The Crimson Tide got first-quarter touchdowns on an interception return of 44 yards by Minkah Fitpatrick and on a blocked punt return of 27 yards by Josh Jacobs, and set up an Adam Griffith field goal with an interception by Shaun Dion Hamilton – all on successive Florida possessions – and went on to crush the Gators 54-16 on Saturday to win their third SEC championship in a row in front of 74,632 at the Georgia Dome.
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The Crimson Tide – widely considered the team with the most National Football League talent – not only secured a CFP berth on Saturday with a 54-16 trouncing of Florida in the SEC Championship Game, it surely locked up the No. 1 seed as well, which it has held through each CFP rankings release this year. The Buckeyes, a nonconference champion, have wins against three Top 10 teams and went on the road to beat Oklahoma. If they win, they’ll take on either Clemson or Ohio State in the national championship game.
Alabama heads into the postseason with a chance to become the third wire-to-wire champion in the history of The Associated Press college football poll.
Alabama’s stingy defense will face perhaps its toughest test against Jake Browning and Washington.
The Crimson Tide will play the Washington Huskies in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
ABOUT FLORIDA (8-3, 6-2): The Gators rank fifth in scoring defense (14.6) and sixth in total defense (291.9) but will be without six starters, including standouts such as senior linebacker Jarrad Davis (ankle), junior linebacker Alex Anzalone (arm), junior defensive end Jordan Sherit (knee) and senior safety Marcus Maye (arm).
Evan, 6, and James, 4, waved their pom poms for nearly four quarters and during the trophy celebration as Alabama won its second consecutive SEC championship by beating Florida 54-16 before a capacity crowd.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Gators had not allowed an opponent to score 50 or more points since their 62-24 loss to Nebraska in the 1995 national championship game. “Maybe we don’t get in the playoffs”.
It will be interesting to see how motivated the Wolverines are for this game after taking such a disheartening loss to Ohio State in the final game of their regular season. He said Washington fans will likely not travel as readily to Atlanta.
The Washington Huskies are in the playoffs after defeating Colorado for the Pac-12 title. Washington won a share of the 1991 title under Saban’s mentor and college coach, the late Don James. “It was a little bit of a slow start, but I think it was excellent!” “I don’t think anyone would dispute that. It’ll be the biggest challenge, certainly, we’ve ever faced as football coaches and players”.
I get conflicted sometimes when it comes to the Husky football team. “We’ll prepare hard and fortunately the Seahawks are here in town”. Maybe we throw a stink bomb out there.
Up by seven and handed an opportunity to take a two-score lead on the undisputed top team in the country, could Florida capitalize?
Alabama did not have a Heisman Trophy finalist this season after having quarterback AJ McCarron (2013), receiver Amari Cooper (2014) and running back Derrick Henry (2015) receive recent invitations to New York City.
Clemson entered last year’s playoff bidding for 15-0, and had a chance to finish with that record – but lost the title game to the Crimson Tide.
The Atlantic Coast Conference has Clemson as one team the committee deems worthy. UF’s injury-depleted defense struggles against balanced offenses; Alabama’s offense has great balance and dynamic playmakers, including sensational freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts.
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Alabama sacked Florida quarterback Austin Appleby four times, forced three turnovers and scored a defensive touchdown. That didn’t sit well with game MVP Reuben Foster of Alabama.
