SEC Championship Preview: Florida Takes on Alabama in Atlanta
#18 Florida (10-2, 7-1 SEC) takes on #2 Alabama (11-1, 7-1 SEC) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
The Crimson Tide leads the overall series 23-14 and has won four in a row against the Gators, including a 42-21 win in the last meeting in 2014. This game also marks the eighth time these two teams have met for the SEC Championship.
With a win Saturday, Florida would claim the school’s ninth conference championship and the first since Urban Meyer lead the Gators to a league title in 2008. For the Crimson Tide, the game would mean its 29th conference title (25th in the SEC) and the third title in the last four seasons. A win over the Gators would all but ensure that Alabama advances to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.
The Tide enter the contest on a nine-game win streak, having not lost since an early season slip up to conference mate Ole Miss. Florida, on the other hand, comes into the game needing to regroup after losing to in-state rival Florida State 27-2 the last time the Gators took the field.
No teams have appeared in more SEC title games than Florida (11) and Alabama (10). The SEC West has won six straight in conference championship games The last Eastern division team to win the title? The 2008 Florida Gators.