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Florida will own the best defense on the field: Why it could be true
By John Hollis
Published:
The SEC’s two most dominant defenses will be on the field for Saturdays’ SEC Championship Game in Atlanta with each vying for supremacy.
And bragging rights.
It’s a virtual certainty that the offenses from both Alabama and Florida will have their hands full trying to move the ball against two stingy defenses that rank among the best in the country.
The Crimson Tide ranks second nationally and first in the conference in total defense (264.6 yards per game) and leads the SEC in sacks (41), scoring defense and rushing defense, surrendering a national-best 78.9 yards per game.
Georgia’s Nick Chubb is the only running back to rush for at least 100 yards against Alabama, and 83 came on a single run long after the outcome was decided.
Alabama has limited five opponents to 10 points or less and held eight to under 300 yards of total offense.
In the nine games since an ugly five-turnover night that resulted in its only loss, to Ole Miss, an opportunistic Crimson Tide defense has forced 18 turnovers (13 interceptions, five fumbles) while committing just nine.
But the Gators aren’t exactly pushovers themselves.
Despite last weekend’s 27-2 loss to rival Florida State, Florida remains the only FBS team to rank 10th or better nationally in rushing defense (seventh), pass defense (ninth), total defense (fifth), scoring defense (fifth), sacks per game (tied for fourth) and third-down conversion percentage defense (10th).
Florida has limited five opponents this season to fewer than 75 yards rushing, with three coming against SEC competition. The Gators have held two opponents under 25 yards rushing.
The SEC East champions are the only defense in the country to have held three FBS opponents without a touchdown in road or neutral-site games this season.
Alabama coach Nick Saban certainly sounded impressed during his Monday press conference.
“They’re a great defensive team,” he said. “They’ve got very talented players, really, really talented players, and they get after it.”
May the best defense win Saturday.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
