The Gators hold teams to just 14.3 points per game, which is 14.5 below their foes normal average on 2.5 yards per rushing attempt to 4.5 and 5.8 to 7.4. Nick Saban is not obsessed with seeding or making statements.

On the other hand simply keeping this game close is a building block for next year and even a good bowl for the Gators. The oddsmakers tell us it is going to be low scoring. It is the type of game that even if Bama dominates, the score could be deceptively close because the Gators defense can keep it respectable. But the Gators are good enough to keep it close in the boxscore and the final score.