Thread: ROLL TIDE ! ! ! !

Originally Posted by ***COMMANDER***

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

Originally Posted by CivilWars

Looks like all that heart got them a 5 point win over a mediocre Auburn team. Ideal scenario is FSU beats Florida, Florida beats Bama, Texas beats Nebraska, and Texas and TCU play for the national championship.

I don't even put stock into these rivalry games, in any conference. Just my opinion.

Yea, no joke.... That rivalry goes deeper than most can imagine.... It's probably one of the most furious rivalries on earth.... Sounds good huh?

I hope Alabama puts the whomp on Florida, because somebody needs to beat Texas and we got the team to do it perhaps.

I think Alabama will give it 300% in a championship, that they have long awaited for.

In all honesty, it wouldnt have surprised me to see Auburn beat Bama by 21. Wouldn't surprise me if Florida State beat Florida tonight....these rivalry games are hardcore. Not just SEC games either...any conference.

Originally Posted by ***COMMANDER***

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

Originally Posted by CivilWars

Looks like all that heart got them a 5 point win over a mediocre Auburn team. Ideal scenario is FSU beats Florida, Florida beats Bama, Texas beats Nebraska, and Texas and TCU play for the national championship.

I don't even put stock into these rivalry games, in any conference. Just my opinion.

Yea, no joke.... That rivalry goes deeper than most can imagine.... It's probably one of the most furious rivalries on earth.... Sounds good huh?

I hope Alabama puts the whomp on Florida, because somebody needs to beat Texas and we got the team to do it perhaps.

I think Alabama will give it 300% in a championship, that they have long awaited for.

Lol, Im pretty sure Texas, unlike Auburn, can cover a drag route. I couldnt believe after about the 10th time Jones ran that route someone on the Auburn sideline didnt even attempt to adjust to it. Bama isnt there yet, its only year 3 under Saban and he didnt inherit a loaded bench, give it time. Florida will likely play Texas, and then I stop predicting, because Muschamp is Florida kryptonite.

Originally Posted by SJA

Originally Posted by ***COMMANDER***

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

Originally Posted by CivilWars

Looks like all that heart got them a 5 point win over a mediocre Auburn team. Ideal scenario is FSU beats Florida, Florida beats Bama, Texas beats Nebraska, and Texas and TCU play for the national championship.

I don't even put stock into these rivalry games, in any conference. Just my opinion.

Yea, no joke.... That rivalry goes deeper than most can imagine.... It's probably one of the most furious rivalries on earth.... Sounds good huh?

I hope Alabama puts the whomp on Florida, because somebody needs to beat Texas and we got the team to do it perhaps.

I think Alabama will give it 300% in a championship, that they have long awaited for.

Lol, Im pretty sure Texas, unlike Auburn, can cover a drag route. I couldnt believe after about the 10th time Jones ran that route someone on the Auburn sideline didnt even attempt to adjust to it. Bama isnt there yet, its only year 3 under Saban and he didnt inherit a loaded bench, give it time. Florida will likely play Texas, and then I stop predicting, because Muschamp is Florida kryptonite.

Same Texas defense that got blasted for all those TD's by the A&M quarterback? SEC gets their 4th national title in 4 years....twice in a row over a big 12 team....if Texas even makes it in....

Yea, I would like Florida to get whipped, so Texas and Alabama get to Battle for the Pigskin.

I watched half of the Texas vs. Aggies game and I personally think that Texas is the team most overrated at the moment in the top 5. Most of the plays that they did make would never fly against a defence like Florida or Alabama. My only prediction at this point is that the SEC champion will also be the national champion.

Originally Posted by Nuckle

I watched half of the Texas vs. Aggies game and I personally think that Texas is the team most overrated at the moment in the top 5. Most of the plays that they did make would never fly against a defence like Florida or Alabama. My only prediction at this point is that the SEC champion will also be the national champion.

Was there every any doubt?

Originally Posted by ***COMMANDER***

Yea, I would like Florida to get whipped, so Texas and Alabama get to Battle for the Pigskin.

