Gator Country

Finally, after weeks of being the No. 1 team in the Bowl Championship Series rankings and hearing how good Florida is, Alabama gets a chance to use the slight as motivation and to see for itself in Saturday afternoon’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Gators, who are No. 4 in the BCS, hope a victory will give them a chance at a second national title in three seasons, but Oklahoma (No. 2) and Texas (No. 3) could wreck those dreams.

GAME 13: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE vs. FLORIDA GATORS

WHAT: 17th Southeastern Conference Championship Game.

WHO:Florida Gators (11-1, 7-1 SEC East) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0, 8-0 SEC West).

WHERE: Georgia Dome (71,500), Atlanta.

WHEN: Saturday at 4:07 p.m. ET.

WEATHER FORECAST: Plenty of sun. Highs in the low 50s. Chance of rain is 10 percent. But who cares? We’re playing in a dome where there is no wind and the temperature is around 72 degrees.

GATORCOUNTRY.COM: Pre- and post-game reports will be streamed on http://www.gatorcountry.com. Check the website for more information.

TV: CBS Sports (Verne Lundquist, play-by-play; Gary Danielson, color analyst; Tracy Wolfson, sideline reporter.

DELAYED TV: Sun Sports (David Steele, play-by-play; Nat Moore, color analyst; Steve Babik, sideline report) will air the game at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 on “Breakfast with the Gators” and again Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 11 p.m.

RADIO: Gator Radio Network (Mick Hubert, play-by-play; Lee McGriff, color; Steve Babik, sideline; Scot Brantley and Travis McGriff, pre-game). Pre-game show starts at 1 p.m.; post-game show concludes 90 minutes after game. WFXJ-AM 930 (Jacksonville) is flagship station. Affiliates are WWBF-AM 1130 (Bartow); WPHK-FM 102.3 (Blountstown); WWJB-AM 1450 (Brooksville); WBGC-AM 1240 (Chipley); WAFC-FM 99.5 (Clewiston); WXCV-FM 95.3 (Crystal River); WDCF-AM 1350 (Dade City); WMYR-AM 1410 (Fort Myers); WRUF-FM 103.7 (Gainesville); WRUF-AM 850 (Gainesville); WKWF-AM 1600 (Key West); WUCR-FM 107.9 (Lake Butler); WNFB-FM 94.3 (Lake City); WDSR-AM 1340 (Lake City); WONN-AM 1230 (Lakeland); WQHL-AM 1250 (Live Oak); WMEL-AM 1300 (Melbourne); WFTL-AM 850 (Miami); WCNZ-AM 1660 (Naples); WSBB-AM 1230 (New Smyrna Beach); WMOP-AM 900 (Ocala); WMOP-FM 100.1 (Ocala); WFLF-AM 540 (Orlando); WPLK-AM 800 (Palatka); WFLF-FM 94.5 (Panama City); WDIZ-AM 590 (Panama City); WTKE-FM 98.1 (Pensacola); WPSL-AM 1590 (Port St. Lucie); WLSS-AM 930 (Sarasota); WWTK-AM 730 (Sebring); WAOC-AM 1420 (St. Augustine); WSTU-AM 1450 (Stuart); WUTL-FM 106.1 (Tallahassee); WDAE-AM 620 (Tampa); WEFL-AM 760 (West Palm Beach); WZHR-AM 1400 (Zephyrhills).

Game also available on XM Satellite Radio channels 199 (national feed), 200 (Florida feed), 201 (Alabama feed).

Game also available through SEC Radio Network (Dave Neal, play-by-play; Dave Archer, color analyst; Dave Baker, sideline reporter). The Florida affiliates are WLFK-AM 1430 (Lakeland); WQTM-AM 740 (Maitland); WAXY-AM 790 (Miami); WOCA-AM 1370 (Ocala); WELE-AM 1380 (Ormond Beach); WTKE-FM 98.1 (Pace); WYOO-FM 101.1 (Panama City); WHBO-AM 1470 (Tampa).

Game also available around the nation on the Westwood One Radio Network (Kevin Kugler, play-by-play; Terry Bowden, color analyst).

COACHES: Florida, Urban Meyer, fourth season, 42-9 (overall, eighth season, 81-17). Alabama, Nick Saban, second season, 19-6 (overall, 13th season, 110-48-1).

SERIES: Overall, Alabama leads 20-13; Games in Gainesville, Alabama leads 7-2; Games in Birmingham, Florida leads 3-2; Games in Tuscaloosa, Alabama leads 6-5; Games in Jacksonville, Alabama leads 2-0; Games in Montgomery, Ala., Alabama leads 2-1; Games in Atlanta, Florida leads 2-1.(NOTE: Alabama claims a 29-0 victory over Florida in Tuscaloosa in 1904 but Florida did not officially begin football until 1906.)

Numbers in parentheses are the Florida/Alabama rankings prior to the game.

