The SEC Championship Game is coming up within the hour…I’ll be blogging live as I watch the game here. Most of you who follow me know that I am a life-long Alabama Crimson Tide fan. I was born while both of my parents were attending the University during the Bryant era and my first home was on the campus of BAMA. So while I blog, I’m sure my “bias” will show. I make no apologies for that; I’m just admitting to the obvious. Now on the the game.
Alabama is almost a ten point underdog, even though they’re the number one team in the nation. When’s the last time you saw that happen? Since that’s the case, most believe that ‘Bama doesn’t stand a chance today. Certainly, it will buck the odds if they win, but win they can…here’s how.
1. Get ahead early. Just like they did against Clemson and Georgia, Alabama needs to get off to a good start today. They must run and Wilson’s short game in passing has to be “on.”
2. Aggressive defense. Cody has to be 100% healthy and effective on the rush defense. Pass defense has to be exceptional in man-to-man coverage. They must be able to get to Tebow on the pass rush, too.
3. Ball control. The Crimson Tide has to slow down the game and move methodically down the field. They won’t score as quickly, so they need to control the line of scrimmage and run, run, run. Coffee has to step up.
4. No turnovers. Discipline is huge. Bama has to keep the turnovers in their favor. Penalties have to be at a minimum.
5. Special teams. Alabama has to win this part of the game. Arenas and the kicking game have to step up and they can’t allow a long runback as in the Clemson or Georgia games.
6. The X-factor. I believer there will be a surprise element in the game today. I don’t know what it will be, from an unexpected play to a “wild tide” formation, but something unique will play a factor in this game.
All this to say, I don’t think Tebow can beat the Tide by himself…if the Florida rushing game is shut down, Bama will win. On the other hand, if Florida can make Wilson ineffective at leading the Tide, the Gators will probably come out on top.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Percy Harvin will NOT play today for Florida. This is a big advantage to Alabama, since he may be the biggest game-breaker on the Gator team…
FIRST QUARTER
Who gets the ball first? Bama won toss and will receive the ball. Starting on the 20 for the first series, Wilson hands off to Coffee for a three yard gain. On 2nd down Coffee runs again to the left for 2 yards. Third and 5: Wilson passes complete, but short of the first down, so Bama punts.
The punt is caught at the Florida thirty-five and runs it back to the 40. Good field position for the Gators. Tebow on 1st down runs up the middle for 3 with Demps. On 2nd down Tebow passed for a first down to Murphy. Florida is in a no huddle offense…on first down, they run the option right and its to Demps for a first down. Again no huddle at the Bama 31: Tebow ran for another first down to the 16 out of the option. He passed for 10 on the next play, down to the seven yard line. It’s a second down with inches to go. Tebow runs to the four for a first down. From the four, Tebow runs to the one. On second down, he is tackled for a loss at the three. Third down and goal: Tebow throws a touchdown pass to Moore. Gators lead 7-0 with 8:17 left in the first quarter. Not a good sign for Bama as Florida’s opening drive is virtually unstopped.
Florida kicks off to Alabama and Arenas returns it to 18 yard line. Wilson throws a strke to Julio Jones who runs it to the 18 yard line of Florida! Bama runs to Coffee on the right and he scores a touchdown! Two plays and the score is tied, 7-7. Surprise, surprise…Bama is not expected to score quickly (and they don’t want to get into a track meet…). How will this affect the strategy of both teams?
Alabama kicks off to the Gators with 7:40 left in the quarter and Florida returns it to the eleven. On first down the Gators runs the option for no gain to the left. 2nd down and 10: Tebow hands off to Rainey for one yard. With a big third down deep in their own territory, Tebow passes incomplete (way to go, Kareem Jackson).
Florida punts (flag on play, illegal motion) but Arenas runs its down to the 30 yard line. The five yards were added to the end of the run so they’ll start from the Florida 25. (The quick response of the Bama offense seems to have excited the defense, who shut down Florida on the second series, and at the same time, confused and frustrated the Gators.) Now Bama on 1st down with 5:43 left in the first quarter passes to his tight end Walker who runs inside the 15. First down! On the next play Ingram runs to the left for no gain. Wilson on 2nd down hands to Ingram going right but again for no gain. That brings up third and long, so Wilson passes out of bounds incomplete. So Leigh Tiffin comes out to kick a field goal of 30 yards. He kicks and it’s good! Bama leads 10-7. Special teams made this score a reality.
