By The Numbers: Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

Yes, I’m giving you the rundown again. Quick look. An Alabama hero. A Florida hero. A past recruiting moment. The full preview. Now on to By the Numbers. I’m not sure if this will become a regular piece (after all, how many really are?), but the Gators and Crimson Tide has a surprising amount of similarities in the numbers department, so for at this one week, you get this column.

On paper doesn’t mean much. It may actually not mean anything. On paper are the numbers we look at before and after a game. We can immediately point to one statistic and declare that’s why one team beat the other when in reality it may have been one play shifting momentum or one mistake dooming a team. On paper is fun to look at and mull over though, especially when in that respect two teams look so evenly matched.

Many would tell you Alabama has the heavy advantage over Florida in Saturday’s matchup. They may be right, but we really won’t know that until the game is played. What we do know is that by the numbers these two teams are more similar than you’d think. Here’s a rundown:

The Gators average 461.8 offensive yards per game. The Tide average 456.1. Florida scores at a slightly higher clip – 40.3 – but Alabama isn’t far behind at 38.5. The teams are back-to-back at 13th and 14th in the nation in yards per play. The Tide average 6.883 and the Gators average 6.815.

Bama is 2nd in the nation in total defense while Florida comes in at 5th. The two also hold those same spots in terms of rushing yards allowed. When it comes to points, the Tide allow the nation’s 2nd best total at 8.0 per game, while the Gators rank 4th at 9.0. Each has grabbed 4 interceptions.

Many will be quick to criticize Florida quarterback John Brantley. On the season, he’s 55-for-86 (64.0%) for 752 yards (8.74 per attempt) with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions to land at a rating of 148.1. Alabama QB A.J. McCarron’s numbers: 63-for-95 (66.3%), 779 yards (8.20 per attempt), 4 TDs, 2 INTs, 144.9 rating. Well then.

Although not exactly a similarity you want to point out, the backups – Jeff Driskel and Phillip Sims – also have something in common: 2 interceptions thrown a piece.

Trent Richardson is the Heisman candidate and his 8 touchdowns help that campaign along. He has 441 rushing yards and is averaging 6.6 per carry. Chris Rainey only has 2 scores on the ground this season, but has 411 yards and 6.5 per carry. While Richardson’s individual rushing touchdowns are higher, Bama is only one up on Florida as a team – 13-12.

And then there are the “backups.” Jeff Demps and Mike Gillislee have combined to carry the ball 56 times for 502 yards (an amazing 9.0 per carry) and 6 touchdowns. Eddie Lacy and Jalston Fowler have totaled 52 carries for 465 yards (only 8.9 per carry) and 5 scores.

Caleb Sturgis is more accurate than Jeremy Shelley in terms of field goals, but the two kickers are right on target with each other on extra points – 18-19.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jon Bostic leads the Gators with 26 tackles. Dont’a Hightower leads the Tide with 25. The solo tackle lead goes to Bostic over Mark Barron 19-16. Bostic also leads Florida with 4.0 tackles for loss. Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are tied for the Bama lead 4.5.

Sacks haven’t been a strong part of either team’s play so far this season, but with leaders totaling 2.0 (Florida’s Bostic again and Ronald Powell) and 1.5 (Alabama’s Nick Gentry) there’s yet another similarity.

And finally, the Gators have hit opposing quarterbacks 14 times. The Tide have done so 15 times.

As I said above, on paper doesn’t win you games, but it does give you something to look at and mull over leading up to matchups. On paper, Florida looks more evenly matched than many of the “experts” would have you think. On paper may be a Gator fan’s best friend this week. It may not determine the outcome, but more than one of these numbers will have some impact on it.