Gators looking out for No. 1

While there is an SEC championship and likely a berth in the BCS National Championship on the line Saturday in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, there is also this — Florida gets a chance to beat a No. 1-ranked team for only the third time in school history. The Gators may be favored, but Alabama is still No. 1.

Sun sports columnist Pat Dooley looks at the five things Florida needs to do in the game to knock off No. 1.

Don't get manhandled

While all the talk is about the speed of Florida and the fast starts, this game will be won or lost in the trenches. Florida has some issues with health on the defensive line and the timing is not good.

"We think this is the most physical offensive line we've faced in the last few years," Urban Meyer said. "It says a lot because last year's LSU team was physical as well. We're going to have to have a little movement up front so they can't just tee off on you with their size. That's my worst fear."

Alabama has one of the best left tackles in college football in Andre Smith, and center Antoine Caldwell was SEC lineman of the week after the Auburn game.

Find Julio Jones

The freshman wide receiver has made his mark in the SEC and was a star from the opening game. It's not that John Parker Wilson won't go to other receivers, it's just that he loves to go to Jones.

"He's one of the best players I've ever played with," Wilson said. "He makes everybody around him better."

Wilson doesn't throw a lot but when he does, it's usually to Jones, who has 20 more catches than anybody else on the team. And Jones, who was recruited heavily by the Gators, will be trying to show Florida what it missed out on.

Win field position

The Gator Nation is hoping Urban Meyer will dial up the right personnel for kickoff coverage after that awful performance in Tallahassee.

"Up to that point, I felt our kickoff team has improved to be the best since we've been here," Meyer said. "So I don't want to panic."

Javier Arenas is a sensational returner, but the Gators have a pretty good one themselves in Brandon James. One good thing — Alabama is 10th in punting and seventh in the league in kickoff coverage with only two touchbacks.

Get first downs

No team in the SEC has more first downs this season than the Florida Gators. But no team in the SEC has given up fewer first downs than Alabama.

One reason for that is that the Tide allows opponents to convert only one quarter of their third-down opportunities. That's the best third-down defense in the nation.

Florida has converted on 48.9 percent of its third downs. While the Gators would love a bunch of big-play scores, they are probably going to have to grind out some drives. Three-and-outs won't cut it.

Score, baby, score

Statistics aren't what it's all about. The stat that matters is the final score. Alabama has been tremendous in keeping teams out of the end zone.

In fact, the Tide has allowed only 16 red-zone possessions all season. By contrast, UF has had 58 this season. The Gators have been ultra-successful scoring when they get down there, but Alabama has been just as good defensively. Opponents have only scored seven touchdowns all season on red zone possessions. Florida may not get a lot of chances inside the 20. When the felt shrinks, the Gators need to take advantage of the opportunities.