SEC Championship Game: #7 Florida 46, #1 Alabama 52

[Escambia94]

On Saturday, December 19th at 8:00 PM Eastern, the #6 Florida Gators and the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide will face off for the 10th time in the SEC Championship Game. The Tide hold a 5-4 lead over the Gators in the championship matches and are 4-3 in Atlanta. Alabama also leads the all-time series 26-14. The Tide will be 17-point favorites, and the over/under is 74.5. The Gators have an outside shot at playing into the CFP by defeating the Tide and becoming the SEC champions. Kyle Trask also has one last opportunity to show the Heisman committee that he should be the selection this year.

Florida leads the nation with 386.4 passing yards per game, mostly out of necessity due to the lack of a running game. Kyle Trask leads the nation with 40 TD passes and is #5 in FBS history through 10 games. Trask's 42 total TDs (40 passing, 2 rushing) only trails Tim Tebow's record of 55 (32 passing, 23 rushing). Trask is the only player in SEC history and in the FBS to throw at least 3 TD passes in nine consecutive games. The Gators spread the ball around better than most other teams, as they are the only team that features 6 players with 20+ receptions and 225 receiving yards, and are one of 5 teams with 7 players with multiple TD receptions. The Gators will need to spread the ball around in order to dethrone the Tide. On the other side of the ball, the only positive news I can report about the defense is that they lead the SEC in sacks. Sophomore DB Kaiir Elam is a Jim Thorpe semifinalist, and he will need to step up in order to limit the Alabama's prolific offense. Also on the good news front: the Gators finished with fewer than 10 penalties in 30 consecutive games after being consistently among the most penalized teams since 2010.

The following shows the results of these teams facing off in the SEC Championship Game:

• 2016 Florida 16, Alabama 54
• 2015 Florida 15, Alabama 29
• 2009 Florida 13, Alabama 32
• 2008 Florida 31, Alabama 20
• 1999 Florida 7, Alabama 34
• 1996 Florida 45, Alabama 30
• 1994 Florida 24, Alabama 23
• 1993 Florida 28, Alabama 13
• 1992 Florida 21, Alabama 28

Alabama's roster is chock full of athletes who will be playing on Sundays.

• WR-X 6 Devonta Smith SR
• WR-Z 8 John Metchie III SO
• WR-H 18 Slade Bolden RSO / 17 Jaylen Waddle JR
  
• LT 70 Alex Leatherwood SR
• LG 65 Deonte Brown RSR
• OC 69 Landon Dickerson GR
• RG 55 Emil Ekiyor RSO
• RT 73 Evan Neal SO
• TE 87 Miller Forristall RSR
• QB 10 Mac Jones RJR
• RB 22 Najee Harris SR
• DE 18 LaBryan Ray RJR
• NG 94 DJ Dale SO
• DE 92 Justin Eboigbe SO
• JACK 31 Will Anderson FR
• WILL 8 Christian Hill SO
• MIKE 32 Dylan Moses RJR
• SAM 4 Christopher Allen RJR
• CB 28 Josh Jobe JR
• FS 3 Daniel Wright RJR
• SS 9 Jordan Battle SO
• CB 2 Patrick Surtain II JR
• STAR 13 Malachi Moore FR
• PT 85 Charlie Scott GR
• PK 16 Will Reichard SO

Florida's roster leading into the SEC championship game is definitely better than it was in the McElwain days.

• QB
  • RSR QB Kyle Trask 6-6 212 Manvel HS, Manvel TX. 2-star
  RB
  • JR RB Dameon Pierce 5-11 210 Bainbridge HS. Bainbridge, GA. 4-star
  WR-X
  • TR-SO. WR Justin Shorter 6-4 226 of Penn State University by way of South Brunswick High School, Monmouth Junction, NJ. Former 5*.
  • RSO WR Jacob Copeland 6-1 181 Escambia HS, Pensacola, FL 4-star.
  WR-Z
  • TR-SR WR Trevon Grimes 6-3 202 Ohio State University by way of St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL 4-star.
    
