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SEC Championship Game: 5 reasons Florida has no chance vs Alabama

By John Buhler

Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain pose with the SEC trophy between the SEC coaches press conference at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain pose with the SEC trophy between the SEC coaches press conference at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) runs with the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) runs with the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jordan Scarlett will be kept quiet

For Florida to have any realistic shot at beating Alabama, its star running back Jordan Scarlett will have to run all over the Crimson Tide front seven. Not sure that is going to happen.

The benchmark that Scarlett will have to hit would be 30 carries for 150 yards and two rushing touchdowns to win a low-scoring defensive struggle 17-14. Scarlet is the type of offensive player that won’t tire against the Alabama defense, so he does offer some sliver of hope for Florida to pull off the shocking upset.

The problem is that Florida is likely to be playing from behind. That essentially forces McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier’s hands to stick with the pass over the run. Once Florida decides to go with the pass, it’s over for Gator Nation.

It will take a Derrick Henry herculean effort from the Florida bell-cow back Scarlett to stand a chance against Alabama. Even if he does rush for over 150 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, will that be enough to beat Alabama? Exactly.

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