Like generally doesnt meet up with reality. Heres a biased opinion on the matter that may help you see reality.

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Alabama runs the table in the regular season, then has to go through Florida and Tim Tebow in order to avoid a Sugar Bowl matchup with a school from a lesser conference.

If it sounds familiar, it is so, of course, because everyone was talking about the same scenario 12 months ago. Bama fans are talking about something else this year, too – how to avoid a fourth-quarter collapse against Florida that ends up sending the Crimson Tide to a date in the Sugar Bowl against a smaller team with something to prove.

There is one thing abundantly clear, given how the SEC operated this year: The two best teams, by far, are in Atlanta. There is no controversy there. Alabama was clearly the class of the SEC West and Florida the class of the SEC East. In a fair world, this game would represent the fight not just for the SEC crown, but the national championship as well, given the strength of these two teams.

Can Alabama exact revenge for its 2008 loss and punch its ticket for the BCS Championship Game? Perhaps, but the road is long and steep.

OFFENSE

Florida – or more appropriately, Gator head coach Urban Meyer – essentially pioneered the modern spread-option offense. Although it had roots in the Tommy Bowden/Rich Rodriguez offensive system at Tulane, Meyer and current Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen were the ones who developed the version Florida uses. It is heavy on the run, particularly from the quarterback position, and makes use of misdirection and multitalented players in the backfield to confound, confuse and ultimately run over the opposition. The Gators are 6th nationally in rushing offense and 64th in passing, good for a ranking of 12th in total offense and 10th in scoring offense. Alabama counters with its hybrid pro-style spread attack, which makes use of the Pistol and shotgun formations, five-wide empty sets and its base, the Ace package, to run a handful of plays from a variety of formations and keep defenses off balance. Alabama is 13th in rushing offense, 89th in passing offense, 40th in total offense and 25th in scoring. The principal difference between the two sets, though, is personnel, specifically Florida QB Tim Tebow.

QUARTERBACKS
Praise is due Alabama’s Greg McElroy for finishing the season strong. After a tough midseason stretch against Kentucky, Ole Miss and South Carolina, McElroy began to turn things around against Tennessee and performed well through the end of the regular-season schedule. On the year, he actually has more passing yards than does Florida’s Tim Tebow (2,211 to 2,166), and comparable TD/INT numbers (16 and 4 compared to 17 and 4). Tebow’s accuracy has been better, but McElroy’s isn’t bad by any measure (60.8%), and Alabama throws long- and intermediate-range passes more often than do the Gators. However, this is Florida’s edge and it’s not even close. A solid argument could be made that Tebow is the best college football player ever, and even if he’s not quite that good, he’s the best of his generation by far. He’s the Gators’ leading rusher with 796 yards on 193 carries (4.1 avg.), which includes yardage lost to sacks. He has run for 13 touchdowns and is the unquestioned leader of the Florida team. As for the backups, John Brantley has completed 75 percent of his passes, thrown for 410 yards and has 7 touchdowns. He would start for most SEC clubs, whereas Alabama’s Star Jackson isn’t in that league quite yet. Taking nothing away from McElroy’s fine season, but this one is Florida’s in a walk. Advantage: Florida

RUNNING BACKS
A lot depends on the health of Alabama’s Mark Ingram. Ingram suffered a hip pointer at some point in the game against Auburn, and finally succumbed to its effects during Alabama’s final drive. Prior to leaving the game, though, Auburn had figured him out, and his Heisman Trophy candidacy likely ended in the process. On the year, Ingram has carried for 1,429 yards on 221 trips (6.5 avg.) and has 12 touchdowns. But the best part for Alabama is that, even when Ingram couldn’t go, the Crimson Tide was in good hands with Trent Richardson (115 carries, 562 yards, 4.9 avg., 6 TD). Roy Upchurch, the last-minute hero of the Auburn game, adds depth, along with Demetrius Goode. Terry Grant probably won’t be ready for this game. When Alabama needs a fullback, Upchurch will split the duties with Baron Huber and H-back Preston Dial. Florida counters with a pair of small speedsters, Chris Rainey and Jeffery Demps. The two have combined for 1,270 yards and 11 touchdowns on 178 carries (7.1 avg.). Defying their size, they’re good runners between the tackles. Add their performance to that of Tebow and you have the makings of a solid offensive backfield. Power back Emmanuel Moody is likely out for this game, meaning Mike Gillislee, who has gotten most of his action in blowouts this year, will be the only other back available, with the exception of a situational carry or two for kick returner Brandon James. This category hinges on Ingram’s health. If he’s hampered in any significant way, this category would go to Florida based on Tebow’s presence. Operating on the assumption that Saban was being straight about Ingram’s playing chances in his post-Auburn press conference, however, we’ll call it for Alabama, but just barely. Advantage: Alabama

