One team has its sights set on a national title. The other is simply happy to be headed to Atlanta.
When Alabama meets Florida for the SEC Championship on Saturday, the schools will have divergent plot lines. The No. 2 Crimson Tide are 17 1/2-point favorites over the No. 18 Gators after winning nine straight.
This business as usual for Nick Saban. The Tide are on the brink of a second straight College Football Playoff appearance and need just to knock off the Gators, whose “little brother” status is reinforced by the men on the sidelines.
First-year Florida coach Jim McElwain served as offensive coordinator on Saban’s Alabama staff from 2008-2011.
“He’s the best ball coach in our era,” McElwain said during a Sunday night teleconference. “When he first called, I actually might’ve hung up, thinking it was one of my buddies busting my chops, not knowing he had a job opening. I was just really excited he called back.”
The Tide were picked No. 1 in the SEC West this summer, while McElwain’s Gators were the fifth choice in the East.
“I think a couple people probably had us sixth,” McElwain said with a chuckle. “For us to be where we’re at, that’s pretty cool.”
The only “cool” thing in Tuscaloosa would be a 16th national championship. A loss to Florida on Saturday would be, unequivocally, a failure.
History is on the Tide’s side. Alabama is 24-14 all-time against Florida and has won four in a row, including the 2009 SEC Championship game.
The 10-2 Gators feature running back Kelvin Taylor, but Florida’s offense has not surpassed the 30-point mark in the six games since star freshman quarterback Will Grier was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance.
Alabama has been gaining momentum at the same time. The Crimson Tide have not lost since failing to Ole Miss 43-37 on Sept. 19. Since then, they have outscored opponents 305-102 during their nine-game streak.
“Our guys have had their backs against the wall ever since the Ole Miss game and they’ve responded every time” Saban said. “I really love this team.”
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