1. Alabama is 3rd nationally in total and scoring defense. Allowing only 11.5 ppg, Bama has pitched two shutouts and held four other opponents to single digits. They shutout Auburn Saturday, and while Auburn sucks, it's impressive when you shutout your rival.
2. The Tide averages about 200 ypg on the ground behind RBs Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram. They have 20 of Bama's 30 rushing touchdowns. In comparison, John Parker Wilson and his bangs only have nine touchdown passes.
3. Urban Meyer says Percy Harvin is questionable and game planning without him.
“It’s day-to-day,” Meyer said. “He certainly won’t practice the first couple of days. He’s here and moving around a little bit. We’ll see what happens...
“Obviously, we’ve thought about it because we’ve had to play through it (not having Harvin) a couple of times before. We have a plan. I just hope he’s ready.”
4. This ESPN article; "Polls show disturbing trend."
Thanks in part to SEC opponents Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt all losing nonconference games Saturday, No. 4 Florida lost some schedule strength in the BCS computers and still trails the No. 3 position in the BCS standings by a decent margin.
That raises the question: Is it still certain that Florida reaches the BCS National Championship Game by simply beating No. 1 Alabama on Saturday?
The article goes on to state that if Florida wins Saturday, it is highly unlikely they would miss out. Plus, winning the game is a lot more important than hoping a few laptops break your way. But it is a sad state of affairs when the winner of a conference (include a one loss Oklahoma too since the pollsters have shown a willingness to move them around) is left behind for no apparent reason. The argument here is not that Florida should be in the title game (because I'm not being a jinx). The argument is that we should know what it takes to get to that game. All we have are assumptions. And at this point, a Florida-Texas BCS title game is as possible as a Alabama-Oklahoma game.
0 recs | 24 comments
My Thoughts...
1) Alabama has the best defense we will face all season (by far), but they haven’t matched up against anyone like us this year. Even if they contain our offense for long stretches, we still have quick strike ability all over the field to capitalize on any opportunities we may have. I’m concerned, but not worried about this match-up.
2) I think we struggle against smaller, quick type backs. Their power running game is impressive, but we should be able to contain it. We’ll focus in on the ground game and make J.P. Wilson win the game for them if he can and, like Stafford before him, he’ll likely fail.
3) Losing Percy hurts, but it’s not a deathblow. We’ll miss his versatility, but we have plenty of playmakers and some of them will have to step up in his place. For the record, I think he’ll play, but mostly as a decoy.
4) Don’t worry about the polls. Now that the Big XII South has been settled, voting will return to normal. In fact, you’re likely to see the Longhorns effect (gaining on Oklahoma despite the Sooners posting the more impressive win) go to work for us as voters make sure that the SEC Champ makes it to the Title Game.
ejruiz - December 1, 2008
What makes our offense special
Is not the amount of points put up. Its controlling the game and taking away offensive possessions for the opposition. If we can control the line of scrimmage (which i believe we will) and grind out long drives, that could spell trouble for the UF offense.
Our defense will probably give up some points. Its to be expected. But i don’t believe your defense is big enough to stop what we do. Your D is very much like Auburns D (small and fast) and you see what we did to them. They put 8-9 men in the box and we still ran for 200+ yards.
The key to this game will be Alabama ability to control the clock. If we can do that and force UF’s offense to make quick strikes, then we have the advantage. BUT If UF scores quickly and forces Bama to go to the air, then it could be a very long day. It all depends on that 1st quarter. If bama survives it, watch out. Either way its going to be a great game.
Good Luck and here’e hoping to a well played game!
bammer - December 1, 2008
Exactly
Bama doesn’t play perfect ball, but they minimize risk very well. I think the mitigate the big play on defense and force you to be consistent. On defense, they just hammer the hell out of you, plain and simple. Its going to be interesting to see how this one turns out.
BurritoBrosShits - December 1, 2008
Same to you. This is the matchup I wanted since day one.
Whoever wins better destroy the pansy they face in the Championship game.
If you beat Florida, its going to be a nailbiter. Bias aside, I honestly think Florida will win big. They are just unstoppable, and even as a fan of theirs—-im scared of them.