1916: Lost 0-16 in Jacksonville; 1921: Won 9-2 in Tuscaloosa; 1923: Won 16-6 in Birmingham; 1925: Lost 0-34 in Montgomery; 1926: Lost 0-49 in Montgomery; 1927: Won 13-6 in Montgomery; 1930: Lost 0-20 in Gainesville; 1931: Lost 0-41 in Birmingham; 1948: Lost 28-34 in Tuscaloosa; 1949: Lost 13-35 in Gainesville; 1950: Lost 13-41 in Jacksonville (NR/17); 1951: Won 30-21 in Tuscaloosa; 1963: Won 10-6 in Tuscaloosa (NR/3); 1964: Lost 14-17 in Tuscaloosa (9/3); 1970: Lost 15-46 in Tuscaloosa; 1971: Lost 0-38 in Gainesville (NR/8); 1972: Lost 7-24 in Tuscaloosa; 1973: Lost 14-35 in Gainesville (NR/3); 1978: Lost 12-23 in Tuscaloosa (NR/7); 1979: Lost 0-40 in Gainesville (NR/2); 1986: Lost 7-21 in Gainesville (13/4); 1987: Won 23-14 in Birmingham (NR/11); 1990: Won 17-13 in Tuscaloosa; 1991: Won 35-0 in Gainesville (6/16); 1992: Lost 21-28 in Birmingham (12/2); 1993: Won 28-13 in Birmingham (9/16); 1994: Won 24-23 in Atlanta (6/3); 1996: Won 45-30 in Atlanta (4/15); 1998: Won 16-10 in Tuscaloosa (8/NR); 1999: Lost 39-40 in Gainesville (3/21); 1999: Lost 7-34 in Atlanta (5/7); 2005: Lost 3-31 in Tuscaloosa (5/15); 2006: Won 28-13 in Gainesville (5/NR).

FLORIDA SEASON: Aug. 30, beat Hawaii 56-10 in Gainesville; Sept. 6, beat Miami (Fla.) 26-3 in Gainesville; Sept. 20, beat Tennessee 30-6 in Knoxville; Sept. 27, lost to Mississippi 30-31 in Gainesville; Oct. 4, beat Arkansas 38-7 in Fayetteville; Oct. 11, beat No. 4 Louisiana State 51-21 in Gainesville; Oct. 25, beat Kentucky 63-5 in Gainesville; Nov. 1, beat No. 8 Georgia 49-10 in Jacksonville; Nov. 8, beat Vanderbilt 42-14 in Nashville; Nov. 15, beat No. 24 South Carolina 56-6 in Gainesville; Nov. 22 beat The Citadel 70-19 in Gainesville; Nov. 29, beat Florida State 45-15 in Tallahassee.

ALABAMA SEASON: Aug. 30, beat No. 9 Clemson 34-10 in Georgia Dome (Atlanta); Sept. 6, beat Tulane 20-6 in Tuscaloosa; Sept. 13, beat Western Kentucky 41-7 in Tuscaloosa; Sept. 20, beat Arkansas 49-14 in Fayetteville; Sept. 27, beat No. 3 Georgia 41-30 in Athens; Oct. 4, beat Kentucky 17-14 in Tuscaloosa; Oct. 18, beat Mississippi 24-20 in Tuscaloosa; Oct. 25, beat Tennessee 29-9 in Knoxville; Nov. 1, beat Arkansas State 35-0 in Tuscaloosa; Nov. 8, beat No. 15 Louisiana State 27-21 in overtime in Baton Rouge; Nov. 15, beat Mississippi State 32-7 in Tuscaloosa; Nov. 29, beat Auburn 36-0 in Tuscaloosa.

SEC APPEARANCES: Florida (6-2): lost to Alabama 21-28 in 1992 at Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.; beat Alabama 28-13 in 1993 at Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.; beat Alabama 24-23 in 1994 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta.; beat Arkansas 34-3 in 1995 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta; beat Alabama 45-30 in 1996 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta; lost to Alabama 7-34 in 1999 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta; beat Auburn 28-6 in 2000 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta; beat Arkansas 38-28 in 2006 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta. Alabama (2-3): Beat Florida 28-21 in 1992 at Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.; lost to Florida 13-28 in 1993 at Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.; lost to Florida 23-24 in 1994 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta; lost to Florida 30-45 in 1996 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta; beat Florida 34-7 in 1999 at Georgia Dome, Atlanta.

POLLS: Florida: is No. 2 in the Associated Press media poll, No. 4 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, No. 2 in the Harris Interactive Poll, No. 2 in the Legends Football Coaches Association poll, No. 4 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings. Alabama is No. 1 in the Associated Press media poll, No. 1 in the USA Today coaches’ poll, No. 1 in the Harris Interactive Poll, No. 1 in the Legends Football Coaches Association poll, No. 1 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings.

