Gators, Crimson Tide Ready to Roll

Florida and Alabama will battle for the SEC Championship on Saturday afternoon at Atlanta's Georgia Dome with the winner earning a trip to the BCS Championship Game. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban will need his defense--led by safety Rashad Johnson and defensive tackle Terrance Cody--to not allow the Gators to score early and often. For Alabama to have a chance against the high-octane Gators, the Tide must stay within seven points to efficiently utilize its power running game led by Glenn Coffee. If Tim Tebow and the freshman backs get Florida out to an early lead, it will be interesting to see if John Parker Wilson will be forced to make plays in the passing game. But does Florida have a chance to score big points without Percy Harvin? Will he be able to play with his bum ankle? We shall soon find out...

For all of the bad press he received as head coach of the Cincinnati Begals, I think it's time that Dick LeBeau gets a steady stream of praise showered on him for designing a pretty incredible--and still underrated--Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The master of the 3-4 zone blitz scheme, LeBeau manages to get his unit to play not only with intensity every week but with a central focus, as well. The Cowboys-Steelers game on Sunday should be fun to watch. Can Tony Romo get off quick passes against the Steelers' blitz scheme? Is Marion Barber going to be available?

Willingham Out As Huskies Head Coach

Two days after falling to 0-7, Tyrone Willingham was fired as Washington's head football coach effective at the end of the season. The Huskies were coming off a 33-7 home dismantling at the hands of Notre Dame, the team Willingham previously coached for three seasons before coming to Seattle with hopes of restoring the program to national prominence. But Willingham could not break through and resurrect the program. Since the Huskies defeated Boise State to move to 2-0 in 2007, Washington is just 2-16 in its last 18 games. He never surpassed five wins in a season, and the Huskies have also lost 13 of their past 15 home games as attendance has dwindled at Huskie Stadium while the boo-birds have increased.

Georgia and Florida meet this Saturday afternoon in (oops, I'm gonna say it) The World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville with both teams peaking at just the right time. Georgia absolutely dominated LSU this past weekend, scoring 54 points at Tiger Stadium and thoroughly outplaying the defending national champions. Florida has really hit its stride, though, as Jeffery Demps and Chris Rainey are finally providing Tim Tebow with backfield options he can count on. The Gators are also seeking revenge for the end zone celebration after the Dawgs' first touchdown last season, so there's no question that both teams will be fired up for this one. I think the Gators have too much firepower for a defense that misses too many tackles, and the young Georgia offensive line still scares me. The winner most certainly will be playing Alabama for the SEC championship in December.

And wasn't there supposed to be a baseball game last night?