Florida Football: 3 takeaways from hard-fought loss to Alabama in Week 3

Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Malik Davis (20) runs past Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (2) for a touchdown during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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Florida Gators played their first SEC game against Alabama at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday afternoon, September 18, 2021, in Gainesville, FL. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]2021Flgai 091821 Flvsalabama /

1. Florida is better than anyone thought

Down Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts, Kadarius Toney, and some key defenders from a year ago, no one gave Florida a chance to make any noise in the SEC this season. The Gators were given next to no chance to beat Alabama on Saturday afternoon despite being at home.

After a 21-3 advantage in the first quarter for Alabama, it looked like everyone was right. Florida may be decent, but Alabama is on a different level completely.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter and that just wasn’t the case. Florida’s defense clamped down after that first quarter and held Alabama to just 10 points the rest of the way and the Gators pulled within two. If not for a missed extra point earlier in the game, the Gators would have been able to tie it up, but they had to go for two and didn’t convert.

The Gators were a missed extra point away from taking Alabama to overtime and potentially pulling off the upset. Think about that for a second.

Let’s start giving the Gators the respect they deserve.

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