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Defense wins championships at Alabama, and the 25th anniversary of the SEC Championship Game was no different than past Alabama football championship teams.
Defense wins championships at Alabama, and the 25th anniversary of the SEC Championship Game was no different than past Alabama football championship teams.
The Florida Gators ran into the anaconda vice Jeremy Pruitt defense on Saturday, not being able to escape Alabama’s grip in a decisive 54-16 Crimson Tide victory.
The Gator offense came out with a game-opening touchdown drive and closed the first half with yet another Coach Mac methodical drive for another touchdown. The problem for Florida was the play of Alabama defense and special teams in between those series – as the Tide accounted for two touchdowns via a pick-six TD and a blocked punt for another score.
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Florida coach Jim McElwain’s offense started to feel Alabama’s big squeeze defense early and often, with two interceptions on Florida’s first three possessions. By the end of the first quarter, Florida quarterback Austin Appleby was diving to the Georgia Dome turf to avoid Reuben Foster’s bone-crushing hits.
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With the offense struggling special teams coach Burton Burns brought the heat on special teams, as Derrick Gore blocked a punt deep in Florida territory that resulted in a touchdown. Florida’s special team follies didn’t end there when they decided to run a fake punt that resulted in a gimme 3 points for the rattled and beat-up Adam Griffith.
By the second quarter, Lane Kiffin’s offense had Florida defenders brains looking like scrambled eggs with his play calling. The genius of it all finally shined through when Calvin Ridley was wide open when blitzing Gator edge defenders were out of place for a 52-yard reception that set up a touchdown pass to transfer Gehrig Dieter. Special teams play kept Alabama’s momentum strong with Trevor Diggs’ big punt returns and Bo Scarbrough’s running back play.
But 33 points wasn’t enough for Saban. He wanted more.
After another impressive Gator drive to start the second half, Alabama’s defense once again stepped up to the plate and hit a home run – stopping Florida when Rashaan Evans introduced himself to Gator running back Jordan Scarlett with a crushing blow on the 1-yard line that not only stopped Florida’s offense but took the life out of the Gators.
After a lackluster night, Alabama’s offense finally morphed into what it really is – a monster. Saban unleashed an eight-run, one-pass drive that sealed the deal for the Crimson Tide victory. It was all academic after that.
One Gator late in the game bit off more then he could chew when he face-masked and belly-to-back suplexed Joshua Jacobs – causing him to get thrown out of the game. Saban’s response to the Florida’s WWE-style defense was to being in the elephant package and crush Florida linebackers.
That is why I love Nick Saban. By the middle of the fourth quarter, it was mop-up duty and CBS turned the broadcast into the Verne Lundquist farewell tour. By the time the clock struck zero, Saban was smiling and fist-pumping – enjoying his second-ever undefeated regular season.
Saban and Co. are not done, it’s a sealed deal now: the SEC champs are playoff-bound.
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