Alabama and Florida have been the Exxon Mobil and Chevron of college football the last five years. They are 36-3 combined in the Southeastern Conference since the start of the 2008 season, with two of those losses coming against each other.
It took Urban Meyer only two years to win his first national title at Florida in 2006; it took Nick Saban three years to win his first national title at Alabama last season.
The teams meet tonight in a matchup of Nos. 1 vs. 7, a rematch of the last two riveting SEC title games, split between the two schools.
This matchup is different, unfortunately for Florida. The Crimson Tide, an eight-point favorite, appears better than a year ago. Star wide receiver Julio Jones is finally healthy, and Heisman winner Mark Ingram (154 yards per game) and Trent Richardson (89 ypg) are the nation’s best 1-2 rushing punch since Auburn’s Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown in 2004.
Bama quarterback Greg McElroy has won 30 consecutive games in which he’s started, dating to his high school days.
However, McElroy’s three interceptions this season are just one fewer than he had all last season, and Florida leads the nation with 12 interceptions.
Florida quarterback John Brantley came into his own against Kentucky last week. Leading rusher Jeffrey Demps is “probable” with a bruised foot, and receiver Patrick Rainey has been suspended over a stalking charge. But Florida has a new threat in Trey Burton.
Playing in the wildcat position against Kentucky, Burton rushed for five TDs in five attempts and caught a pass for another.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Georgia (1-3) at Colorado (2-1)
5 p.m., Folsom Field, FSN
For Colorado, it always seems to come down to pass protection. “If we block it up front, no matter who the running back is, those guys are going to gain yards,” CU senior wideout Scotty McKnight said. CU yielded six sacks to California and got blitzed 52-7. QB Tyler Hansen, left, was not sacked by Hawaii. Georgia, like Cal, plays a 3-4 defensive set and sends a linebacker on almost every play. Keep an eye on Bulldogs outside ‘backer Justin Houston (6-feet-3, 258), who has three sacks and 6 1/2 tackles for loss. Georgia ranks third among SEC teams in rushing defense, so CU may be forced to throw early and often.
No. 5 TCU (4-0) at Colorado State (1-3)
Noon, Hughes Stadium, MTN
TCU is the highest-ranked team to come to Hughes Stadium since the 1996 Colorado team. The Horned Frogs had an extra day to prepare, coming off a Friday game with crosstown rival SMU. CSU has some new offensive confidence after a breakthrough against Idaho last week. The Rams’ defense had only two key stops and has had more than its share of problems. CSU veteran cornerback Momo Thomas is out for the season with shoulder surgery and will be replaced by true freshman Shaq Bell, left, who went to the same high school as Thomas in Kissimmee, Fla. Bell has 11 tackles to his credit.
Navy (2-1) at Air Force (3-1)
12:30 p.m., Falcon Stadium, VS
Tim Jefferson, left, steps up for a chance to become the first Air Force quarterback to engineer a victory over Navy since Chance Harridge in 2002, when the Falcons won 48-7. In Jefferson’s freshman season in 2008, Navy won 33-27. Last year, the Midshipmen won 16-13 in overtime. Navy has won seven straight in the series. Air Force is concluding a stretch of four consecutive games against teams that went to bowl games in 2009: BYU, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Navy. The Midshipmen lead the nation in pass defense (99.3 yards per game) and are 13th in total defense (262.0).
Montana (2-2) at Northern Colorado (2-2)
1:30 p.m., Nottingham Field
The Grizzlies have the No. 1 pass offense in the Big Sky at 289 yards per game. While they lost starting quarterback Andrew Selle to a career-ending shoulder injury, Montana has a more-than-capable backup in senior Justin Roper. Roper started two games last season and previously was at Oregon, where he led the Ducks to a 56-21 victory in the 2007 Sun Bowl, passing for a bowl-record four TDs in his first career start. The Bears’ most improved area from a year ago is their running game. Led by senior Andre Harris, left, who is averaging 84.5 yards per game, UNC is second in the Big Sky in rushing offense (181 ypg).
Chadron State (3-1) at CSU-Pueblo (4-0)
2 p.m., DeRose ThunderBowl
CSU-Pueblo will need another big game from freshman defensive end Beau Martin, left. In last week’s comeback win at Fort Lewis, Martin forced a fumble at the end of the second half to set up the go-ahead TD. He also had two sacks. Chadron tailback Glen Clinton is coming off consecutive 150-yard-plus rushing games, including 155 last week in the win over Adams State. CSUP scored two defensive TDs last week, giving the Pack four defensive scores this season. Next on the schedule for the ThunderWolves is Colorado Mines, which also is undefeated in the RMAC.
Players to watch
Garrett Gilbert, QB, Texas
How will Gilbert respond against Oklahoma after committing three turnovers last week in a loss to UCLA? The Longhorns have won four of the last five in the Red River Rivalry. 1:30 p.m., KMGH-7
Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State
Wisconsin needs to contain the reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year, who already has 33 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles this season. 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Robert Bolden, QB, Penn State
The freshman will attempt to do what former Penn State star Daryll Clark could not — beat Iowa. If Bolden can’t handle the raucous atmosphere in Iowa City, it could be a long night for the Nittany Lions. 6 p.m., ESPN
Owen Marecic, FB, Stanford
The two-way player for the Cardinal is from Oregon, site of the game between top-10 teams. Marecic scored on a run and interception return 13 seconds apart in Stanford’s 37-14 victory over Notre Dame last week. 6 p.m., KMGH-7