  • RSR WR Rick Wells 6-1 185 Raines HS, Jacksonville FL. 3-star.
  WR-Y/H
  • SR WR/ATH Kadarius Toney 6'1" 185 Blount Prichard AL. 4-star.
  TE
  • JR TE Kyle Pitts 6-5 235 of Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster PA. 4-star.
  • SO TE Keon Zipperer. 6-2 240. Lakeland HS. Lakeland, FL 4-star.
  • RJR TE Kemore Gamble 6'4" 220 Miami Southridge Miami FL. 4-star.
  LT
  • OT Stone Forsythe 6-6 315 West Orange HS, Winter Garden FL. 3-star.
  • OL Richard Gouraige 6-5 250 Cambridge HS. Tampa, FL 4-star.
  LG
  • OL Richard Gouraige 6-5 250 Cambridge HS. Tampa, FL 4-star.
  • C OL Griffin McDowell 6-4 280 Lee County HS. Leesburg, GA. 3-star.
  OC
  • C/OL Brett Heggie 6-4 290 Mount Dora HS, Mount Dora FL. 3-star.
  RG
  • OT Ethan White 6-5 315. Superior Collegiate Academy, Clearwater, FL 4-star.
  • OT TJ Moore 6'5" 290 Mallard Creek Charlotte NC. 4-star.
  RT
  • TR-SR Stewart Reese OL 6/6" 345 of Mississippi State University by way of Fort Pierce Central HS, Fort Pierce, FL 4-star.
    
  • RSR Jean Delance OT 6’5” 309 North Mesquite HS, Mesquite, TX 4-star.
  • RFR OT Michael Tarquin 6-5 290. North Marion HS, Citra, FL 4-star.
  • FR OT Joshua Braun 6-6 335 Suwannee HS, Live Oak, FL 4-star.
  WDE/OLB EDGE
  • TR-RSO OLB Brenton Cox 6-4 245 of University of Georgia by way of Stockbridge High School, Stockbridge, GA. 5-star.
    
  • SO OLB Mohamoud Diabate 6-4 215. Auburn HS. Auburn, Alabama. 4-star.
  NT
  • SR WDE Antwaun Powell 6-3 235 I.C. Norcrom, Portsmouth, Virginia. 4-star.
  • RFR DT Jaelin Humphries 6-3 303. Mountainview HS. Lawrenceville, GA. 4-star.
  DT
  • SR DT Jaelin Humphries 6-3 303. Mountainview HS. Lawrenceville, GA. 4-star.
  WILL/ MONEY
  • RJR DT Lamar Goods 6-4 290 St Thomas Moore HS, Oakdale, Connecticut. 4-star.
  • RFR OLB Tyron Hopper 6-2 205. Roswell HS. Roswell, GA. 4-star.
  MIKE
  • RJR OLB Tyron Hopper 6-2 205. Roswell HS. Roswell, GA. 4-star.
  • RJR Lacedrick Brunson LB 6'2" 210 Jackson Miami, FL. 2-star.
  • RFR OLB Jesiah Pierre 6-2 220. Christian Home Bible School. Mount Dora, FL 3-star.
  FCB
  • RJR CB Marco Wilson CB 6'0" 180 American Heritage Plantation FL. 4-star.
  BCB
  • SO CB Kaiir Elam 6-1 185. The Benjamin School. North Palm Beach, FL 4-star.
  • SO CB Jaydon Hill 6-0 174. Bob Jones HS. Madison, AL. 4-star.
  • FR CB Jahari Rodgers 6-0 170 Arlington HS, Arlington, TX. 4-star.
  STAR/ NB
  • JR CB Jahari Rodgers 6-0 170 Arlington HS, Arlington, TX. 4-star.
  • SO CB Chester Kimbrough 5-11 170. Warren Easton HS. New Orleans, LA. 4-star.
  • RSR CB Christopher McWilliams 6-0 170 Southwest Miami Senior HS, Miami FL. 3-star.
  SS
  • SR CB Brad Stewart 6'0" 194 McDonogh New Orleans, LA. 4-star.
  • JR DB Trey Dean 6-2 180 Dutchtown HS, Hampton, GA. 4-star.
  • RSR DB Quincy Lenton 6-0 195 Meridan HS, Meridian MS. 3-star.
  FS
  • SR DB Shawn Davis 6'0" 185 Southridge Miami FL. 4-star.
  • SR DB Donovan Stiner 6'2" 185 Bellaire Bellaire, TX. 3-star.
  • FR S Rashad Torrence 6-1 195. Marietta HS. Marietta, GA. 4-star.
  ST
  • K SO Evan McPherson 5'10" 177 Fort Payne HS, Fort Payne, AL.
    
  • K RS SO Chris Howard 6'1" 214 Ponte Vedra HS, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
  • K TR SO Zack Sessa 6'0" 175 Georgia Southern by way of Venice HS, Venice, FL. (walk-on)
    
  • P JR Jacob Finn 6'3" 210 Paxon HS, Jacksonville, FL.
  • LS RS FR Marco Ortiz 6'4" Benedictine HS, Richmond, VA.
    
  • LS RS JR Brett DioGuardi 6'4" 226 Windmere Prep, Windmere, FL.

