The University of Alabama Football and Crimson Tide Sports Source
April 20, 2024
September 18, 2014
UF Gators
The SEC opener for the Tide brings the Gators into Bryant-Denny. Both teams have defenses with blemishes. Florida has a quarterback trying to erase bad memories. Alabama has a quarterback trying to prove he belongs.
Can the Gators take advantage of an Alabama secondary that has had its issues? That’s the $64,000 question. Bama’s cornerbacks have looked vulnerable. West Virginia lit them up. Can Florida do that? If they can and do it consistently they have a chance to pull a upset that will go a long way toward extending the Muschamp coaching regime.
What the Tide has going for it that it didn’t have last year – is a solid pass rush. Since 2011 Alabama has not been able to consistently disrupt an opposing passer. This year that’s not the case. Alabama has been able to exert pressure on and sack quarterbacks. That slows down the passing game and helps take pressure off the defensive backs.
Florida had issues of its own last week as Kentucky lit them up and came within an eyelash of taking out the Gators in the Swamp. Can Alabama expose the Gator secondary? What Alabama will likely do is try to literally run the Gators out of the stadium. If the Tide can run on Florida, they might not need to test the defensive backs with an assertive passing game.
Look for Alabama to do just that. Take three backs: Yedon, Henry and Drake and run until Florida makes them throw. Florida will get some yards early but the Tide will adjust. As I see it Alabama 31 Florida 17.
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