The History of Alabama vs Florida In The SEC Championship Game

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

1999 – Alabama 34, Florida 7

After a baffling home loss to Louisiana Tech in September, Alabama managed a 9-2 (7-1 SEC) regular season and an SEC West division title.

Florida and Alabama met in the regular season in a game that was an instant classic. Steve Spurrier’s #3 Gators were on a 31-game home winning streak and were expected to easily defeat the #21 Crimson Tide. Instead, Alabama won an overtime thriller 40-39 on the back of a four touchdown performance from Shaun Alexander.

Two weeks after the upset in the Swamp, Alabama lost to Tennessee, but the Tide’s first win over Auburn on the plains secured Bama’s division title and rematch with Florida.

The rematch was as lopsided as the regular season meeting was thrilling. Florida scored on a four play opening drive and would be held scoreless for the rest of the game. Alabama’s offense was slow to get going, settling for two field goals before finally managing a touchdown in the final minute of the second quarter when Andrew Zow threw a 27 yard touchdown pass. Alabama continued to roll, including a 4th quarter pick-6 of Florida quarterback Jesse Palmer.

Alabama advanced to the Orange Bowl where they would lose in overtime to Michigan on a missed extra point. College kickers, y’all.

I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure that 1999 Alabama is the only team that’s ever gone to overtime against a future star of The Bachelor and Tom Brady.

Next: 2008