Alabama has laid waste to SEC competition this year:

1. 38-19 @ Missouri
2. 52-24 vs #13 Texas A&M
3. 63-48 @ Ole Miss
4. 41-24 vs #3 Georgia
5. 48-17 @ Tennessee
   
6. 41-0 vs Mississippi State
7. 63-3 vs Kentucky
8. 42-13 vs #22 Auburn
9. 55-17 @ LSU
10. 52-3 @ Arkansas

The Gators definitely fell short of fan expectations this year:

1. 51-35 @ Ole Miss
2. 38-24 vs South Carolina
3. 38-41 @ #21 Texas A&M
4. 41-17 vs Missouri
5. 44-28 vs #5 Georgia
6. 63-35 vs Arkansas
7. 38-17 @ Vanderbilt
8. 34-10 vs Kentucky
9. 31-19 @ Tennessee
   
10. 34-37 vs LSU

Both the Gators and the Tide had similar results against common opponents Ole Miss, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Alabama easily took care of other common opponents Texas A&M and LSU, unlike the Gators.

Statistically the Gators and Tide look similar, but the Tide is slightly better in each category.

• Points per game: Alabama 49.5, Florida 41.2
• Points allowed per game: Alabama 16.8, Florida 26.3
• Total yards: Alabama 537.8, Florida 513.5
• Passing yards: Alabama 347.7, Florida 386.4
• Rushing yards: Alabama 190.1, Florida 127.1
• Yards allowed: Alabama 340.1, Florida 384.7
• Passing yards allowed: Alabama 227.1, Florida 241.2
• Rushing yards allowed: Alabama 113.0, Florida 142.4

Around the nation there are a few pundits who predict a Gator victory. Alabama's average score this year is 50-17. The Gators average score this year is 41-26. This game should be a shootout, as the classic Florida-Alabama SEC Championship games were back in the day. The sober version of me predicts a 44-41 victory for the Tide; however, the drunk version of me thinks 41-38 victory for the Gators.

 

[DRU2012]

I must tell you:
EITHER of your above “mood-affected predictions” fill me with a swirling mixture of hope, regret and dread, E—.
By now, it is hard to say how I WOULD have felt (or said) had we simply “held service” and at least pulled out the win we were more than capable of LAST Saturday...
I do know that going INTO that one (ie. how I felt, say, EXACTLY one week ago) I had already come at least consciously to feel we were about to get slapped down pretty sharply in the SEC Championship, no matter what.
There was SOME chance that hope and optimism might well have had me “hoping against hope” Mullen & Co. would have our young Gator team ready and “on the come”—maybe we could make a good show of it, and if not in fact beat the Tide, at least been OK with playing them close most of the way.
But now? Not only do I not expect even that (past the first qrtr—and THEN only if we manage an uncharacteristic “quick start”!), but part of the “dread and mixed feelings” I mentioned has to do with how it would feel to realize “what might have been” if we WERE primed, ready to play AND able to hold our own right from the opening kick.
Though of course ANYTHING but the immediate and thorough, start-to-finish implosion I most fear(ed) would be preferred, avoiding the torrent of regrets, the aching echos of “what-MIGHT-have-been” may be unavoidable in ANY event. Let me say it, ask it out loud just once here and now, then:
“Do you know how CLOSE we all came to ‘UNDEFEATED’ THIS TIME??!”
A fumble late early in the year before coming down with Covid TEAMWIDE?Then fast-forward (images of bullet passes, fleets of receivers running precise routes and snagging TD after TD pouring by...), culminating finally in a bumbling CIRCUS of such slapsticked screwups like a bad bookend against the defending National Champions to close OUT the reg season LAST week...After more than a decade of embarrassing futility, all with a Heisman-worthy QB running a highflying offense Spurrier HIMSELF would have been proud to field.
Not that I could EVER take it well under ANY circumstances, but anything EXCEPT that by now “long anticipated beat down this Saturday” would likely likewise fill me with those REGRETS IN ANY EVENT!!!
Aw, heck with it:
I’m just over-thinking, over-TALKING the whole deal out now!
I’ve said more than enough already before now.
No matter what, I’ve managed to do enough rationalizing, put enough “cushion of time (and drink) between me and IT, now and THEN, to at least BEGIN to give me some comfort, some Peace...”—So I’ll watch:
I WILL “BE THERE”, at least for kick off and the start...see how it goes.
No matter what, we have WORK to do!
(And by the way: Whatever happened to that supposed “Top Five Recruiting Class” I’d been hearing about? Seems it’s a different tune being sung online a day AFTER “NSD”. NOT that I EVER care to put a whole lot of faith or hope in such “experts’ lists” or “media prognosticators”, but is someone able to lay THAT analysis out for me?
ASIDE FROM THAT, I’m fairly confident we are STILL “headed in the right direction...we’ll need more time, the rest of this year and season PLUS a whole Spring and Summer before hazarding even asking our Head Coach how he and his STAFF feel about the “team that’s gonna BE”...
For the moment, it’s all I can do to settle down and focus on how to approach the SEC Championship game THIS weekend!

