Florida

Until 1983, the Gators were 0-3 in UCFC games. Now they have a record of 23-13. Most of those wins came during the Tim Tebow era. Florida's 41-14 win over Ohio State for the 2006 national championship game was a UCFC game, and Florida's 24-14 win over Oklahoma for the 2008 national title was another. Florida then kept the UCFC throughout the entire 2009 regular season, before losing 32-13 to Alabama in the SEC championship. On the whole, Florida went 18-2 in UCFC games with Tebow. And now -- only five games after they lost the title -- they have the chance to win it back.

This will be the fourth UCFC game between Florida and Alabama. Here are the results of the other three:

09/20/1986: Alabama 21, Florida 7

09/19/1987: Florida 23, Alabama 14

12/05/2009: Alabama 32, Florida 13

Arkansas 20 - 24 Alabama (Final)

So, when I left Arkansas had just kicked a field goal to take a 20-7 lead, and it looked quite grim for Alabama. Here's what happened after that:

1. With 4:56 left to go in the 3d quarter, Alabama drove 74 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Arkansas 20 - 14 Alabama.

2. Arkansas was held and forced to punt. Alabama took over at its own 20.

3. Alabama launched an 8-minute drive that stalled at the Arkansas 18. A field goal cut the Arkansas lead to 3. Arkansas 20 - 17 Alabama

4. With 4:19 left in the game, Ryan Mallett threw a disastrous interception that was returned to the Arkansas 12.

5. Mark Ingram took three rushes to go 12 yards. With only 3:18 left, Alabama had the lead. Arkansas 20 - 24 Alabama

6. Arkansas drove to the Alabama 48. With 1:48 left, Mallett threw another interception. Alabama took over at its own 35.

7. Alabama kept the ball on the ground for five more plays, running out the clock.

A few observations. First, Mallett's two interceptions killed Arkansas. As I said earlier, he had been the difference for Arkansas -- he had to play at a very high level for the Razorbacks to win. Second, Mark Ingram was incredible. The best running back Alabama has ever had carried the ball 24 times for 154 yards. Third, Alabama's quarterback -- who has not lost a game as a starter since he was in the 8th grade -- made plays as needed, while not making any more huge mistakes.

Finally, this has to go down as one of the all-time great Alabama wins. For the first 35 minutes of this game, almost everything went Arkansas's way. Alabama was 13 points behind -- they were on the road -- they were playing in an incredibly difficult environment -- they were facing an excellent coach -- and they still won. But there is no rest for the weary. Next Saturday night, Alabama will defend the UCFC at home against the last UCF Champion -- Florida.

Alabama's record in UCFC games is now 28-12, and they have now defended their title five times.

Arkansas's record in UCFC games drops to 24-14-2.

Arkansas 17 - 7 Alabama (Halftime)

Greg McElroy will go down as one of the legends of Alabama football, because he quarterbacked the team to the 2009 national title. But he will not go into the NFL, which is where Ryan Mallett -- the Arkansas quarterback -- is heading.

This half has demonstrated -- quite vividly -- the gap between NFL talent and really good college-level talent. Alabama has a better team than Arkansas. But Arkansas has Mallett and Alabama has McElroy. Mallett is 15 of 22 for 250 yards, a passing TD and a rushing TD (he just scored on a QB sneak). McElroy is 9 of 13 for 92 yards with two huge interceptions.

Because of a prior commitment, I will not be able to live-blog the second half -- I'll write up a final report later this evening. But this was the best half of football I've seen all year.

By the way, if Arkansas wins this game, the next UCFC game will take place in two weeks in Cowboys Stadium when the Razorbacks take on Texas A&M.

Arkansas 10 - 7 Alabama (18 seconds left in 2d quarter)

Alabama stopped Arkansas, and was driving when the Tide quarterback threw another interception, this time giving the Razorbacks the ball at their 34. Arkansas has roared down the field, and now has it 1st and goal on the 1.

Arkansas 10 - 7 Alabama (5:50 left in 2d Quarter)

Right back at you. Alabama drives the length of the field, has the ball 3d and goal at the 5 -- and throws an interception. This is not looking great for the Tide.

Arkansas 10 - 7 Alabama (11:32 left in 2d Quarter)

A huge play. After stopping Alabama, Arkansas took over at its own 20-yard-line and zipped down to the Alabama 7 on two long passes. But on 3d and goal at the six, Alabama picked up a huge, huge interception. So the Tide will start at their own 20, still down by only 3 points.

Arkansas 10 - 7 Alabama (1:42 left in 1st Quarter)

Arkansas responds with a very hard-fought drive that peters out at the Alabama 15, and the Razorbacks kick an easy field goal to re-take the lead. That was a huge possession by Arkansas.