Game To Watch: #1 Alabama vs #11 Florida: September 18, 2021
Alabama will make the trip to Gainesville to play Florida on Saturday at 3:30 EST. Alabama has dominated through two weeks and looks primed to make another Playoff run this year. Florida is also undefeated but hasn’t really been tested yet this season. The Tide and Gators played for the SEC Championship last year and both would like to win their division again in 2021. This game will give the winner a nice head start in conference.
Recent History
Alabama is 26 – 14 all time against Florida, including the 52 – 46 win in the SEC Championship game last year. In fact, Alabama has won seven in a row against the Gators dating back to 2009. Florida’s last win against the Crimson Tide came in the 2008 SEC Championship game by a score of 31 – 20.
Top 25 Players
Alabama
| Player | Rank |
|---|---|
| John Metchie III | #7 WR |
| Jahleel Billingsly | #20 TE |
| Evan Neal | #3 OT |
| Emil Ekoyer Jr | #2 G/C |
| Will Anderson | #5 DE |
| Phidarian Mathis | #6 DT |
| Christian Harris | #9 LB |
| Henry To’o To’o | #12 LB |
| Malachi Moore | #5 CB |
| Josh Jobe | #20 CB |
| Jordan Battle | #4 S |
Florida
| Player | Rank |
|---|---|
| Keon Zipperer | #23 TE |
| Antonio Vanetino | #20 DT |
| Ventrell Miller | #7 LB |
| Kaiir Elam | #15 CB |
Miami Hurricanes Gear
What To Watch For…
Can Florida Slow Down Bryce Young?
Bryce Young has been very sharp early on this season, but will still be making just the third start of his career Saturday. He has been outstanding so far, showing the ability to make big plays but also play smart football. Of course, Young has had a comfortable lead in both games and has not been forced to make plays when his team is behind either. Nonetheless, he has completed over 70 percent of his passes at 8.8 yards per attempt with 7 touchdowns and no interceptions. He has made big plays and avoided mistakes through his first two starts. Florida will be tasked with disrupting Alabama’s star quarterback. The Gators have not played a team with nearly the talent Alabama has, but they have pressured the quarterback (3.5 sacks per game) and stifled the opponents running game (2.6 yards per carry against). Florida will try to make Alabama’s offense one dimensional, put pressure on Young and see if they can’t force the young quarterback to make mistakes. Young has been up to the challenge so far this season and will look to continue his strong play in the SEC opener.
Can Florida Throw the Ball Well Enough to Win?
The Gators are averaging 38.5 points per game through two games, but have not been particularly efficient throwing the ball. Emory Jones has averaged just 5.4 yards per attempt this year and has four interceptions against just two touchdown passes. His struggles have paved the way for Anthony Richardson to see time at quarterback, though most of Richardson’s success has come as a runner. He has a limited sample throwing the ball, completing 6 of 11 passes for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. Alabama’s defense has been very good this year, and will be nearly impossible to beat if the offense is one dimensional. Alabama has an extremely talented front seven that can impose it’s will on the game if the opposing offense does not keep them off balance. Dan Mullen is an excellent offensive coach, he will have to be at his best to get the passing game going and keep the Alabama defense off balance.
Can Alabama’s Defensive Front Handle the QB Run Game?
In the past the Alabama defense has been susceptible to the quarterback run game. So far this season, they did a good job of limiting Miami’s D’Eriq King in the season opener, but King was coming off a knee injury and was playing his first game since the injury. Florida has made the quarterback run a cornerstone of their offense this season. Both of the Gators quarterbacks have been an explosive part of the running game. Through two games, Emory Jones has run the ball 23 times for 155 yards and 1 touchdown and Anthony Richardson has 11 carries for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Gators have benefited from explosive running plays from their quarterbacks and will attempt to continue that trend against a stingy Alabama defense.
Prediction
Alabama is the top ranked team in the country, but will face their toughest test of the season on Saturday. Alabama will attempt to remain balanced on offense, pounding away at the Florida defense with their running game and hitting big plays in the passing game. Florida will have some wrinkles in their game plan to keep the defense off balance and stay within striking distance. The problem for the Gators is the talent gap is significant and Alabama will impose it’s will on the game over the course of 60 minutes. Alabama 52 Florida 31.
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The Swamp image taken by Rudi Riet is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
