Saban’s first year was a struggle (Alabama even lost to Louisiana-Monroe) but it was clear he had the program back on the right track. In Year 2, the Tide ripped off 12 straight regular-season wins before Florida ruined their title hopes, rallying for a 31-20 victory in the SEC title game.

Turns out, Saban’s team was just putting it off a year. With that SEC loss on everyone’s mind every step of the way, Alabama went 12-0 in the regular season again, and this time not even Tebow and the mighty Gators could stem the Tide.

“Everything we did all year long was to beat them, to be better than them,” Ingram said.

As the new SEC champions celebrated, “Sweet Home Alabama” blared over the speakers at the Georgia Dome.

“Roll, Tide, roll!” the fans cheered along.

Florida was short-handed for a rematch that has seemed preordained from the very first practice of the season. Carlos Dunlap, the team’s best pass rusher, couldn’t play after being arrested on drunken-driving charges Tuesday. Another key player, receiver-returner Brandon James, was hobbled in the second half and couldn’t return.

At end of third quarter, Alabama celebrated with its crimson-clad fans, while Tebow called all of his teammates around him at the 40-yard line, exhorting them to pull off another fourth-period comeback. That’s what the Gators did a year ago, scoring two TDs in the final 15 minutes to overcome the Tide.

Not this time.

The Tide held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and piled up 490 yards against a defense that was ranked No. 1 in the country, allowing less than 10 points and about 233 yards per game.

Ingram’s performance was no surprise, even though he was coming off a dismal 30-yard effort against Auburn and went out late in that game with a hip pointer. He passed Bobby Humphrey for the school rushing record in a season (1,542 yards) and augmented his performance with a 69-yard reception on a screen pass.

McElroy, a third-year junior, had gone through some ups and downs in his first season as a starter. But he was nearly flawless against Florida, with his legs as well as his arm. He hopped on one leg along the sideline to pick up a crucial first down, and he set up Ingram’s final touchdown with a bobbing, weaving run to just short of the end zone.

“If you want to be a champion, you have to have a team of champions,” McElroy said. “This team came out and proved itself a champion.”

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: SEC's Slive no fan of plus-one playoff model

Headlines

• Label

Sandusky charity to shut down, transfer programs

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over

CFT: Notre Dame AD expects to be at playoff table

Judge refuses to delay Sandusky's trial