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Alabama v. Florida Football Predictions & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

No. 1 ranked and undefeated Alabama takes on No. 2 ranked Florida in the SEC title game Saturday. The game is one of the most anticipated matchups of the entire season and the winner will reserve a spot in the BCS Championship Game. The loser will get a Sugar Bowl appearance as a consolation prize. Odds makers feel it will be Florida moving on, listing the Gators as 9.5-point favorites with the total set at 51.

Alabama crushed rival Auburn 36-0 last week to move one step closer to finishing the season undefeated. In the game, Bama’s defense was dominant, only allowing Auburn past midfield four times. Auburn earned just two first downs in the second half and has nine drives of three plays or less in their 13 possessions. The closest the Tigers came to scoring was a 40-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter that was blocked. The Tide knows its defense will have to be even better this week against a Florida offense that has been a juggernaut all season.

The Bama offense continued its ball control attack last week, maintaining possession for over 35 minutes. Glen Coffee showed once against why he is one of the best backs in the nation by rushing for 144 yards. QB John Parker Wilson did not have to do much but was a steady 8 of 16 for 134 yards and a score. The win improved the Tide to 12-0 on the season and 8-0 in the SEC. If Florida wants to win this football game, it will have to be able to stop Alabama’s running attack. The Tide have been able to run to the left behind All-America tackle Andre Smith and guard Mike Johnson all season long. This game could come down to the right arm of John Parker Wilson if the Gators are able to shut down the run. He has just nine touchdown passes against five picks this season, which is not a good ratio. He hasn’t been asked to do all that much this season, but will he be up to the challenge if he is? If you think the Crimson Tide can hang with the Gators, bet Alabama at +9.5 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% sign up bonus.

While Florida’s offense has taken the SEC by storm, it faces its toughest task yet this Saturday against the top defense in the league. It also faces a team which has proven that it can run the ball just as effectively as Bama ranks second in the SEC in rushing behind Florida. One question that has to be asked is if Florida can win this game if wide receiver Percy Harvin is not able to go. He is about as explosive as they come in college football, having scored a touchdown in 16 straight games. He is listed as questionable with a badly sprained ankle. If he is unable to go, Florida will need to rely more on Louis Murphy, Deonte Thompson and speedy true freshman Jeff Demps.

Offensively the Gators have scored 42 of more points in seven straight games. They absolutely dominated in-state rival Florida State last week. In the 45-15 win over Florida State, the Gators scored on six of seven trips in the red zone, with five of the trips resulting in touchdowns. Florida ran the ball for 317 yards against the Seminoles, with three rushers (Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps and Tim Tebow) gaining 80 yards or more. While the offense gets plenty of attention, it has been the improvement of the defense that has the Gators knocking at the door of another SEC and national title.

And the there’s the Tim Tebow factor which is one factor that no one else in the country can claim. Tebow is playing himself back into Heisman Trophy contention with 37 combined touchdowns (25 passing, 12 rushing) and just two interceptions. In winning the Heisman last season, Tebow finished with a combined 55 touchdowns. If Tebow has a big day and Florida wins, the Gators will be heading to the BCS title game, bolstering Tebow’s chance of becoming just the second player in college football history to win back-to-back Heisman Trophy’s. If you like the defending Heisman Trophy winner to lead the Gators to a SEC title and cover the number in the process, bet Florida at -9.5 at BetUS.

Do you college football betting on Jimmy Boyd’s NCAA football picks this Saturday to crush the football odds yet again!

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