The No. 11 Florida Gators exude confidence entering this week's SEC opener against No. 1 Alabama. The Gators has opened its season by defeating FAU and South Florida in the first two weeks 35-14 and 42-20. It will be the first time the sides have met since Alabama knocked off Florida in the 2020 SEC Championship Game.

Alabama is currently on a seven game winning streak over the Florida Gators a run that includes four SEC Championship games. Nick Saban has not lost to an SEC East opponent since dropping a game to South Carolina in 2010 but outside linebacker Brenton Cox says the Gators are ready for gameday.

"This kind of a challenge? Ya we're ready. Of course we're ready. The big question is, 'are they ready?'," said Cox.

Cox a former 5-star recruit from Stockbridge, Ga. originally went to Georgia before transferring to Gainesville. In 25 college games for the Bulldogs and Gators he's tallied 64 tackles with 12 for a loss. He's also accumulated 4.5 sacks with five defended passes and one fumble recovery.

"I've played Bama going on three or four years now, each year I've lost to them so every year is different. This year, hopefully we can get over the hump." said Cox.

In 2018, while playing for Georgia in the SEC Championship, Cox recorded two tackles and a half tackle for loss. In 2020, while playing for Florida in the SEC Championship, he recorded two tackles and a pass defense.

"It's always personal, each game is personal, no matter who it is."

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Florida is tied for 14th in the nation with eight sacks through their two games and their front has fourteen tackles for a loss as well. Alabama has given up three sacks through two games, despite having to replace three players from last year's offensive line.

No. 1 Alabama kicks off against No. 11 Florida on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS and can be heard right here on Tide100.9 with gameday coverage beginning at 9:30 a.m. CT.

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