 

[Escambia94]

I did some scouting through social media after listening to a few podcasts and I did see some signs that some of the Gators were not emotionally invested in the game because of what happened earlier to basketball player Keyontae Johnson. At first I thought it was an excuse, but a few insiders to the program, including Denny Thompson, explained that one of the strengths of Gator athletics is that all the athletes across all sports tend to be rather close. A good number of the football players are very close to Keyontae Johnson, so after a lot of thinking and a little bit of drinking (or maybe it was a lot of drinking and a little bit of thinking) I decided to give the Gators a pass on that game against LSU. I do reserve the right to take back that pass if the Gators come out completely listless against the Tide this weekend.

 

[Escambia94]

I discuss the topic of recruiting in a different thread.

 

[DRU2012]

I did some scouting through social media after listening to a few podcasts and I did see some signs that some of the Gators were not emotionally invested in the game because of what happened earlier to basketball player Keyontae Johnson. At first I thought it was an excuse, but a few insiders to the program, including Denny Thompson, explained that one of the strengths of Gator athletics is that all the athletes across all sports tend to be rather close. A good number of the football players are very close to Keyontae Johnson, so after a lot of thinking and a little bit of drinking (or maybe it was a lot of drinking and a little bit of thinking) I decided to give the Gators a pass on that game against LSU. I do reserve the right to take back that pass if the Gators come out completely listless against the Tide this weekend.

You know, I was thinking along those exact lines during and after the game, as I heard more and more about the collapse, and follow up...And yes, in my own way, I too have come around to a different way of seeing the team, that game, their performance there AND, in a wider sense, in this whole season and the progression of behaviors and events that have (I now believe, in retrospect, INEVITABLY) ensued.
This has allowed me to at least BEGIN to re-evaluate and if possible, SEE IN NEW LIGHT the whole “fan-thing” in general, and our long relationship with THIS team in particular.
In short: It’s a fine edge. Like with anything, the more you care, the more you have at stake.
“Once more into the breach!”
Onward...”GO GATORS!!! Eat ‘em UP!”

 

[DRU2012]

[TWEET][/TWEET]

I discuss the topic of recruiting in a different thread.

I saw that. You indeed anticipated and came through in exactly the manner that I have long since come to expect.
And, as I noted there in response, I will eventually no doubt have much to say as we inevitably proceed along that path.
But first, let’s play THIS game, finish the season, AND whatever ELSE it has in store for us, AND the still-to-be-further-resolved details of current recruiting efforts, juco opportunities, transfer portals and all the rest...THEN we can take stock, assess what remains to be done.

 

[Leakfan12]

I did some scouting through social media after listening to a few podcasts and I did see some signs that some of the Gators were not emotionally invested in the game because of what happened earlier to basketball player Keyontae Johnson. At first I thought it was an excuse, but a few insiders to the program, including Denny Thompson, explained that one of the strengths of Gator athletics is that all the athletes across all sports tend to be rather close. A good number of the football players are very close to Keyontae Johnson, so after a lot of thinking and a little bit of drinking (or maybe it was a lot of drinking and a little bit of thinking) I decided to give the Gators a pass on that game against LSU. I do reserve the right to take back that pass if the Gators come out completely listless against the Tide this weekend.

It's hard to say really. On One hand, that's difficult to hear before a game (especially if some of the players watch since the game was on TV). They knew the guy. I remember when Gruden had his QB camp where he talked to Brandon Weeden who was on the 2011 OK State team who dealt with a tragedy on a gameday as well (a couple of coaches from the Women's BB team were killed in a plane crash) which was their only loss that season which cost them a chance at the National Championship game. Around the 22:30 mark they talk about

Gruden's QB Camp: Brandon Weeden - YouTube

However, you got to play regardless. It should have been a rallying point (win one for Keyontae). Especially when you're competing for a chance for the Playoff. I hate to say No Excuses but well No Excuses. I hate to sound like a jerk but I can't give them a pass, sorry I just can't. Also, we can say LSU was better than their record implies which I would buy because they recruit well. However, they were depleted and you would think that Mullen would have taken advantage of LSU losing their top 3 DBS.

