Paul Finebaum predicts outcome of Florida vs. Alabama.

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner09/17/21

Jonathan Wagner

Alabama and Florida are set to face off on Saturday in what could become one of the most entertaining college football games of the season. Coming into the game, Alabama is ranked No. 1 while Florida sits at No. 11 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll. Despite some questions at quarterback for Florida, this game could very well turn into a high scoring shootout. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, however, does not think that the game will be very close.

“I really don’t think this will be a fourth quarter game,” Finebaum said via Al.com’s Mark Heim. “I don’t think Florida is in the same category as Alabama… Alabama’s gonna go down there and blow the opposition out.”

Alabama began its season with a 44-13 victory over Miami. The Crimson Tide defeated Mercer 48-14 in week two. Florida, meanwhile, is also 2-0. The Gators defeated Florida Atlantic 35-14 in week one before beating South Florida 42-20 in week two.

Alabama will get a key contributor back on defense

While linebacker Will Anderson is unlikely to be back in full capacity, Alabama head coach Nick Saban expects him to suit up on Saturday against Florida. Anderson took a helmet to the knee against Mercer, but he has practiced throughout the majority of the week. Saban called Anderson day-to-day.

“Will’s doing good,” Saban said. “He was good today. He practiced today, and we’ll see how it goes. When a guy has an injury like he has, it’s pretty much you do a little bit more each day but then you’re always evaluating how do you feel the next day? Do you continue to make progress, or do you get sore and is it a setback? So it’s sort of a day-to-day thing, but he did more today (Thursday) than he has all week.”

Anderson is viewed as one of the nation’s best pass rushers. He earned Freshman of the Year honors last season, and he entered this year on the Butkus Award Watch List as the nation’s best linebacker.

Alabama must prepare for two dynamic Florida quarterbacks

Emory Jones is Florida’s starting quarterback. But that hasn’t stopped Anthony Richardson from showing off his explosiveness within the Gators’ offense. Last week, Richardson completed all three of his passes for 152 and two touchdowns. He also ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Richardson did come up at the end of a long Florida touchdown run last week with a hamstring injury, but he is expected to play on Saturday against Alabama.

Despite Richardson’s growth, there is no true quarterback controversy in Gainesville. Florida head coach Dan Mullen said earlier in the week that both Jones and Richardson will see the field in every game.

Since taking over at Alabama in 2007, Nick Saban is 41-3 against SEC East opponents. Alabama has won each of he past seven matchups, although Florida has won four of its last five games against teams ranked in the top ten. Both Alabama and Florida are looking to improve to 3-0 on Saturday.