Florida Gators Players Talk Alabama Hype, Accepting Underdog Mentality

The Florida Gators will be a heavy underdog heading into Saturday's matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Demetrius Harvey | Sep 16, 2021

The No. 11 Florida Gators are hosting the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday in perhaps one of the most hostile environments in the country, The Swamp. Known for its loud and boisterous crowd, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be packed with fans, roughly 90,000 strong, the third sellout of Dan Mullen's tenure as the Florida head coach.

Entering The Swamp is one of the most decorated and celebrated programs in the country in Alabama, creating a blend of power across both aisles, making for one of the best matchups in the country, and certainly, on the Florida schedule, Georgia included.

Heading into the matchup, plenty of talk has already been made, not only about the type of program Alabama is but the contest has been given an incredible point spread, with the Crimson Tide slated to be 15.5-point favorites.

For Florida players, they haven't paid much attention to the spread, but certainly, they know what type of team is heading into The Swamp this Saturday, and won't sugar coat just how good of a program Alabama is.

"They earned that," Gators running back Dameon Pierce said frankly when asked about the hype that Alabama has received.

"They’re the No. 1 team in the country, they have a great head coach. They have a great football team, great defense, great offense, they’re a well-running team, they deserve the hype that they're getting, they deserve all— you know every comment that's been made is based on Alabama being a great team, which they are."

Alabama is a great team, the program has won six national titles since 2009, including three in the past six years alone (2015, 2017, 2020). The defending National Champions deserve every bit of credit being sent their way, and Florida's challenge on Saturday will be great.

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators running back Malik Davis

Florida Gators outside linebacker Chief Borders

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen and players head to the sideline

Police officer during the national anthem

United States military members during the National Anthem

Florida Gators tight ends coach Tim Brewster

Florida Gators offensive lineman Ethan White

Florida Gators cornerback Elijah Blades

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators kicker Chris Howard

Florida Gators wide receiver Rick Wells

Florida Gators wide receiver Xzavier Henderson

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones celebrates with wide receiver Xzavier Henderson

Florida Gators defensive end Dante Zanders

Florida Gators cornerback Jadarrius Perkins and edge rusher Jeremiah Moon

Florida Gators running back Dameon Pierce

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators punter Jeremy Crawshaw

Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones and center Kingsley Eguakun

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones

Florida Gators wide receiver Justin Shorter

Florida Gators defensive end Khris Bogle and cornerback Kaiir Elam

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators offense huddles up

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr.

Florida Gators honorary 9/11 helmet

Former Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones

Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones and running back Malik Davis

Florida Gators kicker Chris Howard and punter Jeremy Crawshaw

Florida Gators linebacker Derek Wingo

Florida Gators linebacker Diwun Black

Florida Gators defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate

Florida Gators wide receiver Jacob Copeland

Florida Gators wide receivers Jacob Copeland and Trent Whittemore

Florida Gators running back Nay'Quan Wright

Florida Gators cornerback Jadarrius Perkins and linebacker Diwun Black

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter

Florida Gators outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon

Florida Gators defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk

Florida Gators linebackers coach Christian Robinson

Florida Gators cornerback Avery Helm

Florida Gators tight end Nick Elksnis

Florida Gators offensive tackle Richard Gouraige

Florida Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam

Florida Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen

Florida Gators running backs Dameon Pierce and Isaac Ricks

As for the Gators being a 15.5-point underdog, Pierce feels as though that's the oddsmakers being kind of nice. It is Alabama, after all.

“This is my first time hearing that," Pierce began. "15 points? Against Bama? They being nice, aint they? They being nice ain’t they?”

Perhaps they are being nice, but even as a joke, the sentiment is true: Most teams aren't favored at all against Alabama, and 15 points is a pretty close spread, considering.

Some players, like Florida pass rusher Brenton Cox, understand the importance but stressed that the mindset heading into Saturday will be like going up against any other SEC opponent.

“I mean the whole SEC to me is a tough conference," Cox said when asked about the gap in competition between Alabama and the rest of the SEC. "I don't see a big gap. I don't know what to say to that one. The whole SEC is a tough conference, from the sorriest team to the best team, so that’s all I’ve got for you.”

A victory over Alabama would mean plenty to Florida. Of course, they'd cement themselves as one of the top programs in the nation, but it would also be the first time Mullen has defeated the Crimson Tide as an SEC head coach, and it will be the first time over the past seven matchups that Florida has secured the victory.

Still, Cox believes a victory over Alabama would be just that, a victory over the Crimson Tide, and a good start to the SEC matchups Florida will have this year.

“We just trying to get over that hump. Each year, you prepare for them. Either it’s the end of the year or the beginning of the year like this game," said Cox.

"We just trying to get over the hump. They’re a good team, we’re a good team. I mean, if we were to win, I don't think it would be a shocker. If they were the winning, I don't think it'd be a shocker because like I said, it’s the SEC. You never know.”

Linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper feels the same way, the opportunity is big, and anytime you can win a game against a rival SEC opponent, it means everything to the program. Anytime you can win any game it's a major opportunity.

“This is a huge opportunity, but I mean, we want to beat everybody," said Hopper. "So, I mean, yeah. It’s a great opportunity and all, but we want to win every game. We’re approaching every game the same, so yeah.”

Come Saturday, the entire nation will get a look at what Florida has to offer. A victory over the best team in college football will shock the masses, especially those who feel like the 15.5-point spread is justified. For the Florida players, they'll be ready, or as ready as they can be.

To start off the season 1-0 in the SEC by defeating the Crimson Tide? As Pierce said on Tuesday, "Ooh, no better way, baby."

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Published Sep 16, 2021

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Demetrius Harvey is a beat writer covering the Florida Gators, including football, basketball and recruiting. He currently serves as the deputy editor of Sports Illustrated - AllGators. Demetrius also covers the Jacksonville Jaguars for Vox Media. Follow Demetrius on Twitter at @Demetrius82.