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Talking points on Florida Gators at Alabama Crimson Tide

 
Published Sept. 21, 2014

Talking Points

1. Local products: RB Matt Jones (Armwood) made up the majority of Florida's first-half offense — which was unproductive to say the least — averaging 11 yards per carry. CB Vernon Hargreaves (Wharton) matched up in zone coverage with first-team All-SEC WR Amari Cooper, who caught 10 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Capitalization is key: Florida struggled mightily to capitalize on turnovers in the first half, though S Keanu Neal returned a fumble 49 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter. In the opening minutes of the second half, LB Antonio Morrison's pick of a deflected Blake Sims pass would result in a two-play touchdown drive for Florida, with QB Jeff Driskel rushing for a 14-yard score.

3. Driskel's inconsistencies continue: 2014 was supposed to be Driskel's breakout year in offensive coordinator Kurt Roper's new spread offensive scheme, but the redshirt junior has been inconsistent since the Eastern Michigan game. He threw two interceptions Saturday and went just 5-for-17 in the first half against the Tide defense. Driskel's backup, freshman Treon Harris, has not seen playing time since his 2-for-2, two-touchdown debut against Eastern Michigan in the season opener.

Sights and sounds

The SEC Network's pregame show, SEC Nation, was in Tuscaloosa this week. All three analysts — Paul Finebaum, Marcus Spears and Tim Tebow — picked Alabama to win. … Alabama's 1964 national title team was honored before kickoff, featuring members of the team that included Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath and coaches Gene Stallings and Howard Schnellenberger. … Hyped FSU transfer Jacob Coker saw his first game action for the Tide Saturday when QB Blake Sims left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Coker threw a touchdown to WR Amari Cooper late in the third quarter.

All atwitter

Jeff Driskel just threw the first TD pass by a Florida Gator at Alabama since 1998. The last one? Our own Jesse Palmer. — @ESPNU

Sooooo anybody warming up? — @ahmadblack35

#Gators are 4-13 under Will Muschamp when tied or trailing at the half, 5-11 when an opponent scores 21 points or more. — @onlygators

Phone's about to die. Fire Will Muschamp. — @edsbs

Put Jeff Driskel on the bench please, I have seen enough. — @EmmittSmith22

@GatorZoneFB Let's give Muschamp an extension. I bet by year eleven he can lose more games than we have scheduled. — @celebrityhottub

Last word

Did Lane Kiffin take Will Muschamp to school?

Morgan Moriarty, Times correspondent