The Nick Saban coaching tree continues to grow branches each season, so it is only a matter of time before he runs into one of his former assistants. Kirby Smart is reportedly set to be the next as the defensive coordinator has all-but signed on the dotted line to become the next head coach of the University of Georgia. Jim McElwain made the jump a few seasons ago and now he meets his former boss in the SEC Championship game as Alabama and Florida prepare to face off a with a lot on the line.
For Alabama, the SEC Championship is win or go home. The team currently sits at No.2 in the College Football Playoffs and a loss to the Gators means the Crimson Tide goes home with nothing in return. A win gets them the conference championship and a slot in Dallas for the first round of the playoffs. Despite having two losses on the season, the Gators matchup very well with Alabama as this game will be a test of two of the top defenses in the NCAA.
For the Gators, the task is beating Derrick Henry. The running back is a Heisman candidate for a reason has he put up 46 carries for 271 yards against the Auburn Tigers. The Tide handed the ball off 14 times at one point to simply let Henry do what he has been doing best all season. The running back now has four 200-plus yard games on the season as he officially broke the school's season-season record held by Trent Richardson. Henry the offensive x-factor and will be relied upon heavily as the Gators' secondary could pose a huge problem for Jake Coker and company.
Coker's game against the Tigers as quiet to say the least while the wide receiver's day was downright dismal. Eddie Royal and ArDarius Stewart struggled much of the day with dropped passes or miscommunications with the quarterback. That simply cannot happen against the Gators who has been strong at defending the pass all year. Coker cannot afford to make mistakes no matter how Henry is running.
For Florida, they must get their offense moving as the team's unit has struggled in recent weeks. Florida failed to find the endzone against Florida State as they managed just 262 yards of offense. Treon Harris struggled despite a good day from Kelvin Taylor. The Alabama defense could be an issue for the Gators while Florida's defensive line is equally as talented. It will be a battle of the line of scrimmage to win the SEC.
