SEC Championship Live Blog!

Monday, 12:00PM—Well, Tide fans, I’m sure by now you’ve reached stage two or three of the five stages of grief, asking yourself all the ‘what if’ questions, like “what if Dont’a Hightower hadn’t been called for a facemask on that 4th quarter 3rd down play?“ and “what if Javier Arenas had just let the ball go out of bounds in the first half?“

We’ll never know the answers to those questions.

Here’s what we do know:  Alabama played with incredible heart.  The played nearly mistake free football.  They held the vaunted Florida offense in check.  They handled the loss with complete dignity and class.

One of the toughest things to do in covering sports is to walk up to a player after a loss and ask him tough questions.  It was especially tough Saturday because it was the team’s first loss of the season, on the biggest stage of the season.  The Alabama locker room was open for the first time in years.  Journalists were wandering around the players’ inner-sanctum, invading their space and their privacy moments after a tough defeat.

The were upset and downtrodden.  But they were accountable and respectful while every last question was asked.

In time, they’ll realize what a special season they’ve had, when no one, not even themselves, expected it.  They’ll come to appreciate what a sweet bowl game they’re going to, while teams like Auburn and Tennessee sit at home for the holidays.

In time, “what if” won’t pop into their heads quite as much.

It’s been a hell of a run.  I hope they had as much fun doing it, as I’ve had covering it.

Here are some more photos from Atlanta this weekend. 

ESPN Gameday Cew

Media Work Center

Some of my adoring fans at the SEC Fan Fair

Behind the scenes of our 6PM Friday broadcast

Photographer Ben Traylor prepares to shoot like a champion today

REALLY hardcore Tide fan

Julio Jones warms up

John Parker Wilson getting in a few tosses

Both bands perform National Anthem

JPW surveys the field

Alabama fans prepare for the 4th Quarter

Florida about to seal the win

Ballgame

Mt. Cody

Florida Celebrates

John Parker Wilson

Ben Traylor doing his job

Tebow talks about the win

Don Hawes and Wes Harrell prepare for the 10PM show

“I think it was a real solid newscast.  We made a couple of mistakes in the toss, but overall it was a good effort.‘

Thanks again for reading!  I enjoyed bringing the game to you.
—Chris

5:53—#2 Demps takes in in from 2 yards.  Florida up 24-20 with 9:21 to go in the game.  Key play, a facemask penalty by Dont’a Hightower which gave Florida a 18 yard gain and kept the drive going.  Alabama hasn’t made many mistakes today, but when they did, they’ve paid.  Can Alabama answer?  We’re heading to the field.  Enjoy this finish.  It should be exciting.

5:40—Alabama takes the lead 20-17 on a 27 yard Leigh Tiffin field goal.  The Alabama drive took 3:40.  The offense looks good.  JPW’s lone mistake, forcing the ball into the endzone which was nearly picked off. 

5:30—Jonathan Phillips misses a 42 yard field goal.  We’re still tied, and the Crimson Tide faithful here in the Alabama endzone are gaining confidence and strength.  We’re tied and Alabama’s getting the ball on their own 25 with 3:48 left in the 3rd.

5:22—Friends, whether you root for the Crimson Tide or not, that drive was beautiful football.  15 plays, 91 yards, a nice mix of runs and passes.  This is what Alabama needs to do win.  Mark Ingram plunges in from 2 yards out.  We’re tied 17-17 with 6:20 left in the third.  #1 refuses to be knocked out.  6:53 off the clock… 9 runs, 6 passes.

15 plays,

5:13—Here comes the Alabama offense, keyed by a huge man catch by Julio Jones.  Alabama coaches are finally getting Jones involved and Alabama is moving the ball.  Glen Coffee is also having great success running the ball on this drive.

5:08—Before the second half began, Don Hawes and I were discussing how important it would be for Alabama to get a stop on the first series.  They did.  Alabama takes over at its 9 with 13:13 left in the 3rd.  17-10 FL. 

5:02—Quick First Half stats:  JPW 5-11, 92 yards with a long of 64.  Tebow 8-13, 110 with a long of 51.
Alabama 17 rushes for 74 yards.  Florida 19 rushes for 69 yards.  Alabama 2-7 on third down.  Florida 4-7.  First downs:  UA-7, FL-9.  Julio Jones has 1 catch for 64 yards.

4:53—First half analysis:  Alabama is fortunate to still be in this game, but they ARE still in it.  That could change in a hurry as Florida gets the ball to start the second half.  Alabama’s defense has played fairly well in keeping Florida to just 17 first-half points.  The offense, after moving the ball in the first quarter, is in a funk.  John Parker Wilson has missed on 6 of his last 7 passes.  The two key plays to me that might decide this game:  Javier Arenas’ mistake in fielding a kickoff at his own 4 yard line instead of taking the ball at the 40 after it went out of bounds, and the decision to fake a 49-yard field goal with Bama’s backup kicker.  Both of those led to poor field position and could be the types of mistakes that could decide this game.

Good news, though, Bama fans:  Leigh Tiffin is back on the field and just hit a practice 50 yard field goal, so it looks like he’s good to go after getting clocked on a kickoff in the first half.

4:38—Whew.  That was intense.  This is the first close game Florida’s been in in a while.  17-10, Florida at halftime after Bama punts. 

4:30 Coffee is back in the game.  Looks like he was just being rested on the last drive.