POLL NOTES: With Alabama ranked No. 1 and Florida ranked No. 2 in this week’s Associated Press media poll, Saturday’s game will be the seventh time in the history of the poll that the No. 1 and No. 2 teams are from the same conference. In the previous six games, the No. 1 team has won four times. This is the first time that the top two teams of the SEC have played each other. The previous six: No. 2 Texas beat No. 1 Oklahoma 28-7 on Oct. 12, 1963; No. 1 Texas beat No. 2 Arkansas 15-14 on Dec. 6, 1969; No. 1 Nebraska beat No. 2 Oklahoma 35-31 on Nov. 25, 1971; No. 1 Iowa beat No. 2 Michigan 12-10 on Oct. 19, 1985; No. 2 Oklahoma beat No. 1 Nebraska 17-7 on Nov. 21, 1987; No. 1 Ohio State beat No. 2 Michigan 42-39 on Nov. 18, 2006. Overall, Saturday’s game will be the 39th matchup of Nos. 1 and 2 since the first AP poll in 1936, and No. 1 has won 24, lost 12 and tied one.

TEAM RANKINGS: NCAA rankings. Florida: Rushing offense, 10th (237.08 yards per game); passing offense, 61st (212.33 ypg); total offense, 17th (449.42 ypg); scoring offense, 3rd (46.33 points per game); rushing defense, 12th (102.75 ypg); passing defense, 17th (172.92 ypg); total defense, 7th (275.67 ypg); scoring defense, 4th (12.25 ppg); net punting, 12th (37.72 yards); punt returns, 7th (14.89 yards per return); kickoff returns, 58th (21.43 yards per return); turnover margin, 1st (1.75 per game); sacks, 23rd (2.58 per game); tackles for loss, 67th (5.50 per game); sacks allowed, T19th (1.25 per game). Alabama: Rushing offense, 22nd (201.50 ypg); passing offense, 97th (169.33 ypg); total offense, 53rd (370.83 ypg); scoring offense, T28th (32.08 points per game); rushing defense, 2nd (73.58 ypg); passing defense, 20th (174.92 ypg); total defense, 3rd (248.50 ypg); scoring defense, 3rd (11.50 points per game); net punting, 70th (34.62 yards); punt returns, 13th (13.22 yards per return); kickoff returns, 106th (19.07 yards per return); turnover margin, 21st (.75 per game); sacks, T57th (1.92 per game); tackles for loss, 40th (6.17 per game); sacks allowed, T21st (1.33 per game).

INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS: NCAA rankings. Florida: Passing efficiency, Tim Tebow, 5th (175.45); total offense, Tim Tebow, 39th (233.83 yards per game); receiving yards per game, Percy Harvin, T99th (54.09 yards); interceptions, Ahmad Black, T6th (.50 per game) and Brandon Spikes, T31st (.36 per game); punt returns, Brandon James, 11th (14.67 yards per return); kickoff returns, Brandon James, 52nd (23.58 ypr); field goals, Jonathan Phillips, T71st (.83 per game); scoring, Percy Harvin, T19th (8.73 per game) and Jonathan Phillips, 29th (8.42 per game); all-purpose runners, Percy Harvin, 87th (103.00 ypg) and Brandon James, 98th (99.00); sacks, Carlos Dunlap, T21st (.75 per game); tackles for loss, Carlos Dunlap, T74th (1.00 per game). Alabama: Rushing, Glen Coffee, 22nd (102.92 yards per game) and Mark Ingram, 92nd (56.75 ypg); passing efficiency, John Parker Wilson, 58th (125.77); total offense, John Parker Wilson, 88th (161.00 ypg); receiving yards per game, Julio Jones, T78th (60.25 ypg); interceptions, Rashad Johnson, T21st (.42 per game) and Justin Woodall, T41st (.33 per game); punting, P.J. Fitzgerald, 42nd (41.12 yards); punt returns, Javier Arenas, 12th (14.66 yards); field goals, Leigh Tiffin, T22nd (1.42 per game); scoring, Leigh Tiffin, 43rd (7.75 points per game); all-purpose runners, Glen Coffee, 74th (108.83 ypg); tackles for loss, Rolando McClain, T92nd (.92 per game).

GATOR CHOMPS: During its eight-game winning streak, Florida has outscored the opposition 414-97. … The Gators’ string of scoring 42 or more points in seven straight games is the longest current streak in the nation. … Florida leads the SEC in pass efficiency defense (93.66 rating), pass efficiency (173.06 rating), passes intercepted (23), fewest interceptions throw (3), rushing offense (237.08 yards a game), scoring offense (46.33 points a game), total offense (449.42 yards a game), turnovers produced (32), fewest turnovers (11) and turnover margin (+21). … The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, junior quarterback Tim Tebow, has completed 160 of 246 passes for 2,299 yards and 25 touchdowns with just two interceptions and a passing efficiency of 175.45 that is tops in the SEC and fifth in the nation. ... Tebow also has 12 rushing touchdowns (third in SEC) and 507 rushing yards (16th in the SEC).

CRIMSON TIDE-INGS: Alabama’s 13-game winning streak is the longest since the Crimson Tide won 28 straight games from 1991-93. … It’s the longest winning streak among Football Bowl Subdivision teams and is matched by Utah’s 13-victory string. … The Crimson Tide made a 6-game improved, going from 6-6 last season to 12-0 this season. … Alabama has trailed in just three games this season – against Mississippi, Louisiana State and Mississippi State – for a total of 23 minutes and 11 seconds.

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