WIDE RECEIVERS
Florida’s receivers weren’t given much love in the preseason, aside from tight end Aaron Hernandez. But Riley Cooper has stepped up as the season has gone along, and has now caught 41 passes for 703 yards (17.1 avg.) and 8 touchdowns. He’s developed into a downfield threat and his size makes up a difficult matchup for most defensive backs. The star of the show, though, is Hernandez, who can line up as a fullback, tight end or wideout and be effective all three ways. He’s caught 51 passes for 654 yards (12.8 avg.) and 4 touchdowns, and is especially effective around the goalline. Deonte Thompson and David Nelson provide depth along with Brandon James and Omarius Hines, but it’s really a two-man show with Cooper and Hernandez. That creates an interesting dynamic when comparing Florida to Alabama. Alabama is also primarily riding the backs of a receiver (Julio Jones) and a tight end (Colin Peek), but the Tide’s third and fourth options, Marquise Maze and Darius Hanks, give Alabama a bit of a depth edge. The issue could come down to health. Peek is still slowed somewhat by a knee injury, although he played a very good game against Auburn that included a touchdown catch on which he had to outrun coverage. Jones was banged up in the Auburn game, but that’s par for the course for him and he has become a master of playing hurt. Earl Alexander, Mike McCoy, Brandon Gibson and Michael Bowman add depth, although none of them see the ball very much. Preston Dial will start at H-back, while Michael Williams will get plenty of work at tight end off the bench along with Brad Smelley. Both teams utilize their running backs out of the backfield. This may be the closest call on the board, but given that Cooper and Hernandez are healthier at the moment than Alabama’s key playmakers, Florida gets the nod. Advantage: Florida

OFFENSIVE LINE
Alabama’s 2009 offensive line has played above expectations, but as the Auburn game highlighted, this is not a group that can assert its will like the 2008 unit often did. Alabama’s 2009 line is populated more by technicians than bulldozers, and Auburn seemed to unlock the secret to shutting down Alabama’s inside running game. Given that Florida’s defensive line trails only Ole Miss’ in terms of quality across the board, Alabama’s OL will have a tough draw. Left tackle James Carpenter needs to bounce back from a poor showing against Auburn, but no one particularly played well in the running game last week. Barrett Jones and Mike Johnson start at the guards, sandwiching center William Vlachos, while Drew Davis draws the right tackle assignment. Florida will start the Pouncey brothers, Mike and Maurkice, at guard and center, respectively, with Carl Johnson at the other guard and Marcus Gilbert at tackle. The other tackle slot will be either David Young or Xavier Nixon, both of them freshmen. Florida’s line are better run-blockers than Alabama, but the Tide has allowed far fewer sacks in the passing game. Up to last week, Alabama would have gotten the nod here, but it’s hard to tell whether the Auburn game was an anomaly or the start of a trend. For now, Florida gets the slight edge due to its prowess at run blocking inside, which will be a key part of the Gator gameplan. Advantage: Florida

