Ten Observations From The Georgia Dome

   1. Did you anticipate a blowout after the first possession by each team? Three-and-out for Alabama, an eye-blink touchdown drive by Florida.

   2. What was more unlikely than a long, two-play scoring march by plodding Alabama?

   3. What on earth was the Bama special teams coach thinking on the fake field goal without its real kicker on the field?

   4. Was there ever a more crucial bonehead play than Javier Arenas catching the kickoff and stepping out at the four-yard line, which allowed the Gators to break a tie before halftime?

   5. Why did Urban Meyer go to the locker room with three timeouts in his pocket? Couldn't the quick-strike Gators have gotten into field-goal range?

   6. How many shifts of momentum did you count? At least six, right?

   7. Did those who gamble on Alabama (plus 10 points) kiss Meyer on the TV screen when his sideline infraction could have turned the last Gator touchdown drive into a field goal, which would have put Florida up by seven instead of 11?

   8. Can you now appreciate the value of Percy Harvin to Florida -- by his absence, seeing as how the Gators offense got little out of their running backs?

   9. Are Florida's reliable receivers the most underappreciated part of the team?

   10. Did you notice how the scouting report on John Parker Wilson proved true: Put him in passing situations and he cannot beat you.

   And this bonus observation:

   10. Didn't this game achieve the impossible by nearly living up to its billing?  

  

And Your SEC Champion Is . . .

   I've seen Florida's offense treat defenses like they were paper mache. I've seen the college quarterback of the decade in blue and orange. I've seen a bright -- and, just as important, flexible -- shape and mold an offense to match his players' abilities.

   I cannot pick against the Gators and Urban Meyer. They have more weapons than Alabama. And Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson, who is effective when defenses are stacked against the run, will face pressure like he's never seen.

   Now, for the point spread, which has climbed a half-point back to 10: I've seen too many spectacular teams expected to run roughshod over unflashy foes get dragged into a scrum. Romps happen to squads without stellar athletes and play-makers. Bama has both.

   Yard-eaters Percy Harvin and Chris Rainey probably will play for Florida, but injuries will keep them from reaching high gear. Tim Tebow's Heisman Trophy sequel has equaled the original, though not without their help.

   Admittedly, I've witnessed many games that have turned from anticipated classics into actual duds.  In this, the most titillating SEC Championship ever and a virtual national title semifinal game to boot, I see the Crimson Tide keeping it close but not lighting a cigar.

   Gators 24, Tide 17.

   Am I close to your prediction?

   As for Tebow's Heisman chances, I think he can overcome Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, but it will take some heroics or huge numbers. I don't envision the latter, but a game-winning drive capped by him bulling across the end zone would send a second trophy back to Gainesville.

   How do you evaluate Tebow and the Heisman? 

What We Learned, No. 1: Alabama Should Be No. 2

   Calm down, Crimson Tide fans. So what if the Longhorns leapfrogged Alabama onto the top rung of the AP poll?

   You're still No. 2. That's where you wanna be in mid-December, when the BCS Championship contestants are determined. Hold your turf, and you're in. 

   Beside, a bye week rarely has worked out better. Not only did depth-challenged Alabama get a much-needed blow for its young roster, but the three teams closest to the Crimson Tide in the Top 25 tumbled.

   It would be a nice story had Bama, barely mentioned in preseason title talk, would have crested at No. 1. But my vote goes to Texas, terrific in unseating Oklahoma. In a head-to-head, as it stands now, the Tide's passing offense with close-to-the-vest QB John Parker Wilson would not be potent enough to capitalize on Texas' kiddie corps secondary. The Longhorns' offense is varied enough to score even on Bama's vaunted defense.

   Who would you like in this matchup? Would Alabama-Texas satisfy you as the national title game?

   

What We Learned, No. 2: 'Bama Needs The Bye

   Alabama remains No. 2 in the AP ranking, 23 slots higher than it started this season. Sorry, Crimson Tide nation, but Texas should have leapfrogged you.

   The Tide looked shaky against Kentucky, unable to put away a visitor with a butter-fingered quarterback in his first road game. They stagger into an off week, a welcome respite for a young team with little depth.

   I'm gonna retract a bit of my recent huzzahs for John Parker Wilson, who seemed less in control than in previous games.

   Where would you rank the Tide?

   Speaking of the polls, LSU's bye week cost it a spot as the Tigers dipped to No. 4. With Vandy climbing six positions, your SEC can claim five of the top 13 -- and, counting Auburn, six of the top 20. 

   How would you compare the SEC with the other power league, the Big 12?