'92 Bama vs. '96 Florida Quarterfinal Preview

The quarterfinals are here! The Scout.com/WhatIfSports.com Tournament of Champions pits 16 national championship teams from 1988 through 2005 in head to head battles to determine just which team from this exciting era of college football would be the best. Here is a look at our second quarterfinal matchup between the '96 Florida Gators and the '92 Alabama Crimson Tide.

This one could almost be described as the irresistible force (Florida) against the immovable object (Alabama). The Gators got to the quarter-final round by putting on a tremendous offensive show in a 51-34 win over '99 Florida State that featured five touchdown passes from Danny Wuerffel and a spectacular 12-catch, 225-yard, 4-touchdown performance from wide receiver Ike Hilliard.

Alabama meanwhile did a typical lunch bucket win, 17-7, over '98 Tennessee. Alabama held Tennessee to just 83 passing yards and the Crimson Tide got five sacks. Offensively, tailback Derrick Lassick stole the show with 100 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards on six catches. Quarterback Jay Barker was efficient as always, 18-26 for 228 yards.

For Florida to beat this tough Alabama team, the Gators have to come up with the same kind of pressure that produced three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery against FSU.

The Florida offensive line will have the unenviable task of keeping John Copeland and Eric Curry from pressuring Wuerffel. Alabama has to stick with its defensive game plan which is create pressure with the defensive line so the Crimson Tide can drop seven into coverage. Alabama cannot afford even a single turnover against Florida. You just can't give Coach Steve Spurrier extra opportunities to move the football.

SECOND ROUND EDGE: Alabama has the defensive intensity to make life miserable for just about any team but Florida has so many weapons in the passing game. The key for the Gators will be to protect Wuerffel and force Alabama to bring its linebackers to create pass rush. If Alabama has to use blitz the linebackers it will be a tough day for the Alabama defense. If Alabama can get pressure without blitzing and the Tide can control the football on the ground with Lassic, then this could be a grind it out game. The key number here is 100, if Florida rushes for 100 yards, this will be a Florida win.