 

[Leakfan12]

For the game, I think the Gators should score some points against the Tide's D (especially if Ole Miss could score 48 on them). Stopping their 3 Heisman candidates is going to be difficult. I hope they pull it off, I want to get back at the Tide for 2009 which seemed to be the beginning of the good times for the Gators.

 

[DRU2012]

It's hard to say really. On One hand, that's difficult to hear before a game (especially if some of the players watch since the game was on TV). They knew the guy. I remember when Gruden had his QB camp where he talked to Brandon Weeden who was on the 2011 OK State team who dealt with a tragedy on a gameday as well (a couple of coaches from the Women's BB team were killed in a plane crash) which was their only loss that season which cost them a chance at the National Championship game. Around the 22:30 mark they talk about

Gruden's QB Camp: Brandon Weeden - YouTube

However, you got to play regardless. It should have been a rallying point (win one for Keyontae). Especially when you're competing for a chance for the Playoff. I hate to say No Excuses but well No Excuses. I hate to sound like a jerk but I can't give them a pass, sorry I just can't. Also, we can say LSU was better than their record implies which I would buy because they recruit well. However, they were depleted and you would think that Mullen would have taken advantage of LSU losing their top 3 DBS.

“Agree, BUT...”
It is all well and good to see, say and FEEL that way (ie. “You still have a game to play...” etc)—but these are still young guys, learning and growing and coming to grips with new challenges, dealing with life’s drama and the unexpected—we could just as easily place a certain amount of the responsibility for anticipating all that and helping them to DEAL with it all squarely on their coaches’ shoulders too!
No matter what, this isn’t so much a question of “BLAME”, by any means, as it is one of “EXPERIENCE”...a combination of how well a Coach knows his team and players and what he learns generally over the course of time.
I hesitate to come down TOO hard on either at this point—BOTH are relatively young, learning and growing as the various “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” hurtle their way. We can bemoan the resultant pitfalls, debate how it may have adversely affected this eventuality or that—wish to GOD they were able to take things more in stride , while being thankful they DID have each other to turn to for mutual support—but it was going to be a tough road regardless, and “denial in isolation”, once the only option among “real men” as they come of age, is no longer the sole, painful and long term destructive choice.
Let’s see how they look and function out there THIS Saturday! Will we see continued healing and strength?
No matter what, I HAVEN’T heard or witnessed excuses from coaches OR players. For ANYTHING.
How we finish, what is said in the aftermath and how it is expressed, will go a LONG way in determining how we see this team and its future.
Again: I don’t really know WHAT to “expect” out there this Saturday in Atlanta. Either from our team, the eventual score—or how I’ll feel about it when it’s over!
No matter what, we then get to gather up the pieces, assess the damage, huddle up together and MOVE ON!

 

[DRU2012]

For the game, I think the Gators should score some points against the Tide's D (especially if Ole Miss could score 48 on them). Stopping their 3 Heisman candidates is going to be difficult. I hope they pull it off, I want to get back at the Tide for 2009 which seemed to be the beginning of the good times for the Gators.

That day. THAT game...
Tebow crying in frustration on the sideline in the 2nd half, as he ran frantically from squad to squad on the sidelines, trying in vein to rally clots of Gators scattered apart from each other, heads down and muttering dejectedly even while the game was still close...
But he just couldn’t pick them up, just couldn’t rally them. The spell was cold, the “bond” broken—for Meyer as either (as we would see and learn all too clearly in days to come)...
We were headed into The Dark Times, a decade of futility we only recently have climbed out of, thanks to Coach Mullen.
So much disappointment and false hope between then and now.
Is it any wonder the climb BACK would be so hard, so littered with obstacles and disappointment itself??!
Just trust in the idea that its fruition will be all the more satisfying, our “return” that much more solidly joyful a one as we reclaim our proper crown once more!

 

[Escambia94]

That day. THAT game...
Tebow crying in frustration on the sideline in the 2nd half, as he ran frantically from squad to squad on the sidelines, trying in vein to rally clots of Gators scattered apart from each other, heads down and muttering dejectedly even while the game was still close...
But he just couldn’t pick them up, just couldn’t rally them. The spell was cold, the “bond” broken—for Meyer as either (as we would see and learn all too clearly in days to come)...
We were headed into The Dark Times, a decade of futility we only recently have climbed out of, thanks to Coach Mullen.
So much disappointment and false hope between then and now.
Is it any wonder the climb BACK would be so hard, so littered with obstacles and disappointment itself??!
Just trust in the idea that its fruition will be all the more satisfying, our “return” that much more solidly joyful a one as we reclaim our proper crown once more!

