College football notebook: Alabama defense prepares for Gators

By The Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Florida's unstoppable offense. Quarterback Chris Leak's dazzling exploits. Coach Urban Meyer's brilliant system. - College Football -

Alabama linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Juwan Simpson aren't quite sure what all the fuss is about.

"I don't see what's so special about this kid," Simpson said of Leak.

"It's nothing special. Everyone keeps saying that it's a special offense," Ryans said. "They're a five-wide, spread offense. We've just got to come up with a defense to stop it."

The 15th-ranked Crimson Tide defenders said plenty of complimentary things about the No. 5 Gators and their quarterback entering today's game, too. - College Football -

But the gist of the message from Simpson and Ryans is: Don't forget our defense is pretty good, too.

Alabama (4-0 overall, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) will find out just how good against the Gators (4-0, 2-0), who provide easily the Crimson Tide's toughest test so far this season.

Even though Florida's offense has been among the league's best, this isn't quite one of those 1990s matchups between the Gators' high-flying offense versus the Tide's heralded defense.

There's more to it than that. - College Football -

For all the hype focused on Meyer's offense and Leak's statistics, the Gators' defense ranks fifth nationally (Alabama is seventh). And the Tide's offense is only a couple of spots below Florida on the SEC stat sheets.

The Gators are allowing a mere 223 yards and 13 points per game.

"They're an extremely talented group — one of the best, if not the best, we'll play all year," Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle said. "They're fast, they're big, physical.

"They don't show any tendencies on their blitzes. They bring anybody at any point in time."

Meyer said Alabama's secondary is the best his team has faced. - College Football -

Ryans thinks the key could come down to turnovers.

Alabama has forced at least one in 21 consecutive games and the offense has lost a mere one fumble this season and has two straight turnover-free games. Florida has yet to throw a pass that has been intercepted. - College Football -

Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company