Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Crimson Tide Will Emerge From SEC
You might like it. You might hate it.
You might think the horrible SEC referees are pulling an inside job. (I'll expect a reprimand from the SEC office later this week. After all, freedom of speech doesn't refer to referees, right?)
Needless to say, all roads point to Florida and Alabama meeting in the Georgia Dome for the SEC title and berth in the BCS National Championship. The Gators' biggest hurdle seems to be Georgia, while Alabama still has a tough game against LSU. While anything can happen, rest assured, the showdown at the Georgia Dome will be as big a college football game as we've seen.
So who's better? The AP's No. 1, Alabama, or the top pick of the BCS, the Florida Gators.
For me, it's no question. Gotta go with the Tide.
Why Alabama and not Florida?
Would I be crazy to say offense?
The Tide wins games the old-fashioned way: hard-nosed, aggressive, in-your-face defense. They don't need their offense to produce big numbers, let alone big plays. Last weekend, 'Bama didn't even need a touchdown to keep their unblemished streak in tact. And yes, though it came down to special teams, I give the 'Bama D most of the credit for the win. Terrence Cody, a human defensive line, should be a top NFL pick (St. Louis, you might be lucky).
Meanwhile, Florida's defense certainly is no slouch, and like Alabama, they've been the key to the unbeaten streak, and they've shutdown teams in the same style as the Crimson Tide, not counting Arkansas. Even without Brandon Spikes, the Gator defense has risen to the occasion when needed. They shutdown LSU in Baton Rouge, and when Mississippi State made it close with big defensive plays, the Gators shutdown the Bulldog offense and is carrying the banner for Florida's chances at a repeat national title.
No, the key is in the offense. Florida's Tim Tebow has constantly sacrificed his body to the wolves. Tebow doesn't have the weapons that he's accustomed to. There's no Percy Harvin eating up yards in big chunks, no Dallas Baker, aka "The Touchdown Maker." The Florida offense lacks the firepower of old, while Tebow at times seems as though he's trying to win the game by himself. Secondly, Tebow is making mistakes that he rarely ever did the last two years. The offensive line is not the same as it used to be, and a clearly more rattled Tebow has made some odd choices at times.
Need two examples? Sure thing.
1) Late in the first half against Mississippi State. With the Gators up 13-3 and a chance to, at worst, kick a field goal and go up 16-3 at the half, Tebow throws a pass that ended up as a 100-yard pick six. Talk about a SEC record of Tebow's that will be hidden in the depths of media guides to come.
2) Late in the game against LSU, Tebow threw an odd pass that ended up being picked off by the Tigers. While the Gator D was easily strong enough to win the game, the odd decision by Tebow to make that pass late in the game puzzled not only Gator fans, but the announcers as well.
Meanwhile, Alabama's Greg McElroy has the easiest QB job in college football. He has a fierce defense that will consistently set him up with great field position. He has a fantastic, mammoth offensive line that allows him to pull up a lawn chair and drink a glass of lemonade before throwing the ball. He's got solid receivers in Julio Jones and Marquis Maze.
Oh yeah, and then there's this guy called Ingram ... a running back of some sort that has seemed to shred through holes for big yardage. In all seriousness, Mark Ingram, who's already crossed the 1,000-yard threshold, could be Alabama's first Heisman winner and gives McElroy the balance needed to make his throws without opponents stacking the line.
This year's SEC title game will be more defensive, low-scoring, and a close game all the way until the end. However, with the difference being the offense, Alabama will emerge with a ticket to Pasadena.