This is a reminder that emotions do factor into games. When the 2008 Gators defeated the Tide in the SEC CG, Alabama responded by making their entire 2009 campaign about beating Florida. Greg McElroy and others have confirmed in interviews that they were devastated by the 2008 loss, and that they had been emotionally motivated to exact revenge in 2009--which they obviously did. On the other hand, multiple interviews indicate that the 2009 Gators got complacent and were resting on their laurels from 2008. They were an emotional mess behind the scenes, but they still rode into the SEC CG undefeated. To me it looked as if Tebow was the only Gator emotionally invested in winning that game. Many of the others had checked out and were looking forward to the NFL draft. These are kids who were pampered by Urban Meyer, which was very different from how they were treated in 2005-2007 according to many reports.

Fast forward to 2020. I am not making excuses, but this team was definitely not emotionally ready to play LSU. We the fans will point at the previous lackadaisical performances against Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. There is certainly evidence showing that the Gators were trending downwards since their victory against Arkansas, which is probably true and I would not disagree. What I am saying is that with the sudden injury to Keyontae Johnson, a close friend of many of the football players, and the high degree of uncertainty about what happened (especially for the football players who were in their football bubble), it is easy to see that several players were emotionally disinterested in this game. Throw in the emotional immaturity of some of these kids (*cough* Marco Wilson), and you have a perfect storm.

Last week was not a conference championship game, so I expect a better performance from the Gators. Maybe they fall short of a victory because of a disparity of talent, but I do not see a loss coming due to lack of emotional investment in this game. As a matter of fact, after a few sips of whiskey I am actually predicting an upset and a victory for the Gators. If I am wrong, I will blame Jim Beam. If I am right, then I credit Dan Mullen and the Gators.

 

[DRU2012]

This is a reminder that emotions do factor into games. When the 2008 Gators defeated the Tide in the SEC CG, Alabama responded by making their entire 2009 campaign about beating Florida. Greg McElroy and others have confirmed in interviews that they were devastated by the 2008 loss, and that they had been emotionally motivated to exact revenge in 2009--which they obviously did. On the other hand, multiple interviews indicate that the 2009 Gators got complacent and were resting on their laurels from 2008. They were an emotional mess behind the scenes, but they still rode into the SEC CG undefeated. To me it looked as if Tebow was the only Gator emotionally invested in winning that game. Many of the others had checked out and were looking forward to the NFL draft. These are kids who were pampered by Urban Meyer, which was very different from how they were treated in 2005-2007 according to many reports.

Fast forward to 2020. I am not making excuses, but this team was definitely not emotionally ready to play LSU. We the fans will point at the previous lackadaisical performances against Tennessee, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. There is certainly evidence showing that the Gators were trending downwards since their victory against Arkansas, which is probably true and I would not disagree. What I am saying is that with the sudden injury to Keyontae Johnson, a close friend of many of the football players, and the high degree of uncertainty about what happened (especially for the football players who were in their football bubble), it is easy to see that several players were emotionally disinterested in this game. Throw in the emotional immaturity of some of these kids (*cough* Marco Wilson), and you have a perfect storm.

Last week was not a conference championship game, so I expect a better performance from the Gators. Maybe they fall short of a victory because of a disparity of talent, but I do not see a loss coming due to lack of emotional investment in this game. As a matter of fact, after a few sips of whiskey I am actually predicting an upset and a victory for the Gators. If I am wrong, I will blame Jim Beam. If I am right, then I credit Dan Mullen and the Gators.

“Checked OUT”. That’s the proper expression, for SURE—Totally, in the 2009 Championship game, and probably a bit more “patchily” so last week against LSU—for all the reasons and in just the theoretical ways you describe.
I hope like HELL you have it right vis a vis tomorrow evening in Atlanta, my friend. It won’t “FIX EVERYTHING”, but it sure as hell will put a better spin on this season—where we’re at and where we’re headed. I think this time we’ll at least have a pretty good idea of where the team’s “collective heads are at” from fairly early on. Had we simply “held serve” as expected last Saturday against LSU, a “held-their-own”/ “close loss” against the Tide THIS week might have at least been considered “somewhat encouraging”—in its larger context up until that point this year it wouldn’t necessarily shocked or seemed to have broken our steady, cumulative rise, in our own OR the eyes of potential recruits. But NOW, well: “THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!!!”
Do you get my metaphor?
We NEED something visceral—not just to change how OTHERS perceive us, but HOW WE SEE OURSELVES!!!

