far this season should make offensive coordinators pause when considering how to attack this Florida defense. It's an imposing statistic to weigh until we remember what team the Gators are facing.

Alabama.

You've heard many analysts talk about where the Alabama passing attack ranks in the NCAA this season. It's near the bottom of the SEC in yards per game, certainly not even in the same universe as Texas Tech.

But, Alabama hasn't had to pass the ball.

It's clearly evident that the Alabama staff has a lot of confidence in John Parker Wilson and his ability to handle the passing game. The best example this year was probably the first play from scrimmage in overtime period vs. LSU.

Instead of relying on the running attack, it was a route called to Julio Jones who was stopped just short of the goal line. In overtime, on the road in Baton Rouge, against LSU (and you all know the story) they put the game in John Parker's hands.

Against Florida, and this is as simply put as I can make the statement...

Alabama won't have to pass the ball.

The one weakness, if there is one that can be pointed to, with Florida's defense it's found on their interior defensive line. For a team that looks loaded with talent from top to bottom, the one area it hasn't been able to stock is the tackle positions.

Then, you add the injuries they have sustained this year to the mix and this weakness becomes glaring.

Alabama's success this Saturday is found there.

Led by All-SEC center Antoine Caldwell and one of the best offensive lines in the nation Alabama is going to run the ball straight at the Florida Gators. You can expect Florida to have some success early on holding back the rushing attack at times. But, as this game goes on, you'll see the advantage lean more and more to Alabama's side.

By the second half, it's going to seem like Alabama can, and they will, run at leisure.

You put a group like Alabama's line on the field, couple it with the depth issues Florida faces, and you are going to see a game end like several others have this season for the Crimson Tide.

What's worked in the past, still works in the present, and will continue to work in the future no matter what "flashy offenses" may entertain fans.

Nick Saban vs. Urban Meyer

When Meyer made his move to the SEC several years ago, there were a handful who said the "spread option" attack wouldn't work because of the speed of the SEC defenses. They followed that with the caveat, "The only way it would work is if he has playmakers at every position."

He does. Meyer has taken perhaps the truest definition of a spread option attack and added some true play makers.

CBS announcer Gary Danielson described the two offenses on these terms.

"That's just because they (Crimson Tide) don't make ESPN highlights as easily. We get fascinated with big plays and football is more than that. I will say this, though: The Alabama sum is better than the parts. There's no doubt about that...They definitely play better as a unit than individually. If you look at Florida, their sum is the spread but that only highlights their parts. The spread gives you the parts that kill you. There's the contrast."

What makes this game so interesting is you have the offensive coach vs. the defensive coach.

If there was any doubt, and I don't suspect there was, that Nick Saban couldn't bring the Alabama team quickly to the top of the rankings in defensive terms those doubts have been pacified.

While Meyer was an unproven commodity, at the SEC level, Saban was a proven. And, as some expected (some feared) he's done that more quickly than expected.

Will Muschamp made the comment this week that seeing the Alabama defense "reminds me of the good old days." Alabama fans feel the same, Coach Muschamp.

But, going back to a coach who has faced both teams, Nutt describes this defense in these terms:

"Defensively is where they are at another level," Nutt said of UA. "Nick Saban is best at zeroing in on what you do offensively first and taking that away. He will make you try to play left-handed by taking away your best plays. He will give you some complicated coverages with Johnson at safety. They are so solid defensively they will make you go the long, hard way."

"He will try to make you play left-handed by taking..."

Ironic. Alabama is going to put this game in Tebow's hand. His left one, to be exact.

Just to put that in terms all fans will understand...

SEC Championship Game Prediction

I've been fortunate to see a lot of good defenses in my relatively short lifespan at Alabama.

As a child, I can recall what I saw in the 1970s, but not as vividly as I can the defense of the 1992 team.

By no means am I making a comparison between these two defenses (2008-1992) in terms of production, although comparisons can be made.

I'm talking about another factor. It's a factor that doesn't have a coach. It doesn't have a captain. It has no game plan, no drills to repeat in practices. It's a factor instilled, developed, and then utilized.

Some call it the "want to" factor. Today, I'm using the "it" factor.

I have never seen, or felt, the kind of mature intensity coming from this Alabama team in 2008 since 1992.

Sure, they hear and realize that the media is all piled on a bandwagon painted orange and blue.

They've taken notice.

But, while it does add that extra spark in preparation for the game, business remains as usual. They understand what needs to be done, what has to be done, and where they want to be.

This is a team that is going to come out Saturday and without spoken word, but proven actions, show Florida what has the Crimson Tide playing for the SEC Championship.

Frankly, Danielson hit on the deciding factor in this game without realizing he had.

The spread emphasizes some outstanding parts.

Alabama's sum, is greater than its parts.

Football is a team game.

Alabama Rolls!

31-24.