Alabama vs. Florida Football 2009
Tide, Gators Battle for Shot at BCS National Title
There will, of course, be much more than a conference championship on the line in the 4 p.m. EST contest. The teams, both 12-0, will battle for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series national title game.
Defending national champion Florida is ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings, and Alabama is No. 2. So the winner's in. The loser can expect to fall at least one spot – which would mean no shot at the national crown.
The matchup isn't unexpected. The teams have taken two of the top three spots in the national polls since the third week of the season. Even before the 2009 campaign began, the Gators and Crimson Tide were projected to be on course for an SEC title showdown.
Also at stake Saturday will be the Heisman Trophy hopes of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Alabama running back Mark Ingram. Each player is a contender who can boost his chances considerably by outproducing the other. But producing at all won't be easy.
The Gators lead the nation in scoring defense, giving up only 9.83 yards per game, and Alabama is second at 10.83. In total defense, Florida is first at 233.1 yards allowed per game, and Alabama is third at 233.9.
CBS will telecast Saturday's game, which will be the 36th meeting between the schools. Alabama leads the series 21-14, but Florida has won the last two — including a 31-20 decision in the 2008 SEC championship game.
Ingram Needs to Bounce Back
Coach Nick Saban's Crimson Tide barely kept its perfect season intact, escaping with a 26-21 road victory over rival Auburn on Saturday, Nov. 28. Ingram was limited to 30 yards on 16 carries and suffered a hip injury late in the game.
The sophomore will need to be healthy and rolling vs. Florida. While Trent Richardson is a strong second option at running back, rushing for 562 yards and six touchdowns, Ingram is the heart of the offense.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pounder has rushed 221 times for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and 119.1 yards per game. And Ingram is second on the team in receptions, witth 28 catches for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Thanks largely to Ingram, Alabama has good offensive numbers — 31.7 points and 407.4 yards per game. But the unit, which managed only 291 yards vs. Auburn, still falls short of electrifying.
Tide Will Need Some Extra Spark
Quarterback Greg McElroy's been solid, hitting on 60.8 percent of his passes for 2,211 yards and 16 TDs. He's thrown only four interceptions, and his team's committed just 10 turnovers. But on Saturday, the Tide might have to do a bit more than just be efficient.
The key could be receiver Julio Jones (40 catches, 545 yards, 4 TDs). The sophomore had a career-high nine receptions vs. Auburn — including four on his team's decisive 79-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. He'll be sorely needed again Saturday against the nation's top-rated pass defense.
But Alabama's most explosive player might be cornerback Javier Arenas, who's effective returning punts (16.6 average, 1 TD) and kickoffs (29.5 average). Kicker Leigh Tiffin, who's 27 for 31 on field goal attempts, is another effective special teams weapon.
Tide No. 3 in Run Defense
Alabama yielded an uncharacteristically high 151 rushing yards vs, Auburn. But the Tide still has the No. 3 run defense in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing an average of 77.1 yards per game. And it will be needed against a Florida rushing attack that ranks sixth in the FBS.
One star is linebacker Rolando McClain, who's posted a team-high 96 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions. Another is safety Mark Barron, who has seven interceptions of his team's 19 interceptions.
Barron, who's made 61 tackles and broken up 10 passes, is joined in a tough secondary by Arenas (64 tackles, 2 interceptions), safety Justin Woodall (3 interceptions) and cornerback Kareem Jackson.
Arenas is a devastating blitzer from his corner spot, recording 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Alabama has 31 sacks overall, with lineman Marcell Dareus collecting 6.5 and linebacker Eryk Anders contributing five. Tackle Terrence Cody, a magnet for double teams, makes many of the sacks possible.
Florida Offense PIcks Up Pace
While Alabama struggled against Auburn, Florida cruised past Florida State 37-10. Coach Urban Meyer's Gators gained 545 yards — their highest total against an opponent from a BCS conference this season.
Tebow spearheads an offense that ranks 10th in the FBS in scoring (36.5 points per game) and 12th in total offense (451.33 yards). Working like a sledgehammer fullback in a spread option offense, Tebow has rushed for a team-high 796 yards and 13 touchdowns
The senior is fifth in the FBS in passing efficiency with a 160.7 rating, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,166 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has two steady targets in tight end Aaron Hernandez (51 catches, 654 yards, 4 TDs) and Riley Cooper (41 receptions, 703 yards, 8 TDs).
But to have any real success vs. Alabama's defense, the Gators need backfield production from Jeffery Demps (729 yards, 7 TDs) or Chris Rainey (541 yards, 4 TDs). And a big return by Brandon James wouldn't hurt, either.
Gators Defense Consistent
Florida has surrendered more than 300 yards in just two games, with Arkansas managing the season-high of 357 in a 23-20 loss on Oct. 17 to the Gators. Arkansas is also the only team to score 20 points vs. Florida.
The Gators are yielding only 89.9 rushing yards per contest, largely due to standout linebackers Ryan Stamper (71 tackles) and Brandon Spikes (53 tackles in 10 games). Florida has recorded 34 sacks, including seven each by ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham.
The secondary is led by cornerback Joe Haden (4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles) and safety Ahmad Black (57 tackles). Florida has intercepted 20 passes, with DBs A.J. Jones and Major Wright making three picks apiece, and Stamper and Spikes adding two each.
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