SEC championship: Alabama-Florida looks like massive mismatch

Jalen Hurts Interview After SEC Championship

Alabama coach Nick Saban, left, and Florida coach Jim McElwain will go head-to-head today in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

By Paul Newberry

AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA Talk about a mismatch. Alabamas defense is the best in the nation. Floridas offense looks like one of the worst.

Theyll face off today in the Southeastern Conference championships game, with the top-ranked Crimson Tide (12-0, 8-0 SEC) heavily favored to lock up its third straight trip to the College Football Playoff with a victory over the No. 15 Gators (8-3, 6-2).

Alabama has not given up a defensive touchdown in 17 quarters, a span that covers its entire November schedule. The Tide leads the nation in three major categories, giving up the fewest points, rushing yards and total yards.

When we go out there Saturday, we just try to dominate, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen said. Just do your job and just dominate the opposing offense. Thats the legacy.

Florida will get a jarring reminder of its high-scoring legacy when former coach Steve Spurrier helps with the coin toss before the game.

These Gators are certainly a long way from the Fun n Gun days.

Over its last 10 quarters, Florida has scored just one offensive touchdown a 98-yard pass from Austin Appleby to Tyrie Cleveland that sparked an SEC East-clinching win over LSU. The Gators rank No. 114 nationally in total yards, ahead of only six other Power Five schools, and they havent shown much ability to move the ball either running or passing.

Now, this offensively challenged team must contend with the stingiest defense in the land.

Coach Jim McElwain joked that it might be best to skip the filmwork this week, just so his players wouldnt realize what theyre up against.

Then he turned serious.

The thing you point out is really how close you are from a consistency standpoint, McElwain said, doing his best to put a positive spin on such a dire predicament. We had our opportunities last couple games, yet the mindset of finishing is something we have to do.

Good luck with that against the Tide, which has given up 10 points or less in eight games.

Obviously with these guys that were playing, the thing that really stands out is how short the explosive play reel is when you look at it, McElwain said. They dont give a lot of big plays up. Youve got to go earn it.

Under coach Nick Saban, Alabama has certainly earned the right to be called one of college footballs greatest dynasties. Since the beginning of the 2008 season, the Tide is 110-12 with four national championships.

Saban has won five national titles during his career, leaving him one shy of the record held by Bear Bryant.

Of course, Saban is merely focused on the next one.

Cant really fall in love with what weve done in the past, he said.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGP8mLHPpi5gyNRm5uNdKWKijC8cw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=xmBEWKmqM9Ln3AGCpp_wAg&url=https://djournal.com/sports/sec-championship-alabama-florida-looks-like-massive-mismatch/

Continue Reading ..

SEC Championship draws big crowds

Tens of thousands of college football fans rolled into Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game Saturday at the Georgia Dome. The conference title matchup pits No. 1-ranked Alabama against No. 14-ranked Missouri. The 4 p.m. game is sold out with an expected attendance of 74,000 fans."Obviously this is one of the biggest annual events we host here at the Georgia Dome. All of the parking we have with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority is sold out online already. So if you don't have one in your hand already, the best advice is to walk from the hotel district or take MARTA," said Georgia Dome spokesman Jason Kirksy before the game.

The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau predicts the economic impact from the championship game will exceed $39 million. Channel 2's Tom Regan visited some of the souvenir merchandise vendors who set up tents near Centennial Olympic Park."I think we're going to do very good. We have received a lot of Missouri fans yesterday and today," said vendor Lynette Hutcherson Friday.One of those visitors said his group will take in other attractions besides the game. "We're going to do the VIP tour over at the CNN Center later today, and we're also going to be at the the World of Coca-Cola tour afterward," said Missouri fan Steve Gold.Atlanta police had additional officers on hand to control the crowds. The director of SEC ticket sales advised the public to be wary of counterfeit tickets.

"We've always had a good many counterfeits in the past years, so we just want to alert fans to be cautious," said SEC director of ticketing Jim Sullivan.Sullivan showed Regan the special embossed features on championship tickets that makes them difficult to duplicate."The white lettering on the ticket is raised. If you rub your finger over it, you can tell it's raised. And another way, of course, is the hologram in the foil. If you tilt the ticket, you're going to see SEC logos appear and disappear," said Sullivan.A ticket validation window was open at the Georgia Dome where fans can have tickets authenticated prior to the game.

Prepare for rain this weekend

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns says a cold front will move in Saturday. Rain poured down throughout the morning, but had mostly moved out of the metro area by 1 p.m. Saturday. Click here to watch the full forecast. Track conditions in your area with the Severe Weather Team 2 app.

Avoid congestion, take MARTA

Channel 2 Action News crews will also be keeping an eye out on congestion near downtown Atlanta. Download the WSB-TV traffic app to avoid the hot spots.

Source: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/sec-championship-bring-traffic-parking-issues/njMdB/

Continue Reading ..