 

[DRU2012]

(PS. ...and for ME, by-the-way, that “blame” you mention—in your case going to “Jim Beam”—in MINE will go this time to “Remy Martin 1738”, I think...
This won’t be much fun, I fear.
I intend to treat myself gently—and WELL!
In spiritual (and “SPIRITED”!) terms, I pour EACH OF YOU one...
...together, we raise them high and DRINK TO THE GATORS—past, present, and above all FUTURE, to those onfield and those looking on!)

 

[DRU2012]

“Checked OUT”. That’s the proper expression, for SURE—Totally, in the 2009 Championship game, and probably a bit more “patchily” so last week against LSU—for all the reasons and in just the theoretical ways you describe.
I hope like HELL you have it right vis a vis tomorrow evening in Atlanta, my friend. It won’t “FIX EVERYTHING”, but it sure as hell will put a better spin on this season—where we’re at and where we’re headed. I think this time we’ll at least have a pretty good idea of where the team’s “collective heads are at” from fairly early on. Had we simply “held serve” as expected last Saturday against LSU, a “held-their-own”/ “close loss” against the Tide THIS week might have at least been considered “somewhat encouraging”—in its larger context up until that point this year it wouldn’t necessarily shocked or seemed to have broken our steady, cumulative rise, in our own OR the eyes of potential recruits. But NOW, well: “THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!!!”
Do you get my metaphor?
We NEED something visceral—not just to change how OTHERS perceive us, but HOW WE SEE OURSELVES!!!

 

[DRU2012]

Repeated prev post...
Disregard.
TRIED to delete BOTH, after-the-fact, but for some reason was unable this time. F-it. Let’s move on...

 

[Escambia94]

Dan Mullen is 0-9 against Nick Saban, but Saban does have a lot of respect for Mullen's ability to play scrappy while being severely overmatched at Mississippi State. Mullen's #1 Fightin' Cowbells came rather close to beating the Tide in Bryant-Denny in a 20-25 loss where Dak Prescott led a resurgence where State outscored Alabama 17-6 in the second half and barely fell short of the upset--largely due to Prescott tossing 3 interceptions in a game where he outgunned Alabama's Blake Sims. Mullen's 2020 Fightin' Kyles are more talented than his 2014 and 2015 Fightin' Cowbells. Even the 2017 State team kept the game rather close with a highly overmatched team. The 2017 Crimson Tide team featured a receiver who will once again wreak havoc on a Grantham defense--DeVonta Smith. In 2017, Smith had one reception for 26 yards and a TD as a freshman, but Calvin Ridley obliterated that Grantham defense to the tune of 171 yards on 5 receptions with a long of 63 yards. Look for Smith to take Ridley's place in this game and have a similar outing. That game was tied at 24-24 with under 10 minutes to go in the 4th. The Fightin' Cowbells likely lost that game with 1:09 to go when they elected to punt. Granted, they were 56 yards away from a field goal, but they did have some momentum after the Tide missed a field goal. The Tide drove 68 yards in 0:44 to score on a 26-yard run by Smith. State failed to capitalize on a pass interference call with 0:00 on the clock and free play as Fitzgerald's 34-yard pass attempt to Reginald Todd fell incomplete and the Tide left Star Vegas undefeated in what turned out to be their most difficult opponent of the year. The 2017 and 2014 Fightin' Cowbells gave Saban's Tide all they could handle, and those State teams were chock full of 2- and 3-star athletes. Saban's 2020 team is about as talented as his 2017 and 2014 teams that faced off against Mullen's scrappiest teams, so I expect an angry Gator team with only slightly less talent than Alabama to be more than a handful for Nick Saban. Then again, this Alabama offense is the most efficient that we have seen in history, so it would not surprise me to see Florida get overwhelmed. If Florida's Gator Raid offense can match Alabama's NFL-style offense, there might not be a need for defense. This is great, because both defenses are atrocious, with Alabama's defense beginning to come together lately while Florida's has declined. Still, there is a enough firepower on the Gator squad to stay in a shootout and win by a field goal.

• 2017 Alabama 31, State 24 (Nick Fitzgerald)
• 2016 Alabama 51, State 3 (Nick Fitzgerald)
  
• 2015 Alabama 31, State 6 (Dak Prescott)
  
• 2014 Alabama 25, State 20 (Dak Prescott)
  
• 2013 Alabama 20, State 7 (Tyler Russell)
  
• 2012 Alabama 38, State 7 (Tyler Russell)
• 2011 Alabama 24, State 7 (Tyler Russell)
• 2010 Alabama 30, State 10 (Tyler Russell)
• 2009 Alabama 31, State 3 (Tyson Lee)

 

[DRU2012]

