At the start of every SEC on CBS broadcast, Gary Danielson shares his keys to each team’s success.
Saturday will be no different when No. 1 Alabama travels to the Swamp to face No. 11 Florida for a 2:30 p.m. kick. The game will be live streamed on Paramount+ and fuboTV.
Except Danielson, who joined me on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 on Thursday, gave Mobile-area listeners a sneak peek into those keys.
“Florida has to run their quarterback,” the 70-year-old Danielson said. “It has to be part of their offense. If they can’t run their quarterback, their offense is going to break down.”
Think Alabama-Mississippi State, the 2017 version. While the Bulldogs lost 31-24 win, quarterback Nick Fitzgerald ran for 66 yards and a score. Mississippi State - ironically enough, coached by now-Florida head man Dan Mullen - converted 8 of 15 third-down conversions.
That’s what it will take to beat Nick Saban’s Tide, Danielson explained.
“I’ve witnessed maybe eight or 10 loses we’ve done,” Danielson said of Alabama. “In all those losses, quarterback play was exceptional. That’s the key to the game.”
If a dual-threat quarterback is needed, doesn’t that mean Anthony Richardson - if recovered enough from a hamstring injury to play - has to get the nod?
Not necessarily.
Danielson is high on Emory Jones, despite all he read to the contrary heading into the season and the matchup with Alabama
“Emory’s a very talented football player,” he explained. “He more fits the experienced play calling that Dan has used in the past. ...
“I, frankly, was surprised when I turned on the tape expecting to see a train wreck. He made some mistakes, but he’s a very talented player at quarterback. If he’s on his game, he’ll give any defense problems.”
Of course, this isn’t just any defense. It’s Alabama. Studs at inside linebacker and depth at safety and at defensive line caught Danielson’s attention in the first two weeks of the season.
While Alabama is currently a 14.5-point favorite, according to the Las Vegas Insider consensus, this game has had significant national championship implications.
The last two times Alabama and Florida met in Gainesville, the winner won the national championship, Danielson pointed out. In 2006, it was Florida. Alabama returned the favor in 2011.
All of that aside, Paul Finebaum - who also joined me on WNSP-105.5 Thursday - was a little less subtle with his take on the way Saturday’s game will go.
“I really don’t think this will be a fourth-quarter game,” said Finebaum, who will be a part of SEC Nation’s broadcast from Gainesville on Saturday. “I don’t think Florida’s in the same category as Alabama.”
Finebaum cites the Tide’s first-half defense in both games in which they jumped out to leads and, of course, the play of quarterback Bryce Young.
“Alabama’s gonna go down there and blow the opposition out,” Finebaum said.
Danielson and Finebaum are on the same page when it comes to the Alabama quarterback.
The CBS analysis compared Young to Russell Wilson for his ability to “play under control, have great instincts and ability to move in the pocket.”
“Everybody who saw him in practice knew Bryce, once he took over, was going to be a special player.”
When is the Alabama-Florida game?
The game between Alabama and Florida is set for 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. ET) on Saturday, Sept. 18.
Will it be live streamed?
The game will be live streamed on Paramount+, which offers a 7-day free trial, and features more than 20,000 episodes and movies from ViacomCBS family, which includes CBS, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and more.
There are two tiers to the streaming service. For $4.99 per month, you get limited commercials. For $9.99 per month, there are no commercials. Both tiers come with the 7-day free trial.
Also, check out fuboTV, which offers a 7-day free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo standard” package, which comprises 100-plus channels for $64.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports.
What TV channel will broadcast the game?
The Crimson Tide and Gators will be broadcast on CBS.
Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.
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