Florida Gators
Vanderbilt
Gators ignoring those who say they have no chance against Alabama
Tuesday, December 1, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators enter Saturday's SEC Championship Game against Alabama as the second-biggest underdog in the game's 24-year history.
“I feel bad for the guy who was the first,'' Florida head coach Jim McElwain joked Monday.
That guy was former Arkansas coach Danny Ford, whose Razorbacks arrived in Atlanta in 1995 as a 24-point underdog to an undefeated Florida team that won 11 regular-season games by an average of 27.5 points.
The Gators won 34-3.
The No. 18-ranked Gators (10-2) are a 17-point underdog against No. 2-Alabama (11-1) coming off their 27-2 loss to Florida State.
Seems no one gives Florida a chance. The Gators say that's alright. They have been underdogs much of the season and found a way to win. They plan to show up at the Georgia Dome and try to knock off an Alabama team that has won nine consecutive games and is trying to become the first team to win back-to-back SEC titles since Tennessee (1997-98).
“The whole country has us underdogs and we are just going to prepare like we have week-in and week-out,'' fifth-year senior offensive lineman Trip Thurman said. “It doesn't bother us. I know a lot of fans and expectations outside this program thought we wouldn't be here at this point of the season.
“It's something that we take in one ear and out the other.”
One of the biggest upsets in college football this season was when Arkansas, a 21.5-point favorite, lost to Toledo.
So nothing is out of the realm of possibility.
The Gators know to pull off the upset Saturday they will have to be much better than in their loss to the Seminoles and in close calls against Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic. The Gators managed only 262 yards of total offense against the Seminoles and failed to score until a safety midway through the fourth quarter.
“You've got to pick yourself up,'' McElwain said. “You don't have time to pout. I know this: we will show up. Our guys deserve to be in there. We all woke up on Sunday and the sun came up. It's a new day. As I explained to them, what are we going to do with this day? This will be a lot of fun.”
The rest of the country might be overlooking the Gators, but Alabama coach Nick Saban is not a member of that club. Saban said Monday he thinks the Gators are being underestimated by the media and fans.
“Anybody out there that thinks this is not going to be a real challenge and a real test for our team, I don't know what you're thinking,'' he said. “I don't know what you're thinking. I really don't get it.”
Saban has said that before about other heavy underdogs. Regardless of what outsiders think of the matchup, the Gators are focused on competing.
“You come to Florida to play in these games,'' tight end Jake McGee said. “You come to Florida to play in the SEC Championship game. It's where you belong. It's something you really need to motivate yourself to play in this big-time setting.”
As for that lopsided point spread, Vernon Hargreaves III said he “could care less about a point spread, but some guys may use it as motivation.”
“We're focused on us,'' Hargreaves added. “We're focused on taking care of us and hopefully coming out with a win.”
