Bourbon Boys Pick the SEC -- CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION

There’s only one game that matters to the Bourbon Boys this week. This is what we’ve been waiting for all year…its the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP! Let’s all hope for a good clean game that with zero discussion about the refs when its all over. On to the picks!!


12/5/09

4:00pm SEC Championship Game @ the Georgia Dome

Alabama v. Florida -6

Cuzzin Bailey
Since I have been studying so much lately, time hasn’t lent itself very much for thought about the game, so I guess I’ll start now. I have diligently watched both teams with the hope for this matchup, and now that I have it I’m not sure what to do about it. I will tell you that Tebow is a difference maker. I know that’s about as cliché as mentioning that he’s a big God boy, and roommates with Riley “the Hair” Cooper, but its so true. He IS our “3rd-and-anything” guy, he IS the one that makes something out of nothing, and he IS the best QB/athlete on the field in almost every game he plays. Bama’s Defense is outstanding. They are holding teams down with their smothering run D and linebacker play, but I think their secondary is a bit susceptible to blow coverage. I really have to throw the Auburn game out. The Tigers had nothing but trickeration going their way for the first 15-20 minutes, and after that they accomplished very little. On the flip side, UF’s defense is also their complete strength. Strong LBs and a solid line makes for the perfect recipe for stopping the run, which is HUGE this weekend. I have to think if we can minimize the damage caused by Richardson and Ingram, and put the weight of the game on the shoulders of Greg McElroy, the Gators have a great chance of winning this game again. Look for UF’s secondary to be the game changers if Bama looks to pass too early. That being said, the Tide’s QB looked pretty poised on that last drive to beat War Eagle last week, I guess its just a matter of not giving him ANY options with the run game. Also, I’m sure that Ingram is pretty “healthy” and will certainly play Saturday, but I am a little curious just how healthy he is…I wouldn’t be surprised if they were downplaying that hip-pointer all week just to keep UF on its toes. Either way, Richardson is a solid back and has certainly commanded attention in the Gator practices, (so that was probably just my journalistic instinct curious about Ingram). I guess when it comes down to it, I’m glad we have Tim Tebow, I’m glad there are so many haters out there, and I look for the haters’ hatred to grow exponentially come Saturday evening…

BAMA 17
FLORIDA 24


El Gran Mono
After a long year of stupid incidents and shitty playcalling, its finally time to decide the king of the SEC. Timmy and the Gators offense have regressed since a year ago and its not just the loss of Murphy and Harvin causing the problems. Tebow's release is ridiculously slow this year and his dcision making is even slower. Steve Addazio has attempted to avoid those problems by calling an excessive number of Brandon James screen passes and straight QB keepers. That said, the past two weeks we've seen more of the helter skelter style where Tebow is running more zone read and underneath passing plays. If the Gators make a commitment to pass on first down, they should have no problem exploiting an overrated Bama secondary. Bama will stuff anything vanilla that the Gators try to run.

As for the Tide, I've heard a lot of "they just like to play conservative" and "Saban likes to run" this week. Actually, if you look a some past LSU teams, Saban tends to go with whatever he has (including Rohan Davey chucking the ball around 40 times a game). The Tide have a good run blocking OL and some stud backs. They also have a shitty pass blocking OL and a QB who is very limited. At the beginning of the year, I thought McElroy was better than JPW. But as the season has gone along I've realized that he doesn't even have that small amount of playmaking ability that JPW.

Both defenses are great but UF's is more talented, they have only been fazed by a strong arm QB with the ability to throw the long routes to the corner. Bama will not be able to exploit that area. Bama will be lucky to score 10 points. Florida will score at least 17.

Tide rolling into New Orleans 6
Gatorwalking to Pasadena 20


Malt Licker
I can’t believe the regular season is already over, boy that flew by. After a most enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend, my stomach is in knots over this game verses Alabama. Mr. Dunlap added unneeded drama and distraction with his DUI. If only he were sober and being chased by a leggy Swede with a 3-iron. The ATL must be awash with Bama bangs and houndstooth caps. Hopefully the SEC will at least give us 45% of the tickets this year. As far as the game is concerned, I expect a slog-fest. If, and it’s a big if, our defense can shut down the running game, we could win in double figures. However, I see Bama being able to string a drive or two together, and that is all their defense will need to keep this close. In the end, I have to think Tebow will be able to make 3 or 4 big plays to lead us to a cover, and on the road to Pasadena.

Crimson Tide 13
Fightin’ Gators 20