The teams may have a different look than they did a year ago.
But when No. 9 Florida takes on top-ranked Alabama for the first time since the SEC championship game, there is just as much on the line.
Alabama puts its 18-game winning streak to the test against a Florida team that is hungry to prove it belongs in the top 10. The Crimson Tide came back against Arkansas in Fayetteville last week, prevailing 24-20. Florida routed Kentucky, 48-14.
“I’m impressed because Alabama came from behind,” said Arkansas legend Frank Broyles. “They scored two touchdowns to beat Arkansas in the fourth quarter. They stopped Arkansas’ game in the fourth quarter, which is what championship teams have to do.”
Auburn legend Pat Dye says Florida will have to outplay Alabama to win.
“Alabama made some mistakes against Arkansas, but they just don’t beat themselves,” Dye said. “They don’t throw interceptions, they don’t turn it over, they don’t get stupid penalties, and on top of that, they’ve got good players.”
Quarterback Greg McElroy has never lost as a starting quarterback for the Tide. Running back Mark Ingram is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. And his back up, Trent Richardson, has rushed for 356 yards in Alabama’s first four games (Ingram was out in the first two games with a knee injury). That’s just their offense.
“I think that Alabama is just too strong for Florida,” said Dye. “Florida has got great speed on defense. They have made a lot of big plays on defense that have kind of made their season for them until they played Kentucky when they came alive on offense.”
Freshman Trey Burton provided a spark for the Gator offense against Kentucky. He became the fourth player in SEC history to score six or more touchdowns in a single game.
Burton broke Tim Tebow’s school record for most touchdowns in a single game, topping Tebow’s five touchdowns against South Carolina in 2007.
“That kid can help them a little bit offensively,” said Dye. “I just don’t think Florida can beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa.”
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| RK | Team | Record | PV RK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Alabama (19) | 12-1 | 2 |
| 2 |  LSU | 13-1 | 1 |
| 3 |  Oklahoma State | 12-1 | 3 |
| 4 |  Oregon | 12-2 | 5 |
| 5 |  Stanford | 11-2 | 4 |
| 6 |  Arkansas | 11-2 | 9 |
| 7 |  Boise State | 12-1 | 6 |
| 8 |  Houston | 13-1 | 20 |
| 9 |  USC | 10-2 | 7 |
| 10 |  Michigan State | 11-3 | 12 |
2011 Final Frank Broyles Top 5 Poll
| RK | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | LSU |
| 3 | Oklahoma State |
| 4 | Oregon |
| 5 | Stanford |
2011 Final Pat Dye Top 5 Poll
| RK | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | LSU |
| 3 | Oklahoma State |
| 4 | Oregon |
| 5 | Michigan State |