Here’s everything you need to know before No. 3 Alabama kicks off at home against Florida in a marquee SEC showdown.

When: Saturday, Sept. 20
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Current Line: Alabama (-14.5)
Game buzz: Whenever Florida (2-0) and Alabama (3-0) get together, it’s always a marquee matchup. These two teams have a history of playing some big games and while today’s contest may not have the postseason implications it normally does, you can bet all eyes will be on Bryant-Denny Stadium at 3:30 p.m. Today’s game will be a good measuring stick for the Gators, who are looking to bounce back from a tumultuous 2013 season. Head coach Will Muschamp absolutely needs a good performance against the Crimson Tide to keep that hot seat from getting any warmer.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

FLORIDA GATORS

Players to watch:

  • QB Jeff Driskel
  • DE Dante Fowler
  • WR Quinton Dunbar
  • CB Vernon Hargreaves
  • RB Kelvin Taylor
  • RB Matt Jones
  • WR Demarcus Robinson
  • LB Michael Taylor
  • OL Rod Johnson
  • LB Neiron Ball
  • CB Brian Poole
  • TE Clay Burton
  • FS Keanu Neal

Keys for Florida:

  • Force turnovers: This is a key for any game, especially for an underdog team on the road. However, it’s especially important for the Gators, who have a plus-32 TO margin in their 26 wins under Will Muschamp. Shortening the field for their offense wouldn’t be such a bad thing, either. As explosive as the offense has been in the first two games, you wonder if Jeff Driskel could lead multiple scoring drives across the length of the field against this Alabama defense. He’ll need the help of some turnovers to score the points necessary to beat Alabama.
  • Driskel needs to run: So far this season, Jeff Driskel hasn’t presented much of a running threat to opposing defenses with just 24 yards on seven carries. The redshirt junior quarterback is clearly at his best when he’s able to make defenses pay with his legs, so the additional wrinkle to the UF offense would significantly help keep Alabama’s defense honest throughout the game.
  • Big plays downfield: Florida absolutely needs to take advantage of an Alabama secondary that’ll be slightly shorthanded this afternoon. Defensive backs Jarrick Williams and Eddie Jackson are both hobbled by injuries and safety Nick Perry will be suspended for the first-half. UF offensive coordinator Kurt Roper has shown a propensity to have Driskel throw it downfield and with the emergence of Demarcus Robinson, the Gators finally have a big-play threat they can rely on. The Gators will need some big plays offensively if they want to make some noise in Tuscaloosa.

Glaring weakness to watch: Secondary communication. Last week, the Gators secondary had a few busted coverages, thanks to communication breakdowns between the defensive backs. Muschamp said these problems are easily correctable, but they certainly can’t afford any repeat issues in the secondary today, especially with a receiver like Amari Cooper lining up for the Crimson Tide.

Most interesting part of the game: The matchup between CB Cyrus Jones and WR Demarcus Robinson. All eyes will be on the Hargreaves – Cooper matchup, but I think the Jones – Robinson pair will be just as intriguing. There’s no question that Driskel will be looking for Robinson throughout the game, so one could argue that Robinson’s importance to UF is just as big as Cooper’s importance to Alabama. Robinson has a few inches on Jones, too, so we’ll see if Florida tries to utilize that advantage for their sophomore receiver.

Team buzz: For a team looking to prove themselves, there’s arguably no better opportunity to do that than playing Alabama. The Crimson Tide remain at the top of the SEC year in and year out. If the Gators want to be taken seriously this season, a strong performance in Bryant-Denny Stadium this afternoon would go a long way in proving their contention for an SEC East title.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Players to watch:

  • QB Blake Sims
  • RB T.J. Yeldon
  • RB Derrick Henry
  • RB Kenyan Drake
  • WR Amari Cooper
  • WR Christion Jones
  • DE Ryan Anderson
  • LB Trey DePriest
  • S Landon Collins
  • CB Cyrus Jones

Keys for Alabama

  • Force Jeff Driskel into mistakes. This has not been the Crimson Tide’s forte this year, with only two forced turnovers, both on fumbles. The secondary hasn’t been making plays as of yet, but it also stems from the defensive line not hurrying quarterbacks into those bad throws. The pressure was good last week, with 10 quarterback hurries, and it’ll need to be that good again against Florida. They have a potent offense, and Driskel will find top target Demarcus Robinson if the Tide give him the time.
  • Ground and pound. The Tide might have a more dynamic offense than they usually do, thanks to the presence of Amari Cooper and the legs of Blake Sims, but the strength of this team is running the ball, with the most talented stable of running backs in the conference. Florida has been good against the pass and run, but they’re certainly vulnerable in both areas. If the Tide can get the running game opened up, it’s possible that someone other than Cooper will make an impact through the air as the Gators creep toward the line.
  • Don’t turn it over. This goes right along with getting Florida to give the rock up. Alabama’s turnover margin is negative through three games, something that has to be driving Nick Saban up a wall. Meanwhile, Florida is the best in the conference right now with a plus-7 turnover margin. Two of Alabama’s three turnovers are credited to Sims, and he’ll have to be careful with the ball against an athletic and aggressive Florida defense. On paper, Alabama should win this game, but if they start giving Florida extra possessions it could get dicey.

Glaring weakness to watch: Lack of a secondary receiver. Cooper has 33 catches through three games. The rest of the team has 35 catches total. If Gators CB Vernon Hargreaves, III does his job, someone is going to have to make plays in the passing game for the Tide. So far, no pass catcher has done that.

Most interesting part of this game: The turnover battle. If Alabama once again has a negative turnover margin, this game becomes a whole lot more difficult as the Crimson Tide have only forced just one turnover all season.

Team buzz: With his team averaging more than 500 yards per game, Nick Saban is far from satisfied. To truly establish themselves as favorites in the loaded SEC West, Alabama will need to come out and prove their worth against a dangerous Florida team.