4:28 I’m reminded of the country song that says “sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.“  That’s the case here as Florida benefits from a non-call on a play where Tim Tebow appeared to ground the football.  The play went as an incomplete pass.  Tebow then connected for 22 yards with his tight end.  A play on which Rashad Johnson was NOT happy with Kareem Jackson.  After a couple stuffs inside the five, Tebow connects with David Nelson for a 4 yd touchdown strike.  17-10 Florida with 2:59 left in the second.  Alabama takes over at its 23 yard line.  Can they answer???

4:16—A real poor decision on the Florida kickoff pins Alabama deep in its own territory.  Javier Arenas caught the kickoff on the 4 yard line.  If he had let the ball go out of bounds, or even had HIS FOOT out of bounds when he caught it, Alabama would have gotten the ball at their 40.  Instead Bama goes three and out and punts from the end zone.  Arenas gets to listen to Nick Saban scream for his trouble.  It’s mental mistakes like that, that can kill a game.  10-10, Florida takes over at its 40.  7:19 2nd.

4:13 Jonathan Phillips ties the game 10-10 with a 19 yard field goal.  The key play on the drive was a 51 yard strike from Tim Tebow to Riley Cooper streaking down the right sideline.  He was dropped at the AL 4, but a false start penalty, and three runs forced Florida to kick the field goal on 4th down.  10-10 tie with 8:59 left in the second.  This one is living up to its billing.  That’s for sure.  Anyone out there today?  What do you think of the game, so far?  Register and weigh in!

4:04 CST: Nick Saban sends in backup kicker Corey Smith to attempt a 49 yard field goal.  It was a fake kick.  Holder scrambled a couple yards, far short of the first down.  Odd call.  Is there something wrong with Leigh Tiffin.  He was hit pretty hard on previous kickoff.  10-7 Alabama with 12:50 left in the second.  FLA takes over at its 31.

Key first quarter third down play… Alabama forces punt:

10-7 Alabama, 13:02 2nd

3:57—End of the First Quarter:  10-7 Alabama.

3:44—Alabama has taken the lead on the Florida Gators 10-7 with 3:28 left in the first quarter.  Leigh Tiffin connected on a 30 yard field goal after Alabama had trouble moving the ball in the red zone.  Bama started the drive on the Florida 25 yard line.  The key for Alabama’s defense on the second drive appeared to be the fact they had the Gators pinned back in their own end.  Bama seemed to have more confidence on defense.  Now the offense knows they can hang, too.  JPW had a key play when he threw the ball out of bounds instead of taking a sack.

Here’s what kickoff looked like:

3:29—So OK, maybe Alabama will be alright.  This isn’t exactly ball-control offense, but the Tide will take it.  Julio Jones creates a beautiful 64 yard gain with some crafty moves after the catch.  On the very next play, Glen Coffee goes 18 yards (to the right, too) and plunges into the endzone.  I’ve got chills, and we’ve got a ballgame.  Alabama’s drive:  2 plays, 82 yards.  Florida’s drive was nine plays and 59 yards.  7:23 left in the first.

3:25 well, that didn’t take long.  Florida marches down field and scores on a TD pass from Tim Tebow to David Nelson.  Nelson was well covered, but Tebow squeezed the throw into traffic.  Alabama’s defense did better closer to the goal line, when Tebow didn’t have much room to work, but if the D can’t slow down this option (or whatever you want to call it), it could be a long day for the Tide.  Time for Alabama to answer.

3:21—Florida is having no problem moving the ball on this first drive.  Each play is gaining about 12 yards.  Florida has been going no-huddle on this first series.

3:17—This place is LOUD and packed.  Alabama wins the toss and takes the ball, but goes three-and-out.  Florida takes over with great field position.  Let’s see how the D looks…

3:00 CST:  Former Tide greats Shaun Alexander and Bart Starr are here.  So is former Hoover High School football coach Rush Propst.

1:30 CST: Good afternoon, football fans, from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, where the #1 ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama faces off against #2 Florida in the SEC Championship game.  It’s a game some are calling the “real” National Championship.

Sorry for the delay in posting.  As usually happens in games like this, there are a few technical difficulties being worked out as game time approaches.  Media interest in this game is so high, the SEC had to create an auxiliary press box above the Alabama endzone.  Above is my view for the game, which, quite frankly, is much better than some of the seats crammed into the real press box.

Fans are filing into their seats for this battle, as members of both teams stretch on the field.  Assistant coaches are milling around.  Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore is standing near the tunnel that leads to the Alabama locker room.

By now, you’ve heard/read all the hype.  Some key questions will be answered in short order:

-Can Alabama control the clock and the ball, run its offense and capitalize on trips into the red zone?

-If Florida stacks the box, can John Parker Wilson find Julio Jones on deep routes over the top of the defense?

-Can the Alabama defense stay home and stop Florida’s misdirection plays before they get into open space?

-Will Alabama’s offensive line take advantage of a banged-up Florida D-line and wear them down in the second half, allowing Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram to eat up chunks of yards and clock?

The more I think about what might happen in this game, the more I’m reminded of the 2002 Super Bowl:  the unheralded underdog New England Patriots versus the “Greatest Show on Turf”, the heavily favored St. Louis Rams.

If you remember back to that game, the better coach and better gameplan won.

That’s why I think this game will come down to the foot of Leigh Tiffin.

Prediction:  Alabama 24, Florida 21.

What do you think?  Let me know how you think the game will go in the ‘Comments’ section.

If you have a question for me, email me at and put “BLOG” in your subject field.

Thanks, and enjoy the game! 
—Chris

Notes:  Florida WR Percy Harvin is in street clothes and will not play.
Alabama RB Roy Upchurch is also in street clothes and apparently will not play.
Alabama K Leigh Tiffin hit a 55 yard field goal in pre-game warmups.  We’ll see how that comes into play as the game develops.