The Fight for First in College Football
Payton Shiver
October 22, 2009
Filed under Fall Sports, Sports
Florida or Alabama? Both undefeated teams, and both most commonly associated with the SEC Championship Title, as well as the top BCS standings. But just who will finish first? The veterans are predicting a rematch of the 2008 SEC Championship game, with both teams making a return trip between the hedges to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The end of the college football season is turning out to be just as interesting and unpredictable as the first half.
The Florida Gators lead the BCS with 6-0 record and a .989 BCS average. 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow fully recovered from his nasty concussion at the Kentucky game, and was medically cleared to play at the Louisiana State game. The senior quarterback played well, leading to another big win for the Gators. This past weekend was nothing short of a nail biter, as the Gators took on Arkansas in what was projected to be an easy win. Uncharacteristically, Florida struggled to hold on to the ball all day long. Gator offense left Tebow uncovered, allowing for six sacks. Defensively, Florida gave up some big plays downfield.
Tebow says he honestly thinks they won the game “because of heart. We were not going to let each other down.” The 23-20 win over Arkansas put the Gators down on the AP rankings, moving Alabama up to first, and Texas remaining third.
“I’m not happy where we are at right now,” Coach Urban Meyer said.
However, no complaints were issued from the Gators as BCS standings were released Sunday afternoon. Florida was right where they wanted to be: still number one. Florida takes on Mississippi State this weekend.
The Crimson Tide has been slowly on the rise under head coach, Nick Saban. But will he be enough to put Alabama back where they once were under Bear Bryant‘s famous coaching?
Saban said a few days before the Carolina game, “[It’s] The passion to want to do it, the passion to stay with it, the passion to continue to go through the grind, and there are numerous teams every week that have a difficult time with that and don’t play well.”
The number four defense of the mighty elephants played a little less than spectacular. For a hardcore fan, close to unbearable. However, Alabama took on the number five defense of the Carolina Gamecocks this past weekend and pulled out a 20-6 victory. It was a messy, uncommon game full of turnovers, sacks, personal fouls, and interceptions. Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia was no one to be impressed with, and Tide quarterback Greg McElroy’s performance was acutely under par. Saturday night made it clear that quarterbacks are not always your MVPs. In the final minute of the game, Alabama made their last reassuring touchdown, run in by Mark Ingram, a Hesiman nominee. This victory made all the games Alabama has played so far double-digit wins.
Spurrier seems to be on fire about his SEC loss. He has made allegations against Alabama, claiming the Crimson Tide holder put a small piece of white tape on the ground to spot PATs and field goals, then quickly put the tape back in his pocket after the kick. SEC officials have said to be looking into the claim, and Alabama coaches have been reminded of the rules on placekicks as well.
The messy Florida win was enough to vault Saban over the Gators in the AP standings with 1,447 points, and Florida with a close 1,434. Florida still clings to their number one BCS rank. Alabama faces off with the Tennessee Volunteers this upcoming Saturday.
