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KEY STATS

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2008

AT STAKE

It's the SEC championship, with today's winner expected to earn an invitation to the BCS National Championship game. The winning team's coach also gets a Gatorade bath.

Florida's plus-21 turnover margin is a school record and ranks first nationally. ... The Gators have lost the football 11 times, the third-lowest total in the nation. ... Alabama's defense has forced 24 turnovers this season, and 17 of those turnovers have resulted in points. ... The Tide's offense has suffered 14 turnovers, and only five have directly led to points.

KEY MATCHUPS

Florida's spread offense is a big-play, yardage-gobbling unit that scores 46.3 points per game, third-highest in the nation. Alabama's defense is an unyielding wall, particularly against the run, giving up an average of 11.5 points, third-best in the nation. One side isn't going to get its way.
INJURY REPORT
ALABAMA - RB Roy Upchurch (neck) questionable.

FLORIDA - Wide receiver Percy Harvin (ankle) questionable. DT Matt Patchan (sprained knee), NG Brandon Antwine (knee) out.

PREDICTION

Florida 31,

Alabama 20

KEEP AN EYE ON

ALABAMA - Bear Bryant, who is expected to attend ... just kidding. But the Crimson Tide features an offensive line the coaching legend would have loved. Junior tackle Andre Smith (6-4, 340) and center Antoine Caldwell (6-3, 305) can help sustain a ball-control, clock-eating running game that that would keep Florida's offense off the field.

FLORIDA - If, as the old saying goes, you dance with the one who brung ya, quarterback Tim Tebow better wear comfortable shoes. Nobody in college football has performed better as a game manager than Tebow in recent weeks. The Gators will lean heavily on Tebow, because he can not only run and pass, he wins.

PREDICTION

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