DEFENSE

Florida will flop between a 4-3 and 3-3-5 look for most of this game. The Gators have been good with their alignments and packages, and have the talent to adjust between different bases without skipping a beat. But so does Alabama. The two teams are mirror images of one another, statistically. Florida ranks 8th against the run, 1st in total defense, 1st in scoring defense, 1st in raw pass defense and 2nd in pass efficiency defense. Alabama is 2nd in rushing defense, 3rd in total defense, 2nd in scoring defense, 5th in raw pass defense and 1st in pass efficiency defense. Alabama will operate from its familiar 3-4 over/under scheme, but will probably play most of this game in nickel or dime sets, depending on Florida’s personnel packages.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Alabama will have to account for Carlos Dunlap on every play. Dunlap, at 6’6” and 290 pounds, moves like a linebacker and is probably the conference’s most feared pass-rushing end with the possible exception of Ole Miss’ Greg Hardy. But fellow end Jermaine Cunningham has the same number of sacks (7) and only one fewer tackle for loss. Where Florida has had issues is up the middle. The Gators rank only 76th in tackles for losses, and a big part of that is the interior tackles not getting to ball-carriers quickly enough. Justin Trattou starts when Florida is in the 3-3-5; Jaye Howard typically starts otherwise. Duke Lemmens and William Green provide depth outside, while Terron Sanders and Lawrence Marsh bolster the inside. Alabama counters with Terrence Cody and Josh Chapman in the middle, flanked by Lorenzo Washington, Brandon Deaderick, Marcell Dareus and Luther Davis at end. Even though Alabama allowed a good bit of rushing yards to Auburn, most came off a QB scramble and a trick reverse. For the entire season, Alabama’s defensive front has been a place running backs go to die. Alabama trails Florida just barely in sacks, but is much better at getting tackles for losses (16th nationally, 2nd in the SEC). Depth favors Alabama. Florida is better off the edges than Alabama is, but Alabama is much more consistent and the middle of the Tide line is virtually impenetrable. Advantage: Alabama

LINEBACKERS
If Dont'a Hightower were healthy, this might be a different story. For that matter, if Cory Reamer were healthy, it still might be a different story. But Alabama has been dealing with health issues in its linebacker corps all year, and this is not the game to still be dealing with those issues. Alabama will start Rolando McClain and Nico Johnson inside against Florida, although it’s unclear how much Johnson will actually play given the defensive alignments. Eryk Anders starts at Jack, while the strongside assignment is unknown. Alabama actually started a safety, Ali Sharrief, in that spot against Auburn, both due to Reamer’s hamstring injury and because the Tide needed a faster player against the Tiger spread. If Reamer can’t go this week, look for Sharrief or Jerrell Harris to get the slot. Chris Jordan backs up the inside positions, while Chavis Williams and Courtney Upshaw handle the Jack assignments off the bench. Florida counters with a very deep and experienced unit, although A.J. Jones is likely to miss this game. Brandon Spikes starts in the middle, flanked by Ryan Stamper and Jones’ replacement, Brandon Hicks. Dustin Doe and Lorenzo Edwards add depth. The best linebacker of the bunch is Alabama’s McClain, but Florida holds an experience edge overall and even with Jones out, is healthier across the board at the moment. Advantage: Florida

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Few teams can match up with Alabama outside – but Florida can. The Gators’ Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, Markihe Anderson and Wandy Pierre-Louis are every bit as good as Alabama’s Kareem Jackson, Marquis Johnson and Javier Arenas. Arenas is probably the best single player of the bunch, and is certainly overlooked by most pundits when discussing the conference’s top cornerback, but Florida holds the depth advantage. At safety, Florida has as many as six game-ready players. Will Hill, Major Wright, Ahmad Black, Josh Evans and Dee Finley will all likely see action. Alabama counters with Mark Barron and Justin Woodall as starters, then Robby Green off the bench in dime situations. Alabama also has Ali Sharrief, Tyrone King Jr. and Robert Lester available, giving the Tide a slight edge in overall numbers, but Florida’s Hill, Wright and Black could all start at Alabama. Alabama seems to be more opportunistic in intercepting passes, however. The important thing to remember about this category is there really is no loser – these are the top two secondaries in the SEC and perhaps the country. Florida gets the slight nod due to experience in its nickel and dime safeties. Advantage: Florida

