Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/20
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Alabama Gameday: Complete guide to Crimson Tide’s SEC opener against the Florida Gators
"With three wins under the Crimson Tide’s belt, SEC play kicks off against Florida for Alabama’s first match-up against them since beating the Gators in Gainesville in 2011.The Gators hope to rebound off of a disappointing 2013 season and more immediately from a close call against Kentucky in the Swamp last Saturday night."
Here is everything you need to know if you are heading to Bryant-Denny Stadium for the game today. Perhaps the most important thing of all to remember is Beat Florida. Also be on the lookout for the odds, game notes and more from Bama Hammer today as well.
Crimson Tide not overlooking Gators
"Alabama is favored by 15 points, according to Bovada, in the Crimson Tide’s fourth game of the season on Saturday when it hosts the Florida Gators in Bryant-Denny Stadium. But let’s rewind to find out why the oddsmakers have little faith in Florida this weekend.Last season, the Gators finished with an underwhelming record of 4-8, winning only three conference games versus Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. Last week, Florida took the Kentucky Wildcats to triple overtime in the Swamp, narrowly avoiding an upset with a 36-30 victory.Fast forward to this week and it makes sense as to why the Crimson Tide is such a heavy favorite in a Southeastern Conference game.But Alabama coach Nick Saban isn’t paying attention to the points spread for the game. He thinks the Crimson Tide is in for its toughest fight of the season."
Respect every opponent you face and send them home with tears in their eyes. I’ve always looked forward to the games with Florida since all of those match-ups in the 90s.
Florida’s Jeff Driskel: We have a really good shot to beat Alabama
"It’s been three years since Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel last faced Alabama, and it might as well be 30 for everything that’s happened in between.That night Driskel was a wide-eyed true-freshman thrust into action against the eventual national champions when starter John Brantley went down late in the first half. Seventeen career starts, three offensive coordinators and a broken leg later, the former top-rated high-school quarterback reunites with the third-ranked Crimson Tide Saturday in Tuscaloosa. In that last meeting, a 38-10 Alabama victory, Driskel was an overwhelmed rookie. In 2014, he’s a seasoned vet. Still, he and the Gators’ offense have yet to prove they can excel against a high-caliber SEC foe."
Of course Florida has a chance to win. It’s SEC football. Any given Saturday. However, it won’t be an easy task inside Bryant-Denny. Florida media reported that Driskel looked timid against Kentucky. If he looked timid against Kentucky in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium… Oh boy.
Gators, Crimson Tide matchup has lost its bite: SEC Agenda
"Once upon a time there wasn’t a more anticipated matchup than Alabama vs. Florida.That anticipation has gone in cycles since the SEC split into divisions in 1992, placing the Crimson Tide in the West and the Gators in the East.The infrequent regular season meetings, because the schools rotated on and off each other’s schedules since they were not permanent non-division opponents, didn’t have the same intrigue."
I really don’t understand LSU media, fans and staff from their football team. They gripe that LSU has to face Florida every year but we don’t. Then the very year they are on the schedule, the match-up has lost its bite. It seems a fan base and group from Louisiana is still hurting from the past few games with the Tide, if you know what I mean.
Alabama Falls to No. 7 Florida, 2-1
"The Alabama soccer team fell to No. 7 Florida, 2-1, in a Friday night match at the Alabama Soccer Complex.“It’s a tough loss,” said Coach Todd Bramble. “We don’t subscribe to the idea of moral victories.”The Tide was outshot 20-7, but stalled the Gators from producing many breakaway chances. Alabama was outshot 9-1 in the first half, but narrowed the gap in the second half as Florida produced 11 shots to Alabama’s six."
That will get your day going and we will lead you up to kickoff this afternoon between Alabama and Florida. Roll Tide!
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