Alabama Coach Nick Saban

THE COMMITTEE IS WATCHING: Presumably the playoff selection committee will have an easy call if Alabama wins – and nearly certainly if the Tide loses, too. No. 18 Florida might be lucky to score against second-ranked and heavily favored Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

“We’ve got to complete passes when guys are open and create some explosive plays and consistency”, McElwain said.

What’s hard to dispute: They’re the two best defenses in the SEC, even if Alabama seems to get most of the attention. It’s a huge challenge.

“This is an outstanding team that we’re playing.” says coach Saban. He’s outgoing. He’s got a good personality. “I’ve got to tell you how proud I am of our team and how they’ve competed week in and week out and really invested in each other”.

Each of those 13 schools should ante up $2 million and offer Nick Saban $26 million to retire or go coach somewhere, anywhere, other than the SEC.

Alabama is riding a nine-game winning streak since losing at home to Ole Miss, 43-37, on September 19. I can’t help but wonder if LSU kept Miles because Jimbo Fisher said no or if he said no because LSU made a decision to keep Miles. We had downs in the season, but everybody stuck through and we pulled through. “I’m proud he’s a Gator”.

“I expect a dominant performance from our defense”, he said.

Florida ranks seventh in the nation in rushing defense, as it is allowing just 111.3 yards per game on the ground and 3.3 yards per carry. Florida managed only 262 yards Saturday night to FSU, avoiding its first shutout loss since 1988 thanks to a safety in the fourth quarter. Under McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, the offense shifted to more of a conventional pro-style attack where the quarterback is mostly a pocket passer, something Harris does not always appear comfortable with. Florida is 7 for 30 the past two games (23.3 percent) on third down.

A few running backs wore No. 21 jerseys to help the Crimson Tide get ready to face running back Kelvin Taylor. After just 10 regular-season victories in his first two seasons, then the coaching change from Will Muschamp to Jim McElwain, Hargreaves has relished the team’s success. The UNDER is 5-0 in Florida’s last five games as the defense has continued to play well through the offense’s struggles. “They’ve shown an ability to run the ball”. They understand fall Saturdays can have a very real impact.

If Henry’s the best option, that’s where Alabama will go with the football over and over again. “But obviously he was not able to overtake a guy who’d been in the offense for four years”.

Florida co-defensive coordinators Geoff Collins and ex-Miami coach Randy Shannon both drew interest for the now-filled UCF head job.

“He talked to the team”, McElwain said. Kicker Adam Griffith was named SEC special teams player of the week after going 5-5 on field goals against the Tigers. Florida should not be faulted for playing the teams on their schedule, but they can be faulted for the way they have played. If the Gators want to keep Saturday’s game close with a chance to win, they’ll have to do so in a defensive battle.

Later, Coker said he hoped to hear from members of his family.

“They’re as good as anybody at taking away what you do best, knowing your tendencies and what you’re going to do out of it and having an answer and be a step ahead of the game”.

“For us to be where we’re at, that’s pretty cool”.