Florida's defense has no answers

Florida's defense has been its rock this season. But when push came to shove, the Gators crumbled.

UF gave up 490 yards of offense to Alabama in Saturday's 32-13 loss in the Southeastern Conference title game.

"We knew what we had to do, but they executed everything," Gators cornerback Joe Haden said. "Everything we saw we knew they were going to do, but we just couldn't stop them."

The Alabama offensive line manhandled the UF defensive front, and running back Mark Ingram put an exclamation point on his Heisman campaign by running for 115 yards and three touchdowns.

There was no let up when backup Trent Richardson carried the ball. Richardson carried 11 times for 80 yards, often dragging Gators defenders in the process.

"We never thought anybody would run the ball on us like that, but everybody has their day," Haden said.

Florida went into the game as the nation's leader in scoring defense and total defense but failed to make plays when needed.

The Gators, who played without suspended defensive end Carlos Dunlap, failed to get pressure on Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who threw for 239 yards and a touchdown.

"Dunlap has nothing to do with it," UF linebacker Ryan Stamper said. "If we played like we did today with him here, we still would have lost."

Dunlap's suspension was the most recent incident in a season full of drama on and off the field. From Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's preseason comments to Tim Tebow's concussion and Brandon Spikes' eye gouge, trouble has seemingly followed the Gators at every turn this year.

But Haden said it wasn't the distractions that caught up to them, just a better team.

"The pressure didn't get to us," Haden said. "The other team came out there and played. Those guys are good."

With their first loss, Florida will trade in a trip to Pasadena for a likely Sugar Bowl appearance on Jan. 1.

"Whoever we play in the bowl game, we're going to take this out on them," Haden said