“Tale Of The Tape”
Florida:
The Gators are averaging 24 points per game and are rushing for 141 yards per game on the ground along with passing for 211 yards per game through the air this season.
Quarterback Austin Appleby has completed 60% of his passes for 964 yards with 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Appleby shown the ability to hit the deep ball at times and does possess a strong arm that can attack the Crimson Tide secondary. However, the Gators will need consistency in the running back to take the pressure off of the offensive line and not make the offense predictable in critical situations.
Running back Jordan Scarlett leads the team with 778 rushing yards averaging 5.0 yards per carry with 6 touchdowns and will be counted on to move the chains against the number one rushing defense in FBS this coming weekend.
Wide receivers Antonio Callaway and Brandon Powell have combined for 77 receptions for 916 yards with 4 touchdowns. They must be able to take the top off of the Crimson Tide defense which will give the Gators offense balance and keep the Alabama defense guessing.
Since the Georgia game on October 29th, the Gators have been averaging 92 rushing yards per game against opposing defenses.
Defense:
The Gators are allowing 16 points per game and are very solid in run support giving up 133 rushing yards per game along with 158 passing yards per game to opposing offenses.
Florida is +4 in turnover margin and has recorded 28 sacks through the first 11 games this year. In four of the last six games, the defense has allowed over 200 yards rushing to opposing teams and faces a very physical offensive line in the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Florida is 3-3 on the road this year.
Alabama:
Alabama is averaging 39 points per game and has rushed for 245 yards per game along with passing for 233 yards per game through the air this season.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has completed 65% of his passes for 2,454 yards with 21 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Hurts is a mobile quarterback that has rushed for 840 yards with a team leading 12 rushing touchdowns in 2016.
However, over the last seven games since October 1st, Hurts has thrown 8 interceptions.
Running back Damien Harris leads the team with 897 rushing yards averaging 7.2 yards per carry with 2 touchdowns. Harris is a slashing runner that can wear down opposing defenses and has shown great vision in finding holes in opposing defenses.
Wide receivers Ardarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley have combined for 111 receptions for 1,494 yards with 15 touchdowns. Both players are excellent route runners and will go up against two of the best defensive backs in the SEC in Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson.
Defense:
Alabama is allowing 11 points per game and boasts the #1 ranked rushing defense in FBS giving up 68 yards per game. The Crimson Tide have held all but two of their twelve opponents to under 100 yards rushing this season. The only two teams to rush for more than 100 yards were Ole Miss (101) and Texas A&M (114).
Alabama is allowing 178 passing yards per game and has recorded 41 sacks through the first 12 games this years. The defense is holding opposing offenses to 28% third down conversions and is +2 in turnover margin entering this contest.
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