Bama kicks off and Florida runs it back to the 35 but it was called back on a penalty. Then they go three and out. (Computer problem…sorry for the lack of detail.)
Bama got the ball at their own 30 and got one first down. They handed it again to Coffee who ran for 5 up the middle. Wilson runs close to the fifty and close to the first down. The first quarter ends, with Bama having a third and short coming up. Florida trails for the first time since the Ole Miss loss.
SECOND QUARTER
On third down Bama runs (Wilson was 3-4 for 79 yards in the first quarter.) up the middle and gets the first down. On first down the Crimson Tide spread the offense and hand off up the middle to Coffee who runs for 13 yards up the middle, down to the 33 yard line. Another first down! Ingram runs for a one yard gain. On second down, Wilson passes to Ingram but he’s out of bounds. So it’s third and long…Bama doesn’t want a sack. A time out is called by Bama to keep from getting a penalty for delay of game. After the timeout, Wilson passes incomplete. Fourth and it would be a long field goal (50 yards)…Bama sets up for it, but it’s a fake, run for only three yards. The ball goes over on downs. We’ll have to see if this is a momentum changer; Bama has controlled the game since the big Julio Jones pass play.
Florida on 1st down from their 30 hands off to James for 3 yards to the right. On second down, Tebow, looking anxious, passes incomplete. Third and seven: the Gators (Tebow) run up the middle for a 12 yard gain. On first down, Tebow passes long and connects on a long pass to Cooper for 51 yards, down to the Bama 4 yard line. A motion penalty on first down backs Florida up to the 9. So from the nine, Tebow runs up the middle for two yards. 2nd and 8: Florida runs to the right for a loss of one. Third and goal now from the eight and Tebow runs to the three. So on fourth down, the field goal team comes out and kicks it through. The score is now tied, 10-10 with 8:59 left in the first half. Tebow has been the only offense Florida has had, running and/or passing.
Florida kicks off to the Crimson Tide, but Arenas stepped out of bounds as he caught it at the three yard line. Ingram runs to the right on first down for a three yard gain. On second down, Wilson hands off to Ingram who gets near the 10. Third down and three: Bama can’t hang on to the pass as their blitzed, so it’s fourth down and time to punt. Hanks should have had it! The kick is fair caught at the Florida 43 yard line. Joe Haden is injured for Florida on the play, but walked off the field under his own power.
First down Florida: James runs right and gets pulled down by a horse collar tackle by Rashad Johnson. That’s a penalty against Alabama. Florida is at the 38 on the option Tebow keeps it and gets no gain. On second down, Tebow runs and gets five more yards before McClain tackles him. Now it’s third and five, so Florida runs to the left, a quarterback draw by Tebow for five yards and a first down. On first down Tebow is blitzed and throws incomplete. Not a good call, according to the announcers. 2nd down and 10, he throws to Hernandez who catches it for 22 and gets to the five yard line. First and goal: Tebow throws left for a one yard gain. On second down, the Gators run left and gains nothing. Third and goal from the five: Tebow throws a touchdown pass to Nelson. Florida kicks the extra point and now leads, 17-10 with 2:59 to go in the half. This drive was set up by the special teams mistake of catching the kick off at the 3 yard line on Alabama’s previous possession. Two things seem obvious: If Florida has a short field, they will get points, and second, Bama must stop Tebow if they are to win (I know, I know, I said earlier he couldn’t beat us on his own…it looks like I was wrong.)
Bama gets the kickoff at the five and returns it to the 23 yard line. Wilson passes a screen and it goes to Coffee for seven yards. From the thirty, they hand off to Coffee, but he doesn’t get a first down. So it’s third down and Alabama, runs to secure the first down with 1:33 left in the half. On first down, the Tide passes incomplete to Jones. Second and 10: Wilson in the shotgun throws out of bounds again. So now it’s a third down and long. Bama is under center and passes short to Hanks and with 1:00 left in the half they will have to kick. Florida doesn’t take a time out, so Bama kicks with about 20 seconds left.
The Gators return it out of bounds to the 30 with fourteen seconds left. Tebow takes the kneel down and the half is over, with the Gators leading the Crimson Tide 17-10.
Bama stats: Wilson has only been 5-11 with 93 yards (most on the one pass to Jones in the first quarter.) Coffee has 2 yards and a touchdown in ten carries.