SPECIAL TEAMS
Florida probably has the best special teams unit in the country. Kicker Caleb Sturgis probably trails Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin, but it’s not by enough to matter. Punter Chas Henry is the best in the business, although Alabama’s P.J. Fitzgerald isn’t bad. Alabama holds the edge in kick and punt returns thanks to Javier Arenas, but Florida’s Brandon James is also one of the best in the business. Where this one turns is in terms of kick return coverage, where Alabama has been vulnerable all year. Both teams do a good job on punt coverage. Having Arenas gives Alabama a great weapon, but Henry will neutralize him more often than not. The iffy-ness of Alabama’s kickoff coverage unit therefore becomes the measure upon which this category is judged. Advantage: Florida

OVERALL

Florida leads in six categories, and Alabama just in two. The two teams split the OL-DL comparison, with both teams’ defensive lines holding edges over their opponent’s offensive line.

So what does this mean for Alabama? It means a win over Florida is an upset. Alabama fans would like to believe otherwise, but the fact is Florida has surprised no one this year. The Gators were a consensus choice to win the national championship in the preseason and have done nothing along the way to shake that confidence.

The key factor, of course, is Tim Tebow. There hasn’t been a quarterback this suited to an offensive system since Tommie Frazier led Nebraska’s triple option almost 20 years ago. And as Alabama learned last year, Tebow can only be contained in big games for so long.

For Alabama to win this game, at least one of three things has to happen: Tim Tebow must be stopped, Alabama must run the football with authority and whenever it so chooses, or Greg McElroy must take over the game. The problem with those strategies are (a) no one has stopped Tim Tebow yet, (b) Alabama got shut down by an inferior Auburn team last week and has had to rely on spreading defenses out all year long rather than running with authority, and (c) one has to question whether Alabama’s best chance for victory is to put the game in the hands of a quarterback who isn’t considered a true playmaker. How many last-minute Auburn drives does McElroy have in him?

Alabama may not get the chance to find out. If Alabama allows Tim Tebow to play the way he’s played over the following month, this game won’t be close enough to win in the fourth quarter. Simply put, Alabama has to play a perfect game and at the same time, do something to wreck Florida’s momentum. Alabama cannot play straight-up versus straight-up in this game and expect to win.

A victory is not out of the question, but Alabama has a steeper hill to climb than would initially appear. But the wild card in the deck is motivation, as Alabama comes in seeking revenge for the postseason swoon of a year ago. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into déjà vu all over again.

Florida 24
Alabama 17

Hopefully you skipped the link and read this first and got yourself all worked up. Go ahead and click the link now to see how biased the writer is. :3

Rational people know that Florida is ahead of Bama at this point in the season, and unless something drastic happens Florida will advance to play Texas or TCU. Go Gators!

Originally Posted by CivilWars

I remember when USC was the greatest team in the history of college football. All they had to do was win one home game to get their trophy, medals, crowns, and knighthood. What happened? Oh yeah, Texas won. Thats why we play the games.

No doubt, I have absolute fears about playing Texas because they have Will Muschamp. He fucked our faces pretty good when he was at Auburn. But to be honest, I would rather play them than TCU. They are solid in all facets of the game. Texas still has trouble running the ball, and it was surprising to see A&M able to put that many points up on their D. We all know defense wins championships, and its probably why the SEC has been so dominant over the last few years.

Originally Posted by SJA

Originally Posted by CivilWars

I remember when USC was the greatest team in the history of college football. All they had to do was win one home game to get their trophy, medals, crowns, and knighthood. What happened? Oh yeah, Texas won. Thats why we play the games.

No doubt, I have absolute fears about playing Texas because they have Will Muschamp. He fucked our faces pretty good when he was at Auburn. But to be honest, I would rather play them than TCU. They are solid in all facets of the game. Texas still has trouble running the ball, and it was surprising to see A&M able to put that many points up on their D. We all know defense wins championships, and its probably why the SEC has been so dominant over the last few years.

I Think TCU would beat UT in a head to head.