SEC title game: 'The real National Championship'

Nov. 30, 2009 / By Covers

The year was 1992.

President Bush had just left the White House for a Democratic administration, the U.S. was coming off a war with Iraq, the economy was in the crapper, health-care reform was the hot topic of conversation and Alabama and Florida were playing in the inaugural SEC Championship Game.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Fast forward to 2009, when national events have come full circle, and so has the chase for the SEC and national titles. With the No. 1 Gators and No. 2 Crimson Tide completing perfect regular seasons, the winner is assured a spot in the BCS title game and will likely be a heavy favorite.

Such a scenario seemed unlikely in 1992, when the new and controversial format for crowning an SEC champion was believed to make it impossible for the league to win another national title by adding another opportunity for a loss. The SEC has won six national titles since then.

Not only did Alabama go on to win it all that first year, but this year's SEC champ will have the chance to become the fourth straight national No. 1 to hail from the league. Southerners' half-joking reference to the SEC title tilt as ''the real national championship game'' is no joke this season.

These two teams have been the cream of the crop all season. Unlike in 1992, when the Gators and Steve Spurrier's Fun-N-Gun offense faced the Tide and Gene Stallings' Crimson Curtain defense, this year's teams are solid on both sides of the ball and should yield a chess match on turf.

Offense

The Gators and Superman-in-pads quarterback Tim Tebow get the nod in this one, with Florida averaging 37 points and 443 yards per game. Talk about balance; only TCU joins the Gators as the two teams to pile up more than 2,500 yards rushing and 2,500 yards passing on the season.

And the balancing act doesn't stop there. Tebow spreads the ball around like a mother bird feeds her young, forcing opponents to defend the entire field and all his weapons. His ability to run the triple-option and to throw from the pocket or on the run puts tons of pressure on defenses.

Tebow leads the team in rushing, but only because of the many options available to him on the handoff or inside/outside pitch. Running backs Jeffery Demps, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody all have more than 50 carries from Tebow, who has 13 rushing TDs to their combined 11.

Tebow is even more effective at spreading the ball around to his receivers. Six have double-digits in receptions this year, led by tight end Aaron Hernandez and receiver Riley Cooper. Tebow's multiple targets make it difficult for defenses to cover the field and apply pressure.

Alabama may not have the depth of offensive weapons but the top producers are impressive. Sophomore running back Mark Ingram has been the workhorse for the Tide with over 1,400 yards and 12 TDs, but the Tide has begun to utilize quicker backs Trent Richardson and Roy Upchurch.

What may surprise those who view quarterback Greg McElroy as a weakness is the Tide's balance on offense - 417 total yards per game with 200 of it coming through the air. McElory has had a solid year statistically (16 TDs to 4 INTs), but he does have a tendency to be off-target.

His top three receivers are outstanding. Julio Jones, Marquis Maze and Colin Peek have combined for more than 1,000 yards through the air. But McElroy loves to use his backs out of the backfield as safety valves that can break free in the secondary. Ingram is also the team's third leading receiver.

Defense

Alabama gets the edge on defense, which is true no matter who it plays. The Tide's top-ranked defense is tough, physical, fast and smart — a reflection of head coach Nick Saban's philosophy. The Tide is allowing just over 10 points per outing and 239 total yards — third best nationally.

Linebacker Rolando McClain is once again the team's top tackler and the QB on defense. Nose guard Terrence Cody is a mountain of a man who can stuff the run and force Tebow to explore other avenues, while Mark Barron and Javier Arenas make plays no matter where the ball is.

The Tide has collected 19 interceptions this season, a tribute to both the secondary's speed and pressure applied to opposing quarterbacks. That may be easier said than done against Tebow, who has a strong line, patience in the pocket and the ability to run if protection breaks down.

Florida's defense is not far behind the Tide's. In fact, the Gators' D outranks them in several categories - the nation's No. 1 scoring defense (10 points per game) and No. 2 in total yards allowed per game (229.8). The Gators defense has allowed only 11 touchdowns all season.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and linebacker Brandon Spikes anchor the Gators' ability to stop the run up front as well as put pressure on McElroy in the backfield. If Alabama's veteran offensive line can control these two, good things can happen. If not, see the Gators' previous 12 games.

Florida is most dangerous when the ball is in the air with several lightning-fast secondary players who can make up ground in a hurry. The Gators have 20 interceptions on the season, three apiece for Joe Haden, A.J. Jones and Major Wright. They have the horses to hang with the Tide.

Intangibles

If failure is the best motivator then score one for the Tide in light of last year's 31-20 defeat at the hands of the Gators in the SEC title game. Alabama dominated the game for three quarters, but allowed Tebow to lead two long touchdowns drives in the final quarter for the easy win and the late cover (-10.5, ouch).

There are other factors that could sway the game Alabama's way. If the Tide can establish their running game and control the clock that will be their easiest path to victory. It's impossible for any team to shut down Tebow & Co., but Alabama must limit him and win the turnover battle. If the Tide can keep it close, it has a real advantage in field goal kicking with Leigh Tiffin, who has hit on 29-of-34 attempts this season with a longest of 50.

All other signs point to Florida, including the often overlooked factor of kick and punt returns. The Gators have speed to burn on their return teams, preventing Alabama from kicking away from the threat. The Tide has struggled all year at stopping teams from getting good starting field position.

And although Alabama may have the revenge factor as motivation, the Gators hold just about every other key factor. Tebow's leadership as a three-year starter, the experience of two national championships among the senior class and the desire to repeat are difficult for Alabama to overcome.

History may be on Alabama's side if you look at it from a historical perspective. It dominated the conference for years back when the Bear was there. But this isn't the 1960s, nor is it 1992. The Gators are 4-2 against the Tide in SEC championship games and 2009 looks to be their year.