The History of Alabama vs Florida In The SEC Championship Game

Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Florida Gators logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

1993 – Florida 28, Alabama 13

Alabama finished second in the Western division in 1993 after tying Tennessee and losing to LSU and Auburn, but Auburn (11-0, 8-0 SEC) was unable to represent the division in the championship game due to NCAA probation.

The Tide entered the season as defending national champions and AP Preseason #2. Coach Gene Stallings’ team started off hot with 5 consecutive wins, extending their win streak to a school record 28. The streak was snapped with a tie against Tennessee in game six.

Alabama’s defense was again the headlining unit, holding opponents to 13.2 points per game.

Steve Spurrier’s Florida team was led by quarterback Terry Dean to a comfortable victory in the SEC Championship. Both Florida and Alabama disappointed in the 1993 season, and unfortunately the second SEC Championship game could not live up to the high standards for significance and quality of play set by the inaugural game.

Alabama went on to face North Carolina in the Gator Bowl, winning 24-10 over Mack Brown’s Tarheels (yes, that Mack Brown).

Fun fact about the 1993 season – Auburn recognizes their 1993 team as “champions,” even though they were forbidden from participating in any postseason play.

Less fun fact: Alabama retroactively forfeited 12 of its 13 games after it was revealed that captain Antonio Langham had signed with an agent following the Sugar Bowl the previous season. The Gator Bowl win was the only game not officially forfeited (because Langham did not play).

Next: 1994