Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster and the rest of the Crimson Tide's star-studded defense led a 54-16 win over Florida in the SEC Championship Game Saturday, lifting UA to a third consecutive league title almost certainly a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Foster, a senior who projects as a first-round draft choice, made a game-high 11 tackles and two sacks to lead an Alabama run defense that allowed zero rushing yards on 30 carries.
With another of Alabama's top defensive prospects, CB Marlon Humphrey, out for the game with a hamstring injury, the Florida passing attack was surprisingly effective on touchdown drives of 64 and 92 yards to begin and end the first half. The Gators' offensive line played surprisingly well in pass protection for most of the game, but the Alabama pass rush got to UF QB Austin Appleby late. DE Jonathan Allen and LB Tim Williams, both projected as high draft picks next spring as well, combined for a fourth-quarter sack, and Allen added a solo sack on the next play.
Allen also had an assisted tackle during a goal line stand early in the fourth quarter that all but put the game away for Alabama. Trailing 33-16, Florida was in a first-and-goal situation from the Alabama 2-yard line after a 32-yard screen pass to Lamical Perine. The Gators were stugged on three consecutive runs, however, and a fourth-down incompletion left UF without points.
Alabama sophomore safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned an interception, one of three by the UA secondary, for a first-half touchdown.
The College Football Playoff selection committee has ranked Alabama No. 1 since it began releasing its rankings on Nov. 1, and the Crimson Tide is the only undefeated Power Five conference team in the nation. As such, UA is expected to earn the No. 1 seed for the CFP's four-team field when the pairings are released on Sunday.
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