Dan Mullen is 0-9 against Nick Saban, but Saban does have a lot of respect for Mullen's ability to play scrappy while being severely overmatched at Mississippi State. Mullen's #1 Fightin' Cowbells came rather close to beating the Tide in Bryant-Denny in a 20-25 loss where Dak Prescott led a resurgence where State outscored Alabama 17-6 in the second half and barely fell short of the upset--largely due to Prescott tossing 3 interceptions in a game where he outgunned Alabama's Blake Sims. Mullen's 2020 Fightin' Kyles are more talented than his 2014 and 2015 Fightin' Cowbells. Even the 2017 State team kept the game rather close with a highly overmatched team. The 2017 Crimson Tide team featured a receiver who will once again wreak havoc on a Grantham defense--DeVonta Smith. In 2017, Smith had one reception for 26 yards and a TD as a freshman, but Calvin Ridley obliterated that Grantham defense to the tune of 171 yards on 5 receptions with a long of 63 yards. Look for Smith to take Ridley's place in this game and have a similar outing. That game was tied at 24-24 with under 10 minutes to go in the 4th. The Fightin' Cowbells likely lost that game with 1:09 to go when they elected to punt. Granted, they were 56 yards away from a field goal, but they did have some momentum after the Tide missed a field goal. The Tide drove 68 yards in 0:44 to score on a 26-yard run by Smith. State failed to capitalize on a pass interference call with 0:00 on the clock and free play as Fitzgerald's 34-yard pass attempt to Reginald Todd fell incomplete and the Tide left Star Vegas undefeated in what turned out to be their most difficult opponent of the year. The 2017 and 2014 Fightin' Cowbells gave Saban's Tide all they could handle, and those State teams were chock full of 2- and 3-star athletes. Saban's 2020 team is about as talented as his 2017 and 2014 teams that faced off against Mullen's scrappiest teams, so I expect an angry Gator team with only slightly less talent than Alabama to be more than a handful for Nick Saban. Then again, this Alabama offense is the most efficient that we have seen in history, so it would not surprise me to see Florida get overwhelmed. If Florida's Gator Raid offense can match Alabama's NFL-style offense, there might not be a need for defense. This is great, because both defenses are atrocious, with Alabama's defense beginning to come together lately while Florida's has declined. Still, there is a enough firepower on the Gator squad to stay in a shootout and win by a field goal.

• 2017 Alabama 31, State 24 (Nick Fitzgerald)
• 2016 Alabama 51, State 3 (Nick Fitzgerald)
  
• 2015 Alabama 31, State 6 (Dak Prescott)
  
• 2014 Alabama 25, State 20 (Dak Prescott)
  
• 2013 Alabama 20, State 7 (Tyler Russell)
  
• 2012 Alabama 38, State 7 (Tyler Russell)
• 2011 Alabama 24, State 7 (Tyler Russell)
• 2010 Alabama 30, State 10 (Tyler Russell)
• 2009 Alabama 31, State 3 (Tyson Lee)

OK—But will ANYTHING come along that might emotionally knock The Tide off it’s game??! Can ANYTHING affect a SABAN-coached team in that way, I wonder...’Cause that is what it’d TAKE here, I fear. I am amazed to find myself even SAYING that—as if he is somehow a qualitively DIFFERENT KIND of Coach, DIFFERENT KIND OF MAN, than anyone else out there.
For that I apologize: Because he is NOT. A “different kind” of MAN AND Coach?—no, not so much “different” as just MORE or LESS of this or that, perhaps.
But then again, as we have slowly, steadily learned ourselves regarding MULLEN: OUR Coach walks HIS own road as well.
He won’t count on being HANDED ANYTHING: NO...He will build and TRAIN a team to TAKE WHAT IS OUT THERE.
It was JUST beyond reach this time.
I think we might well find, by the time it is over, that we have in fact begun our 2021 campaign here tonight.

 

[DRU2012]

That was TOO easy.
Sigh...
Well, that more or less answers my main question coming in here:
If there were EVER a game when we DIDN’T wanna pull one of our usual slow starts, it was coming out here tonight.
Started sippin’ early so I could face exactly this kind of early going.
Oh oh. OK. Complete. They clearly have just the one path to staying with this Tide team—counter-scoring, and lots of Tide “targeting” flags. We WILL need the breaks to go our way. Kyle overthrows Kyle. Drive killer?
No!!! TOUCHDOWN to Toney! Nice.

 

[DRU2012]

This is up to our D—WE MUST STOP THEM AT LEAST HALF THE TIME.

 

[DRU2012]

I don’t wanna start babbling nervously here. That’s the dark side of drinking early. Gonna try and cool it.