Campus Clash
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide at (11) Florida Gators
Alabama: So, let me just get this sentence out of the way. I know it’s obvious, but still. This is the gold standard in college football right now. I can also say that they are so far up on the mountain with everybody else simply looking up at them. In week two, they won their 99th consecutive game against an unranked opponent. Mercer was unfortunately the latest victim. Even when I recorded an episode of my IGTV series, “What’s on Tap”, I called that game for them a scrimmage. As I said before their week one game, they will never rebuild. That’s just not in their DNA. They will load back up and come out better than ever. I want to talk about the quarterback, Bryce Young. First, I love his pocket presence. When pressure is coming from one side, he will move in the opposite direction and still set his feet to make that pass. Bryce displays good elusiveness and quick feet. He understands he’s a mobile guy, but he wants to establish himself in the pocket and I like that. The Crimson Tide are so balanced offensively because they can beat you with the passing attack and still lean upon the ground game. One thing about them is they will always have a standout defense. They do such a strong job of making you a one-dimensional football team. On Saturday, they make an appearance at the swamp in Gainesville.
Florida: To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect from them heading into the 2021 season. They lost some key pieces who were major contributions to their SEC East division title winning team. Kyle Trask was consistent for them at quarterback, and he knew how to run an offense. One thing about head coach Dan Mullen, he’s going to develop a quarterback. Before becoming a head coach, he was a quarterbacks coach. He has that offensive background. The other guy they lost was Kyle Pitts, the standout tight end. I see so much of Jimmy Graham from the Saints with his style of play because he can line up wide, in the slot, as a prototypical tight end and he’s a playmaker. On the defensive side, star defensive tackle Jabari Zuniga is also gone. I caught some of the Gators last game against the South Florida Bulls. They were dominant in every phase of the game in the first half. It was the second half of the game which concerned me because they stumbled. In the third quarter, they were outscored, 10-0 and they didn’t look all that sharp in the fourth quarter either. Freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson also left this game with a hamstring injury and his status is uncertain. Dan already announced that Emory Jones will be the starting quarterback moving forward. Having two good options at quarterback is tough at times. The defense needs to improve in a few phases of the game such as finishing tackles and the secondary needs to tighten things up. They return home on Saturday to welcome the champs to town.
Alabama X-Factor: Brian Robinson Jr.- To some, he has the most complete skillset out of any other running back that’s played for Alabama. Brian plays with a low center of gravity first and foremost. He’s a strong, yet shifty runner that can power himself up to stay on his feet for those additional yards. Brian has a great ability to cut back to get away from would be tacklers. He follows his blockers and knows how to space things out.
Florida X-Factor: Brenton Cox Jr.– He’s a veteran on this Florida defense. Brenton is an outside linebacker that can put his hand down in the dirt to also play defensive end. I can always appreciate a good nose for the football. He has one because every time you see the opponent with the ball, there he is in on the madness to make the tackle. I like that he’s always aware of his surroundings. It takes a lot to fool him.
Final Thoughts: Saturday afternoon starts SEC play. This will also be the Crimson Tide’s first game in Tuscaloosa in ten years. Also, this is a rematch of last season’s SEC conference title game which Alabama won in a shootout back in December of 2020. In the two games Alabama has played this year, I’ve yet to see Bryce Young on his back which means Alabama has yet another strong offensive line. Florida needs to create pressure and try their best to rattle the quarterback. On the offensive side, Florida can’t get into a shootout and match Bama score for score. They tried that in the conference title game last year and look how that ended for them. The Tide will do what it is they do. Lots of balance offensively, taking those shots down the field and handling their business on the defensive side. Florida must play close to perfect football to even have a chance in this game.
Prediction: Alabama 45 Florida 22