Florida stats: Tebow is 8-13 for two touchdowns and 110 yards. He also is the leading rusher for the Gators with 47 yards on 12 carries.
There have been no turnovers and very few penalties, but special teams have been important, as predicted, to this game so far. The keys in the second half will be whether Alabama can shut down Tebow and make Florida depend on everyone else and whether or not Wilson can pass effectively. Turnovers or a non-offensive score could be the difference before it’s all over.
Coach Saban says two errors in kicking game were the difference…big plays were a problem.
THIRD QUARTER
The Tide kicks off to the Gators to start the second half. Tiffin is back (poked in the eye earlier, but now back). The kick is run back to the thirty. On first down, the Gatorshand off and Demps gets six. On second down, Tebow is sacked for a loss! It’s third and seven and Florida has Tebow pass incomplete (he was under pressure). So the Gators have to kick.
Arenas receives the punt at the eight and is tackled immediately. Alabama up for their first possession in the second half. The Tide come out with Wilson under center. He passes on first down but it’s incomplete. On second and ten, the Tide run up the middle for a three yard gain. So now it’s third and seven. Wilson passes and Jones makes a big catch for an Alabama first down, a gain of 18. Twelve minutes left in the third quarter. At the thirty, Jones makes another catch for a seven yard gain. On second and three, Bama runs right for a ten yard gain. First down again at the Bama 46. Wilson passes to his tight end for a seven yard gain. Now they’re at the Florida 47, on second and two. Coffee gets a first down on a seven yard counter play. First down at the 40. Wilson passes to Jones and he catches it at the 24. Great catch! First down and Bama runs with Coffee to the twenty yard line. Second down and six for Bama; Wilson passes deep but incomplete in the endzone. Third and six…the Tide on their 11th play run with Coffee and gets the first down at the nineteen. Great effort by Coffee! On first and ten, Coffee is stopped for no gain as he runs right. Wilson is in the shotgun and Florida takes a timeout…this is a big play coming up and the momentum has shifted again, back to Bama.
After the timeout, on second and ten Ingram runs to the right and gains almost ten, down to the five. It’s third and short and Bama runs it up the middle with Ingram. First down and goal! The Tide is now at the three. Ingram scores up the middle…touchdown! 89 yards and 15 plays, I think…wow. What a great first drive in the second half. Coffee now has 92 yards rushing. The score is now 17-17 with 6:20 left in the third.
Florida gets the kickoff and returns it to the twenty-nine. On first and ten, Tebow throws to Murphy for a 34 yard gain. It was a blown play, but well improvised. Option right on first down gains seven. The Gators are at the 3o of Bama. Second and three: Tebow hands it to Demps up the middle for a first down at the 26. First down for Florida and Tebow calls a run left and the Gators gain one on the option. On second and ten the Gators throw long, incomplete. Third and long, so Tebow throws incomplete, behind the receiver. Fourth down and time for a field goal attempt: Phillips has not missed this year. He missed it!!! Score still tied, 17-17 with 3:48 left in the 3rd quarter.
Bama takes over at the 25. Jones has over 100 yards receiving and is obviously making a difference in this game when he gets the ball. On first and ten, Wiilson throws to Walker and he runs the reception past the 40. Wilson runs up the middle to the 48 yard line, taking a big hit on the tackle. Second and one: Coffee gets the first down at the 47 of Florida. First and ten Coffee runs to the right side down to the thirty-seven and he’s over 100 yards now for the day. First down again and Coffee runs up the middle for three. Wilson on second down at the 34 passes to Jones down to the 11 yard line. Now on first down the Tide passes it to the end zone, incomplete. Second and 10: Wilson gives to Coffee who only gains one. Third and long at the 10 yard line. Bama passes incomplete. So on fourth down the Tide try a field goal and Tiffin kicks it through from 27 yards out. Score: Alabama 20, Florida 17. with 0:08 left in the third quarter.
Alabama kicks off to Florida, who runs the ball back to the 38. End of the third quarter, with Alabama ahead 20-17. Wilson has been 11-21 for 179 yards; Coffee has 108 yards on 20 carries and Jones has caught five for 125 yards so far.