Slica - December 2, 2008
comparison of our defense against Auburn
Our defense gives up just over 100 rushing yards per game while Auburn gives up nearly 140 yards rushing per game. Our defense is aided by our offense jumping out early and forcing the opponent to pass more than it wants to. That will be the strategy the Gators hope to deploy Saturday.
Over the second half of our season we have faced several defenses which have at the time, been “the best we have faced so far” and left them grasping for air in the first half en route to blowout wins. If you look at common opponents faced this season, Gator fans will like what they see.
This isn’t to say that ‘Bama is going to just come in and lie down for us. Bama will come ready to play and we’ll have to do the same. These are 2 of the best coached teams in the country and they both thrive in big games. I have not seen a line yet – but my feeling is that either UF wins a laugher or Bama wins a close one. I think it is unlikely to be any other result.
Also, why are we still reading about the polls? Don’t worry about them. The winner of this game will play in the BCS Championship Game. Period. No argument. It’s not even close. The winner will almost surely be #1 and at the absolute worst, #2.
I also can’t wait to see what the Big 12 opponent’s offense will do against either of these great SEC defenses.
skigator93 - December 1, 2008
bleh.
Amen to that.
brandonh - December 1, 2008
Yeah i wasn't comparing
the two defense when it comes to ability. Of course UF’s defense is much better than AU’s. I was speaking more of style of play and type of players. And yes i see this as a close game that can go either way. Not a blow out by either team.
bammer - December 1, 2008
Coffee scares me...
…because of the big days UF has allowed by opposing running backs in the past. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very confident in the Gators’ D, but from time to time I get visions of Travis Stephens and I almost make myself sick. UF did their job against Charles Scott and LSU and I’m hoping for the same against Coffee. If he can get going early, it could be a long day.
The Bull Gator - December 1, 2008
Size of defense
You guys can correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think we are particularly small on defense. Our lineman seem to be in the 290+ range.
skigator93 - December 1, 2008
They are smaller than usual
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/roster?teamId=57
Just looking down the list i see a lot of guys at the 270 mark.
Its not like they are tiny. No DLineman is going to be small. Its just from what i have seen this year and from what i have heard come out of Myers mouth, he wants speed. He’s not going to pound you. We pound you. All day and all night.
bammer - December 1, 2008
Speed and strength are not mutually exclusive, old chap – UF destroyed FSU (the previous ‘toughest defence faced all year’) on both sides of the ball despite playing in a monsoon in a rice paddy. It’s easy to make this a ‘speed v strength’ matchup, and most of the media will do exactly that, but this year’s UF team isn’t some featherweight finesse crew that’ll fold the first time they get punched in the mouth.
peachy rex - December 1, 2008
And I’d add that Bama is awfully fast itself – you don’t win eight in the SEC by stocking your roster entirely with leaden-footed ‘50s throwbacks. There is a contrast in styles, no doubt, but it’s more nuanced than big v small, strong v slow, hulking v nimble, etc.
peachy rex - December 1, 2008
Never said we were huge
And never said that UF was small, just that they are smaller than usual. What i did say was that it looks like AU’s defense is very similiar in size and style as UF"s. A bit smaller and built for speed. IN contrast our o line is built to maul people. That is why we sometimes have trouble with speed rushers in passing situations. We aren’t that nimble.
And i know you guys are cocky. Hell who wouldn’t be. But we aren’t FSU, USC, UK or Ole Miss. We are undefeated with arguably the best defense in the nation. You guys lost a game to a team you should have beaten early in the season. Unlike most i won’t hold a early season loss against you. That loss woke you guys up. Just remember what beat you guys the first time and then think about that we do it much better than Ole Miss. But you guys are walloping every team in your way. Just don’t underestimate this team.Everyone is padding your backs and expecting a blow out. Just don’t be surprised if it goes the other way.
bammer - December 2, 2008
Listen, old chap, I never said UF was going to win in a blowout – I’m fairly certain Bama is the best team we’ve faced yet, and I strongly suspect the reverse is also true. I was merely pointing out that we should be careful with the strength v speed paradigm being tossed around in the media (just about every single article I’ve seen, not to mention the ‘analysts’ on the tube); the teams certainly have different styles, but both are fast and strong. It should be an excellent game, and I fully expect it to go down to the very end.
peachy rex - December 2, 2008
whats with all this chap crap.....
