By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Before saying Alabama only won by two at Florida, appreciate the win over a top 15 opponent on the road with a young team.

Sometimes, even Alabama has to win a close game. Maybe even an ugly game.

It really speaks volumes about the Crimson Tide program that a September road win over the 11th-ranked team in the country comes with some relative criticism and concern. For any other team, winning in that environment would be a statement victory. Perhaps even a signature triumph. For Alabama, though, it’s just another step towards perfection. Simply put, those are the expectations for the Crimson Tide. And those expectations, for the 3-0 defending national champions, are still being met.

Alabama got off to a great start on Saturday in Gainesville, boasting a commanding 21-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. From there, Alabama’s youth and inexperience started to show. The homestanding Gators rallied back to within two points on a late touchdown run with just 3:10 remaining. Florida’s comeback was reminiscent of last season’s SEC title game, one where the Crimson Tide had to hold at the finish. That team still went on to win it all.

Even in the midst of a close game and an imperfect performance, there were still moments, beyond the start, where the Crimson Tide played with a championship conviction. When the Gators pulled to within a two-point try of tying the game, and with momentum all in Florida’s favor, Alabama’s defense responded perfectly to a read-option on the conversion and kept the Gators at arm’s length. On the corresponding drive, Alabama did what everybody in the stadium knew they had to do to win: run for a first down. When Brian Robinson converted a 3rd-and-2 with 1:29 to play, the Crimson Tide essentially closed out of the game.

Overall, Bryce Young threw three more touchdown passes, joining recent first round NFL Draft pick and single-season college football passer rating record holder Mac Jones as the only Alabama quarterbacks with ten touchdown throws through his first three starts. Robinson had a scoring rushing and receiving. Jalyn Armour-Davis had an interception. Will Anderson had two more tackles for loss. The Crimson Tide were 7-of-13 on third down attempts and did not turn the football over.

In the end, it all proved to be enough for a 17th consecutive win, a continuation of remarkable success that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Early season inconsistencies haven’t kept Alabama from making history. In 2017, the Crimson Tide edged Texas A&M 27-19 the first week of October. Alabama, in 2015, lost at Ole Miss 43-37 in week three. Midway through the fourth quarter of the 2009 season opener, the Crimson Tide led Virginia Tech by just three points late. It goes without saying that Alabama won the national title in each of those seasons. The Crimson Tide still remain the favorite to do so yet again.

As is the case with any team, there are areas where improvement must be made. Alabama was outgained by Florida by over 100 yards, was called for eleven penalties and did not dominate at the line of scrimmage as is usually the case. The Crimson Tide were also outscored 26-10 over the game’s final three quarters. Alabama will need to right those wrongs against Southern Miss next week before consecutive SEC games against nationally-ranked Ole Miss and at Texas A&M.

There remains a standard to meet in Tuscaloosa and that pursuit continues.

Before saying Alabama only won by two at Florida, appreciate the win over a top 15 opponent on the road with a young team. The Crimson Tide will keep working. They also keep winning as well.