News Article: SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

[JessN]

SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-in-Chief
Dec. 1, 2008

For weeks it seems, all Alabama has heard about is Florida.

Florida is the best team in the SEC. Florida’s offense can’t be stopped. Florida should be ranked No. 1, not Alabama. Florida’s offense will be too much for Alabama. Florida would beat Alabama by 50 any day of its choosing. Florida’s Tim Tebow throws passes sprinkled with pixie dust and his ankles have wings attached, given to him as a gift by Mercury himself.

In the meantime, all Alabama has done is win, which is something Florida didn’t do.

For the full story, click here: [ame="http://tidefans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80223"]News Article: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators - TideFans.com[/ame]

 

[CrimsonCT]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

I do believe Jess has finally drank the Kool-aid.

I do question Florida's kick coverage, though... it looks like FSU was averaging 32 yards on 6 returns Saturday, breaking one for 63, compared to Brandon James averaging about 15 yards per return on the game. Given our improvements in coverage, special teams might honestly be more of a wash.

 

[CrimsonEyeshade]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

A lot of things have to go right in Jess's scenario, but they aren't miraculous, they're fundamental. We have to play well in areas that are already strengths of our team.

One play at a time, y'all. One play at a time.

 

[Tider@GW_Law]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

I agree with Jess's analysis. That being said, I think the biggest factor in the game will be whether or not Florida can get 3+ big plays against our D. I love our D-line, but if Florida can get guys beyond it with little dink & dunk routes and into open spaces, then we may have some serious problems.

It's going to be a great game. RTR! :BigA:

 

[buzzincuzzin]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Florida can only beat Alabama over the top and with yac yards. Problem is Alabama don't give up much in those areas. Make Tebow run inside and scuff him up some.

 

[lafella]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Anytime I have any inclination to disagree with Jess I'm usually proven wrong .. so Jess I hereby disagree with everything you said! :biggrin:


Biggest thing (not the only mind you) I'm worried about really is Pass Protection.

 

[crmsnrevelation]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

What a way to get fired up! That was the most important game preview in tidefans.com history. If we can open some running lanes beyond the first level at some point than we have this game.

Every time Alabama begins to gain six yards rushing consistantly, than the game is over. let's hope it happens earlier than it did against MSU and AU..

 

[RolltideFanz]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Wow! Did NOT see that one coming, Jess. I ain't about to start complaining, though. :BigA:

 

[crimsonaudio]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

We're going to surprise some folks this weekend!

 

[TIDEnGA]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Great call Jess! I loved the analysis and was expecting a different pick at the end. I've always appreciated your honesty (maybe not agreed with it...LOL), and I could easily see this game playing out this way. I'm excited! Roll Tide!:BigA:

 

[Alanbama27]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

I think that Jess has nailed the breakdown this week! And I'm not talking about picking a winner...but rather just the overall breakdown. For some strange reason the National Media, lead by Kirk Herbstreit believe that Florida is superhuman and that because TIM TEBOW said (we will not lose another game) that they won't! Problem is that Alabama hasn't lost any games and our interior line strength will cause them BIG problems! Florida has looked better for one reason and one reason only...they leave their starters in and rack up huge numbers when the games they've played have been out of touch. Even when up by huge numbers in the Kentucky game (after Kentucky lost almost every meaningful player) there was Tebow and starters in the game early in the 4th quarter throwing for a score!

What Bama does and will do again this weekend is line up and punch you in the face and then line up and do it again! Most teams can't take much of that and I guess we'll see how well Florida will do with it. My guess is that Bama will attempt to do exactly what we did against UGA and Clemson and frankly every other "great" team...BALL CONTROL on offense and a never say die defense.

On special teams Auburn did a great job of punting and kept Javier to minor duty...however, on a dry field and a punt rush that has gotten better every game, it should be interesting. One item of note is that Bama could have blocked two of Auburn's punts (go back and watch the replays) but because we had "return" called our guys stopped when they clearly could have gotten there. One was literally turning around as to not be tempted to block it and get the wrath of Coach Saban!

 

[rolltidescott]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

We're going to surprise some folks this weekend!

I sure hope so. We need to stop Florida's quick-strike ability.

 

[Jazzman]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

We didn't get to #1 by accident. We got here by hard work, determination and great coaching. The SECC should be one heck of a game. I feel confident that Florida will be surprised when we stop them. I expect to see plenty of mouths hanging open by Florida fans (just like Georgia fans) at the end of the game. I am so proud of the way Alabama has come together this year.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!

 

[bamamick]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Way to go, Jess. We can do it.

rtr

 

[bamar]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

great analysis jess. we will have to control the time of possession to beat florida. they have a comfort zone, when they are able to control the ball. that is when tebow, and his speedy mates are toughest. they had four turnovers against miss, and still almost pulled it out. arks actually outplayed fla the first half, and they wilted in the late 3d quarter. depth a factor. i think mt. cody and josh can stop tebows gut runs. their speed on the corners has me worried the most. teams seem to be getting to the corners more this year. harvin does not play, that would be a big bonus.

 

[BamaMoon]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Sounds like one of Bama's strengths (O line) matches up against one of the Gators few weaknesses (D line). This plays right into Bama's typical game plan to establish the run and then mix in play action passes. I like the way that sounds.:BigA:

 

[peteswell4]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Football games are won in the trenches the majority of the time. I agree with Jess' analysis, and we win a close one. This will put a damper on Florida's "business" as Jay Wright on ESPN 2 just said that assuming Oklahoma and Florida take care of their "business", there will be a great championship game. ROLL TIDE!!!

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

In the line matchups, Alabama takes both, particularly the matchup of the Alabama OL versus the Florida DL. If that holds true on gameday, Alabama should be able to sustain several drives, thereby keeping the high-octane Gator offense grounded on the bench.

There is the key, in my opinion. It's a tired old saying, but the game of football is won and lost in the trenches. It doesn't matter how much speed or star power the skill players have. If your big uglies can line up and knock the slobber out of the other guy's big uglies, you are probably going to win the game.

 

[Boo Radley]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

Alabama leads in four categories, Florida in four. That’s probably not the breakdown many pundits would have expected to see.

I'll throw in one more category: Coaching. Meyer is good, but gimme Saban any day. Advantage: Alabama

5 to 4: Alabama

 

[MNBamaFan]

Re: SEC Championship Game preview: Alabama might have surprise in store for Gators

I can't wait to see how Bama handles the little shovel pass Tebow uses. I don't see that working too well when the middle of the line is being "Cody-ized".