ATLANTA – Alabama’s fifth Southeastern Conference championship game triumph under coach Nick Saban was its most lopsided yet.
Despite a disastrous first quarter offensively, the top-ranked Crimson Tide returned an interception and a blocked punt for touchdowns to ignite a 54-16 dismantling of No. 15 Florida inside the Georgia Dome. Saturday’s 38-point margin of victory ranks second among the 25 SEC title contests, trailing only Auburn’s 56-17 drubbing of South Carolina in 2010.
The Crimson Tide’s tailback trio of Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Josh Jacobs combined for 212 rushing yards on 25 carries, while Alabama’s defense headed by title-game MVP Reuben Foster held Florida (8-4) to zero net yards on 30 rushes. Florida’s ground total included four sacks of Austin Appleby, who also threw three interceptions.
“Obviously, you’re not going to beat anybody giving them the ball four times,” Florida coach Jim McElwain said, “especially a team like Nick has put together, which in my opinion, is the best team top-to-bottom that he’s had since he’s been there.”
McElwain was Alabama’s offensive coordinator for Alabama’s national championship teams in 2009 and 2011, and a national title is two games away for this season’s Crimson Tide. Alabama will be the top seed in the four-team playoff when the pairings are revealed today, and the Tide (13-0) are assured of playing their semifinal in the Georgia Dome.