FOURTH QUARTER
Florida starts with first down in good field position at their own 38. Tebow brings them out in the shotgun…he hands off to Demps who runs right for more than five yards. On second down and two, Tebow hands it off again to Moody for a first down. First down and ten for Florida at the forty-eight, he hands it to Moody for six yards. On second and four, the Gators hand off again for a gain of only one. (Tebow not keeping the ball at all this drive.) Tebow has never won in the second half when behind, 0-5. Tebow runs the option and they are stopped short…but there is a facemask penalty on Hightowner and that gives Florida a 15 yard penalty and a first down inside the thrity. Tebow throws and Nelson gains more than 10, down to the fifteen. On another first down, Florida in the wildcat formation, Demps runs for five. Second down so Tebow spreads them out and runs himself and he gains nothing. A big third down play coming up, so Florida attempts a shovel pass for eight yards instead of the expected option. First down at the three yard line. Tebow runs it himself and it down at the half yard line. On second down, the Gators run the option with Demps scoring to the left. Touchdown Florida with 9:21 left in the game. Florida kicks the extra point and the Gators lead, 24-20. Tebow is now 11-19 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. On that drive the Gators ran 11 times.
Florida kicks off and Arenas runs it back to the forty. Wilson passes long and it goes out of bounds incomplete. Jones gets up slowly, but went to the sidelines under his own power. Wilson gives to Coffee for a three yard gain on second down. So it’s third down and seven to go: Bama decides to pass but under pressure goes down for a loss of ten. Fourth down from the 30 so the Tide punt.
The Gators catch it at the 30 and return it four yards. First and ten from the 34. The Gators run for four. On second down, the option gains five, leaving a third down and less than one. Third and short: Bama has to be aggressive. Everyone expects Tebow to run. He does. and gets a yard for a first down…all runs and time running out; now it’s down to 5:52 left. 1st and 10 so Florida passes long down the sideline for a long gain to the 20 of Alabama. One more score and the Gators will lock it up. Pass to the six yard line by Tebow. He’s now over 200 yards passing. First and goal he runs it to the one. On second and one Tebow runs the clock down to 4:00. Penalty again Florida for a delay of game, sideline interference. Second down now at the 6. Could this be big? Tebow hands it off and there is no gain. So this play is huge coming up: 3rd and 6 with 3:10 seconds left. Tebow passes for a touchdown to Cooper. After the extra point, the Gators lead 31-20 with only 2:50 to go.
Florida kicks off to Bama, who now needs two scores to stay in the game. Arenas is tackled at the 15 yard line after bringing it out of the end zone. On first down, Wilson is sacked again, but Florida was in the neutral zone so there’s a five yard penalty against the Gators. First and five now, and Bama has to keep on passing with a no huddle offense. A pass to Smelley is incomplete. Second down and five at the 24: Wilson throws to Hanks who gets to the 32 and a first down. The Tide now have under 2 mintues and under duress, Wilson tries to throw it away but can’t get it out of bounds. The pass is intercepted and run back to the fifteen. However, there’s a fifteen yard penalty on Florida and the Gators will be backed up with 1:39 to go. For all practical purposes, though, the game is over.
The Gators start to run out the clock now and Tebow runs for two yards. Second down with 1:35 left, and he hands it off to Moody who runs for a first down. The clock is running with 1:00 left. Tebow hands it off to Moody and he gains four. One more play and it should be over…Tebow takes a knee and the game is over. Florida wins, 31-20.
The biggest game of the year ends with a defeat for Bama, but what a great, solid game it was from start to end. The Gators certainly deserved to win, but the game made me SO PROUD to be a Crimson Tide fan. They have come so far, so fast…the future looks bright for Alabama. Roll Tide Roll!
And a note on Tim Tebow: what a great player, maybe the best, in all college football–ever. But no matter how great he is as a player, he is an even better person. Once again, he pointed people to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ throughout the game (Phil. 4:13 is actually written on his face) and when interviewed after it was over. Way to go, Tim…and even more, thank you Lord Jesus, for changing his life and all others like him–including me–who have come to experience the saving power of eternal life through You and You alone.
us have assimilated a philosophy of ministry based upon “The Purpose-Driven Church,” a book by Rick Warren written over a decade ago (1995, but espoused even earlier as a part of his “purpose-driven church” conferences). In that material Warren argues (and I paraphrase here) that the raison d’etre for the church is based upon the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, and that this is seen in five ways (he calls them “purposes,” pp. 103-107): worship, evangelism, discipleship, service and fellowship.
