re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

quote:

---

Florida at Alabama

When: Saturday, Sept. 20; 3:30 p.m. ET

Last meeting: Trent Richardson ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns, his fourth straight 100-yard game, to pace Alabama to a 38-10 win at Florida in October 2011.



What to watch for

Florida (2-0) has had one of the biggest spotlights ever pointed on a team coming off a 4-8 season, since last year's bottomed-out record represented the program's worst since 1979. With Will Muschamp on the hot seat and a retooled offense under new coordinator Kurt Roper, all eyes have been on the Gators' every offensive move so far.

The early returns have been mixed, as the big numbers from a 65-0 win over Eastern Michigan were quickly forgotten after Florida needed three overtimes to get to 36 points and down Kentucky at home last week. There were mistakes but also great signs, like the running of Matt Jones (156 yards, one touchdown) and the big-play ability of receiver Demarcus Robinson (15 catches, 216 yards and two TDs).

Whether Florida has turned the corner yet will get a major litmus test against Alabama, but Matt Brown of Sports on Earth writes this game could be the perfect opportunity to take some risks to prove that progress has been made. "If Florida truly wants to expand the offense and be aggressive, then this is actually the time to try to do it and throw the kitchen sink at a game," Brown wrote.

Alabama (3-0) also gets to show whether its quarterback situation and cornerback play have been figured out with tough challenges in its SEC opener. Blake Sims has asserted himself as the Crimson Tide's starter, getting the bulk of the snaps and throwing for 646 yards and four TDs on 75 percent passing, but he's had the benefit of a run game averaging 270 yards per contest and receiver Amari Cooper putting up career numbers (33 receptions, 454 yards, two TDs).

The secondary, though, remains a work in progress. That unit surrendered a ton of yards in the opener against West Virginia, but recent foes Florida Atlantic and Southern Mississippi haven't had nearly as strong a passing game.

"Hopefully, we've gained some confidence and understanding of what it takes to play and be successful," Alabama coach Nick Saban told reporters.

Florida will show some signs of improvement, but not enough to beat Alabama for the first time since the 2008 SEC Championship or the first time in Tuscaloosa since 1998.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Florida 17

---

quote:

---

We have made some adjustments to the Alabama state rankings on 247Sports.

Some of the notable changes:

- Alabama running back commit Desherrius Flowers remains the No. 4 player in the state but he has descended some within the national Top247 as we've been able to see more backs and compare body of work.

- Auburn commit Richard McBryde has been bumped up into the Top247. He is now the No. 5 player in Alabama and the No. 182 player in the country.

- Alabama commit Anfernee Jennings has moved into the Top 10 in the state and has been given a 90 grade.

- Bessemer City offensive lineman Darryl Williams has descended slightly from a four-star to a three-star with an 88 grade. He is now No. 18 in the state.

- Auburn tight end commit Jalen Harris continues to move in a positive direction and is now ranked as the No. 17 player in the state.

- Murphy High School Duke commit Depriest Turner made a big jump up to within the state's Top 20, checking in at No. 19.

- Hoover High School running back Bradrick Shaw has descended to the middle of the pack in state to No. 34.

- Jumping Shaw at No. 33 and 32 respectively are South Carolina commit Jalen Henry and Louisville commit Tim Bonner.

---