Page 19 - ATD 05 DEC,2015

SPORTS A19
Saturday 5 December 2015

No. 2 Alabama’s SEC dominance shows no signs of letting up

tional titles. Discounting a seeing the development of no one is looking ahead to
rebuilding season when the program, of our play- the playoff. He called this
he took over a then-floun- ers, of the people around game ‘’a set up,’’ insisting
dering program in 2007, the program,’’ said McEl- that Florida is the best team
his teams have posted an wain, who spent four years the Tide has faced all sea-
astonishing record (95-12), as Saban’s offensive co- son.
earned a spot in five SEC ordinator. ‘’When you sit ‘’We know if we don’t win
championship games, and back and reflect a little bit, this game, we can’t do
been a serious player in ev- we’ve come a long ways. anything else further in the
ery national race except But how far we’re going to season,’’ tight end O.J.
one (in 2010, when the Tide go is probably the most ex- Howard said, taking his
‘’slumped’’ to 10-3). citing part of it.’’ coach at his word. ‘’We’ve
Not that there seems to be Alabama is already there, got to take it one step at a
any joy in the ride. though Saban has gone to time, so we’re just focused
Saban was in an espe- great lengths to make sure on this game.’’q
cially grumpy mood Friday,
Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball during the barely cracking a smile as
second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. he coldly, methodically
28, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. Heading into another appearance in discussed what it takes to
the SEC championship game, there’s no indication that anyone stay on top, year after year
is close to knocking off Nick Saban’s behemoth from Tuscaloo- after year.
sa: Certainly not Florida, which will face the No. 2 Crimson Tide ‘’It’s not easy at all,’’ he
on Saturday. said. ‘’You have to have
the right psychological
(AP Photo/Butch Dill) disposition to be able to
sustain all those ups and
PAUL NEWBERRY Despite a resurgent sea- downs and look at every
Associated Press son under new coach Jim one of those challenges as
ATLANTA (AP) -- Alabama McElwain, the offensively a test, not a sign of what’s
has set the bar high for the challenged Gators are a going to happen. It’s a test
rest of the Southeastern massive 18-point underdog of how you respond to it,
Conference. against Alabama (11-1, No. how you react to it, and
Heading into another ap- 2 CFP), which is one vic- how you try to take advan-
pearance in the SEC cham- tory away from a second tage of it, good or bad.
pionship game, there’s no straight trip to the College That’s the only way you
indication that anyone is Football Playoff. have a chance.’’
close to knocking off Nick ‘’Not real excited about Does No. 18 Florida (10-
Saban’s behemoth from playing these creatures,’’ 2, No. 18 CFP) have any
Tuscaloosa. McElwain joked Friday. chance?
Certainly not Florida, which In his ninth season as the The Gators’ offensive woes
will face the No. 2 Crimson Tide’s coach, Saban has were especially glaring
Tide on Saturday. already won three na- as they struggled to beat
Florida Atlantic in overtime
and lost 27-2 at home to
Florida State, with only a
safety preventing Florida’s
first shutout loss since 1988.
But McElwain isn’t about
to shy away from the chal-
lenge of going against his
former boss, having at least
restored some of Florida’s
former glory after the Will
Muschamp era.
The Gators are playing
in the SEC championship
game for the first time since
2009.
‘’It’s been so much fun