You sound like a douche….
bammer - December 2, 2008
Hmm – you come on to a rival’s blog, encounter someone who is willing to be polite in disagreement (despite finding you absolutely obnoxious in every way) and discuss matters objectively, and still find a way to insult them. And then you wonder why people don’t consider you the most charming person in the world…
peachy rex - December 2, 2008
You still didn't answer the question
And i could care less what you think of me.
bammer - December 3, 2008
look again280.
The defensive linemen on UF’s roster average 280.7 lbs
The defensive linemen on Bama’s roster average 282.1 lbs….and that includes Cody at 380 which drives up the average.
So yeah, I guess you could say that our defensive is smaller than yours by an average of 1 and a half pounds per man. I wouldn’t count on that making too big of a difference though.
While I was at it, I compared OL size too. Average weight of Bama OL is 287. Average weight of UF OL is 297.8
So if you think that Bama’s linemen will be pushing smaller UF lineman all over the field, you might want to look for another angle.
skigator93 - December 1, 2008
look again at the O line size.
For the starters on the line, Mike Johnson is the only one under 300 at 299. The only player I can think of that might play when it’s not garbage time is Evan Cardwell and he’s 279. So of the offensive linemen that would be playing in the game, the average weight (if i remember what CBS said correctly) is around 308-310 pounds. LSU is the only team with the bigger line in the conference, but I’d personally take ours over theirs any day.
jsholt969 - December 2, 2008
now if you want to include...
players who only play when the game is out of reach, then sure, our average line size is what you said, but don’t think that your D is going to be going up against a line averaging less than 300, cuz that’s just not true.
jsholt969 - December 2, 2008
same comment
Most of those smaller guys on the DL that Bammer was referring to do not see the field on gameday. We handled LSU’s big line pretty well, so I just don’t see the size thing being an issue.
skigator93 - December 2, 2008
You can't compare our Defense to yours
To totally different systems. Our d line is ment only to plug the gaps from the inside out. Letting the LB’s flow freely forcing the ball to the outside. No one and i mean NO ONE has run inside on us. LSU did it just a little bit but really got to the edge on us. That is where UF will attack but without Harvin (perhaps) to strech the field, it MIGHT be hampered a bit. I know dempsey is a fine back with a lot of speed but he has been shut down a few time this year. If alabama can contain the running game (which should happen if you look at past games) and force Tebow to be one dimensional by throwing the ball, we have more than a good shot. I do worry about your speed guys against our corners but its not like our guys are slugs. That will be the only matchup that worries me.
In contrast, our offense must be able to run the ball. Getting in a shoot out will spell disaster for us. Your LB’s, especially Spikes, will have to play their best game this week. We aren’t going to do anything fancy. We will line up and run right at you. The only team that has tried to do that against yall is LSU. The problem with that was you guys were up by what 21 before they got a chance to set up their offense. Barring a freak of nature, that won’t happen against us. We just don’t get in those types of situations.
bammer - December 2, 2008
yes, LSU's line is bigger,
but i also said that I’d take our line over theirs any day. There’s two linemen who will be making big money in the NFL next year. The rest are all solid. Everybody thought we could only run to the left side of the line until we proved them wrong last week. It’s a good line. With two of your D linemen out for the game, that only gives Bama more of an edge on the running game.
But we shall see on Saturday. I may be wrong, but I’ve enjoyed watching this O-line play this year more than about any other I’ve seen in a long time (for any team).
jsholt969 - December 3, 2008
I absolutely agree teams ought to know what they have to do to get in the championship game.
I’m no fan of the role of the “computers” – their use is somehow pitched as bringing “objective” analysis into the equation when in reality they reflect the opinion & biases of the person who programmed them. In effect, those programmers are “super voters” with more clout than the individuals who participate in the “human” polls.
But there’s nothing we can do about computers – all we can do is win the game and see what happens.
BD57 - December 2, 2008
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