By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Previewing the Southern Pigskin Game of the Week: Alabama at Florida.

Game: Alabama vs Florida

Overview — The first big SEC game of the season, Saturday awaits as a test for both programs. For Alabama, this will be road game number one in a year where the Crimson Tide will later have to go Texas A&M and Auburn. Though Alabama is the most talented team in the country, this remains a relatively inexperienced roster in some spots. The Swamp will present a challenge. Florida, as a program, showed it could compete with the Crimson Tide in last season’s SEC Championship Game, losing 52-46. New names will have to lead the Gators forward this weekend. Alabama awaits as the ultimate barometer for any team, Florida included. This is an immense challenge for Dan Mullen and the Gators, though one that also comes with an incredible opportunity.

Why to Watch — Though it’s obviously no surprise, Alabama looks the part of a championship favorite already. Quarterback Bryce Young, completing 71% of his passes with seven touchdowns through two games, has emerged as the early Heisman Trophy frontrunner. The Crimson Tide have won 16 games in a row and have been played within one score just once in that span, by Florida this past year. The Gators enter Saturday leading the nation in rushing with 381.5 yards per game ranked third in total offense at 609.5. Quarterback Anthony Richardson is averaging 17.5 yards per pass attempt, 32 yards per completion and 25 yards per rush and, even as a reserve, has been one of the most exciting players in the game. The national spotlight will be on Gainesville.

Keys for Alabama
1. Spread the Football Around — Quarterback Bryce Young has been absolutely exceptional so far, boasting a passer rating of 180.1. One big key to his success has been balanced distrubution, which has put unrelenting pressure on opposing defenses. Through just two games, nine different pass-catchers have at least three receptions. While John Metchie and Ohio State-transfer Jameson Williams are clearly the big playmakers, Young’s full-field passing keeps defenses off balance and results in more favorable one-on-one coverages throughout games. He threw touchdown passes to Metchie and Williams in the week one victory over Miami, but also found tight end Cameron Latu for two scores. Running back Jase McClellan caught a touchdown pass in the win over Mercer. Florida has a talented and experienced defense, one featuring an All-American cornerback in Kaiir Elam. Varied production, whether in the passing game or the running game, would allow Young, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and Alabama to dictate the tempo of the contest, forcing the Gators into a series of adjustments and responses. Expect Young to be the catalyst.

2. Don’t Give Up the Big Play — Alabama is tied for 7th nationally, having allowed just one play of 30 yards or more; Florida is tied for 7th nationally, having converted nine plays of 30 yards or more. Something has to give. Even with some unfortunate injuries, this looks like a vintage Crimson Tide defense. The key, Saturday, will be not allowing the Gators to gain momentum, not to mention huge chunks of yards, via the big play. Look for considerable attention in the secondary to be paid to Florida receiver Jacob Copeland, who currently ranks third nationaly with 31.7 yards per catch. Alabama cannot allow him to get past defenders in the secondary. The play of Malachi Moore will be critical. The Crimson Tide will also have to be well-aware of quarterback Anthony Richardson. How often will be used as a compliment to starter Emory Jones is not yet known. That said, Richardson has scored five total touchdowns in his last 23 plays. So far this season, he has touchdown passes of 75 and 41 yards and scoring runs of 80 and 73. Last year’s SEC Championship Game featured plenty of big plays and the result was a close game late. Alabama has to limit those conversions.

3. First Quarter Statement — The longer a home underdog remains competitive in a big game, the more confidence develops. And The Swamp is the type of environment where the emotion and energy can make a real difference. What Alabama doesn’t want is to be in a close or back-and-forth game late. A strong start right away could lessen the impact of Florida’s homefield advantage. Furthermore, an early lead, especially of the multi-score variety, would put immense pressure on the Gators to change their gameplan in an attempt to counter. Defensively, the Crimson Tide could pin their ears back and rush the passer. In last season’s big road games, Alabama jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter advantage at LSU and ultimately won 55-17; conversely, the Crimson Tide were tied 7-7 at Ole Miss at the end of the first period and had to win 63-48. In a neutral site game against top 15 Miami two weeks ago, Alabama led 10-0 at the end of the opening quarter and then 27-0 at halftime. What type of game is played Saturday could very well be determined very early on.

