Alabama Football: Looking back at memorable Tide vs. Gators games

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Alabama Football
Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Football vs. Florida Gators – Dec. 5, 1992 – Birmingham

Payback for the Crimson Tide was in the first-ever SEC Championship game. An electrifying pick-six by Antonio Langham broke a 21-21 tie and propelled the Crimson Tide into the National Championship game.

What followed in the series was four straight wins by the Florida Gators. Three of those wins over the Crimson Tide were in SEC Championship games in 1993, 1994 and 1996.

Crimson Tide vs. Gators – Oct. 2, 1999 – Gainesville

Florida had a 30-game winning streak in The Swamp and was ranked No. 3. Two weeks before the game, the Crimson Tide had lost to Louisiana Tech, for the second time in three seasons. The Gators were heavily favored over the No. 21 ranked Tide.

Shaun Alexander ran for four touchdowns and a missed extra point by the Gators was the difference in a Crimson Tide 40-39 overtime win.

Crimson Tide vs. Gators – Dec. 4, 1999 – Atlanta

A close first half yielded a 12-7 Crimson Tide advantage. The margin changed little in the third quarter as the Tide added another field goal to lead 15-7. The fourth quarter was all Crimson Tide, pushing the final score to 34.7.

Crimson Tide vs. Gators – Oct. 1, 2005 – Tuscaloosa

In 2005, the Crimson Tide was coming off a 4-9, 2003 season, followed by a 6-6 record in 2004. The Tide was undefeated and ranked No. 15 going into the Florida game. Fueled by Brodie Croyle throwing, Tyrone Prothro catching and Ken Darby running, the Tide torched Urban Meyers’ team 31-3. The Tide led 17-0 after just 10 minutes of play. Sadly, late in the game, Tyrone Prothro was tragically injured and never fully recovered.