Date: 9/20/14
Time: 3:30PM ET
Channel: ABC
Spread: Alabama (-15)
Match-ups To Watch
Amari Cooper vs Vernon Hargreaves III
The best wide receiver and corner going one vs one for 60 minutes on prime time television. Cooper has been leading this new looked Alabama offense with 51% of yardage this season, mostly on Lane Kiffin feeding him on screen plays so he can make plays in the open field. Problem is, Hargreaves is not shy to make the tackle in open space against anyone. So if Alabama will want to attack the once in a generation caliber talent in Hargreaves they will need to take their chances down field. Cooper is not a strong high point catcher due to not going up strong, Hargreaves will win that matchup nine time out of ten thanks to his great hips, footwork, eye control, ball skills and athletic ability, a 41” vertical, squats 500 pounds, cleans 300 pounds, to bait quarterbacks into making bad throws.
Dante Fowler vs Cam Robinson
Usually when you play a true freshman tackle, you will see freshman mistakes. That has been the furthest thing from this 6'6” 300 pound behemoth. Robinson has looked like a future Top-10 pick already and he has only played four games. Fowler will be his first real test in his career. Fowler, who is rather freakish for his size, has lost a very good amount of bad weight this off-season being sober from any type of bad fast food. He has improved his hand usage and bending ability, right now he still struggles when a long armed or strong tackle gets his hands on him. How many times these two match up with each other given Florida likes to move Fowler around a lot will be seen. But when these two do, keep your eyes open.
Alabama's Defensive Backs vs Florida's Wide Receivers
For the past five years Florida hasn't had a legitimate threat that puts fear into other defenses, that was answered last Saturday by sophomore receiver Demarcus Robinson, who tied the school record with 15 catches with 216 yards and two touchdowns. With Eddie Jackson, who is Alabama's best corner likely on Robinson , redshirt senior receiver Quinton Dunbar should get most of the work load with Cyrus Jones, who has struggled mightily this year, covering the explosive, reliable playmaker. It won't be exactly what Robinson did versus Kentucky but it should be a enough to catch your attention.
Florida's Interior Offensive Line vs Alabama's Interior Defensive Line
Led by A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama IOL is very talented and young. With another budding star in Johnathan Allen, Max Garcia and the rotating guards of Tyler Moore, Trenton Brown and Trip Thruman will have their hands full. Mostly a run stopping type of group, Alabama needs to have one of the two of Allen and Robinson too step up and be a force in the passing game. Garcia has been named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for two weeks in a row now, so he will be reliable for keeping Driskel clean and creating holes for Matt Jones and Kelvin Taylor.
Implications
Both teams are clearly talented but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, Nick Saban is a better coach than Will Muschamp. If the big boy defense Florida showed versus South Carolina last year almost beating them while running Kelvin Taylor out of the wildcat for most of the game, it will be a different game. Alabama's RB's will put pressure on the linebackers of Florida to tackle in the open field so they don't let up big plays.
Final Prediction
Alabama Crimson Tide 31 – Florida Gators 24