Keys for Florida
1. Hit Home Runs — The last three teams to beat Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Clemson, scored 48, 46 and 44 points, respectively. Florida has to have highlight-reel plays. Whether Emory Jonoes or Anthony Richardson is at quarterback, getting the football to Jacop Copeland, who has six catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns already, has to be a major priority. Going back to last season, Copeland has now scored in four of his five past games. Copeland excels downfield and has been one of college football’s top big play receivers this season. Richardson is the player to watch. Expect him to get more snaps and opportunities this weekend. He is one of 24 players nationally with a completion of at least 70 yards and one of just four players with multiple runs of 70 yards or more; Richardson has done all of that on only eleven passes and eleven rushes to date. We haven’t seen Florida’s tight ends get involved in the passing game yet, though with attention drawn to the perimeter and the backfield, there could be chances for long conversions in the middle of the field. Don’t expect many, if any, teams to consistently move the football against the Crimson Tide. However it happens, the Gators will need big gains against of the nation’s premier defenses.

2. Different Looks Defensively — Alabama’s Bryce Young has been near-perfect in his two starts and has often been at his best when facing pressure. Per Pro Football Focus, Young has a 132.4 NFL passer rating in such situations, which is the third-highest total of any quarterback in the country with at least 20 attempts. Florida will obviously have to disrupt Young’s timing and Zachary Carter, who had three sacks in week one’s win over Florida Atlantic, is one of the game’s best defensive ends. Given Young’s successes, however, traditional blitz packages may have to be used situationally. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will need to try a variety of different schemes and formations as Young makes his first-ever road start for an offense still gaining experience and the Gators can certainly be multiple. Florida has numerous defenders who can be effective in different roles. Against Young, the numbers suggest it might be better to drop extra defenders into coverage in certain circumstances. The Gators will need to try everything against a quarterback as good as Young and must be unpredictable to keep he and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien guessing.

3. Focus on the Fundamentals — It may not always be a leading storyline, but championship teams like Alabama always take care of the little things. Beating the Crimson Tide sometimes comes down to getting back to the basics. Factors that don’t always show up in the box score, such as open-field tackling, blitz pick-up, correct defensive assignments and communication and efficiency are absolute musts when trying to beat a top team. Alabama can turn one mistake into touchdown and can turn multiple mistakes into a blow out. Additionally, the Crimson Tide will likely avoid such missteps, a big key to their consistent success. It goes without saying that Florida will have to take care of the football, avoid critical penalties and be effective on special teams. A great game starts with good fundamentals. The Gators will also need to make the most of their opportunities.

Players to Watch
Alabama: Bryce Young, QB — Young, debuting with a spectacular performance against Miami in Atlanta, has arguably been college football’s best quarterback. He has continued right where his predecessors left off, making history. With a poise beyond his years, Young has the ability to lead the Crimson Tide on the biggest of stages. His play will set the tone for Alabama. Saturday in The Swamp will Young’s first true road start.

Florida: Anthony Richardson, QB — While Emory Jones will likely start the game for the Gators, expect to see a lot of Richardson. He had 152 yards and two tocuhdowns on just 3-of-3 passing and 115 yards and rushing a score on just four attempts last Saturday against South Florida. This will likely be quite the spotlight for Richardson, who brings great big-play potential to the field. He will need to convert some of those against Alabama’s heralded defense.

In Summary
This Game Will Come Down to… whether or not Florida can make enough big plays to keep pace with Alabama and if the Gators can maintain enough momentum to force a close contest entering the fourth quarter.

Prediction
Alabama — 34, Florida — 23