Bama basically dominated Florida in the SEC Championship Game.  Scoring on Defense, and special teams.  As the game wore on, you could tell Bama was dominating on both sides of the ball. 54 - 16 was the final score, but it honestly seemed it could have been worse.  Now with the SEC Championship behind them, Bama plays yet again in Atlanta, in the Peach Bowl who is hosting the Playoff Semi Finals. 

Where were you 91 years ago?  Well, you likely weren't here... but the Bama Vs Washington game then, has been given the label of the Football Game that changed the South.  Bama won that 1926 ROSE BOWL game by a score of 20 -19.  Bama was a heavy underdog - but pulled off the big upset.  Fast forward to New Years Eve 2016 Bama VS the Huskies and the roles are reversed.   What does that mean, well nothing really, but it is fun to look at the history of the series between these two teams.

Bama is the undisputed top ranked team in the country.  Washington comes in with one loss and ranked number 4.  Most think Bama will dominate the Huskies and Vegas has the Huskies as a 14 point underdog.  But don't for a minute think Washington is soft, or a team that isn't talented.  They are right up there with Bama in scoring, and defensive stats. 

1. New Mexico 360.9

14. Alabama 245.0

36. Washington 210.0

Passing offense

1. Texas Tech 463.0

31. Washington 267.1

68. Alabama 226.3

Total offense

1. Louisville 566.6

22. Washington 477.2

26. Alabama 471.3

Scoring offense

1. Louisville 45.3

4. Washington 44.5

13. Bama 40.5

1. Alabama 63.4

2. Wisconsin 96.9

17. Washington 123.5

Passing defense

1. Michigan 135.9

15. Alabama 184.5

22. Washington 192.6

Total defense

1. Alabama 247.8

2. Michigan 252.7

10. Washington 316.2

Scoring defense

1. Alabama 11.8

2. Michigan 12.5

8. Washington 17.0

Turnover margin

1. Washington +21

36. Alabama +5

Penalties

1. Navy 30

38. Alabama 66

55. Washington 70

 3rd down offense

1. Navy 55.7%

15. Alabama 47.5%

24. Washington 45.1%

3rd down defense

1. Michigan 20.9%

6. Alabama 29.5%

9. Washington 30.7%

Sacks by

1. Florida State 47

3. Alabama 45

13. Washington 37

 Red Zone Convers

1. Florida State 96.3%

4. Washington 94.7%

28. Alabama 88.7%

As you can see from the stats,  on paper this should be a close game - perhaps a defensive battle.  A couple of things that really jump out at me -   Turnover Ratio - Washington is a + 21   Bama +5.   When you think of all the scoring on D that Bama has done, it should be clear that Bama is prone to turn the ball over.  In this as most games, Bama can ill afford turnovers.      If Hurts has a big day and protects the game, it could be a Bama blow out, otherwise, Bama may be in for a tussle.

By the way, the last time Bama played Washington was in the Sun Bowl - 1986.  Bama ranked 13 won that game vs #12 Washington by a score of 28 - 6. 

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Roll Tide !!!

Bama Vs FLA SEC Championship

Before jumping headfirst into the SEC Championship game a few words about the Iron Bowl.  Though the score didn't necessarily reflect "THE GAME" Bama's defense dominated.  It bailed the Offense out of a couple of mistakes.  Jalen Hurts threw two interceptions and though Bama recovered, he and others put the ball on the ground too many times.  Bama didn't lose any of the fumbles, none the less with a bounce here and there, we would be looking at 5 or 6 turnovers.   I say that for a couple of reasons.  Despite of the fact that Bama had two turnovers that turned into field goals, this defense has kept opponents out of the end zone since OCTOBER.

Now on to a game that 25 years ago, Bama fans FEARED!  As Coach Stallings said, we have won all our games and still haven't won anything yet.   Ironically - those teams that faced off 25 years ago, are again in the now historical SEC Championship game.

Another parallel, this Bama D - is being compared and in some cases to that 1992 Stallings team.   Bama is undefeated - Florida with Jim McElwain is 8-3.  That parallel I mentioned stops at that point of the defense.   Florida has been riddled with injuries all year, including the quarterback position.  Those injuries along with the lack of offense resulted in the losses.  Keep in mind this is McElwains second visit to the SEC Championship game, a feat unprecedented for a "rookie" SEC coach.

 Bama still ranked #1 in the Nation is a 24 point favorite by the folks in Vegas.  YES 24!  Only once in the quarter century history has another team been a heavier favorite.

There really is not much to say here, other than Bama is playing for all the marbles, a loss could result in not being included in the final 4.  Florida is playing for much less stakes.  This alone is not pressure, but motivation.  A couple of the Bama players said in interviews after the Iron Bowl "This was just another game".  Reporters seemed to think that is a crime to call the Iron Bowl - JUST ANOTHER GAME - I think it is the mentality of this team, as they continue their march toward another National Championship.

I look for Bama to win, and almost cover the spread.

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ROLL TIDE