The 2015 college football season is rapidly coming to a close. Today brings us conference championship games, which is the last major step before the playoff field is set, and the bowl season gets underway. The American Athletic Conference title game, along with Texas vs. Baylor were at 9 a.m. PT. We'll have a pair of threads for today's action. This first thread covers the SEC Championship Game. It includes useful information like game time, channel, and how to watch online. It also includes a look at notable prospects in the game. Later this afternoon we'll have a second thread for the Pac-12, Big 10 and ACC Championship games.
No. 18 Florida Gators vs. No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide
Time: 1:00 PM PST
Channel: CBS
Online Streaming: WatchESPN
The matchup is set at Atlanta's Georgia Dome, where the Eastern division Florida Gators will try and upset the Western division Alabama Crimson Tide in the 24th-annual Southeastern Conference Championship game. If Alabama wins, they will represent the SEC in the college football playoff. If Florida wins, the SEC might not be represented. The last time both of these teams faced each other in the SEC Championship was in 2009, when MVP Greg McElroy lead Alabama to defeat Florida in a 32-13 victory. Look for Alabama to become the first team to repeat as SEC champions since Tennessee accomplished the feat in 1997 and 1998.
Florida (10-2) will have their hands full against a determined Alabama (11-1). The good news for the Gators is they should have their explosive and versatile DE Jonathan Bullard, No. 90, back in action from injury, where he will be aiding fellow Florida defensive standouts ILB Antonio Morrison, No. 3, the tackling machine, and CB Vernon Hargreaves III, No. 1, the technically sound and one of college football's best pure cover corners in the nation. Florida's defensive will have to try and stop the Heisman leading candidate RB Derrick Henry, No. 2, from bulldozing through the Gators defense with his impressive power, speed, quickness, solid vision, and strength. Henry runs with tremendous power behind his pads, and with continued momentum, punishes tacklers with authority. The Gator's defensive will also have to keep an eye out for Alabama's TE O.J. Howard, No. 88, who is a mismatch in the middle of the field as a dangerous receiving weapon utilizing his impressive length and speed up the seam.
Florida's offense will be facing arguably the best front seven in all of college football, which will be a tall order for a struggling offensive line. Alabama's front is loaded with NFL caliber talent in two athletically powerful run stuffers in DT A'Shawn Robinson, No. 86, and DT Jarran Reed, No. 90, as well as the explosive and quick upfield disrupter DE Jonathan Allen. Moreover, the Crimson Tide's ILB Reggie Ragland, No. 19, is a superb downhill plugger and fierce tackler, and is one of the top pure inside linebackers in all of college football. Luckily for the Gators, it appears their stud field-stretching vertical threat WR Demarcus Robinson, No. 11, will be coming off suspension and be an asset Florida will desperately need.
Prediction: Although the Gator's defense will make some noise, the Crimson Tide will continue to roll. Expect a big game from RB Derrick Henry and Alabama's defense to have a field day against a lackluster Florida offensive line. Another thing of note, scouts for the 49ers are credentialed to attend this SEC match-up.