ATLANTA — For 15 wonderful minutes, Alabama had it rolling.

ATLANTA — Saturday was still a day for diplomacy among those involved in the BCS bowls.

Alabama tried to pull a surprise against Florida on the first series of the second quarter, but the Gators turned back the attempt.

ATLANTA — A brief scuffle broke out between linemen of both teams on the final play of the game.

ATLANTA — After taking Alabama’s best shot in the third quarter, No. 2 Florida responded like a champion.

Showing it could win a close game in a season of routs, Florida (12-1) went into the fourth quarter trailing 20-17. But Jeff Demps, helping fill in for injured Percy Harvin, scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run with 9:21 remaining.

ATLANTA — Florida coach Urban Meyer dismisses talk that it’s a game featuring contrasting styles.

ATLANTA — Florida coach Urban Meyer said it won’t take long to get a feel for the way the SEC Championship Game is going to unfold.

ATLANTA — It’s the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting in Southeastern Conference football history — but it’s not expected to be close.

Top-ranked Alabama’s transition from a 13-13 also-ran the past two seasons to this year’s 12-0 run has been a change that arrived faster than nearly everyone anticipated.

TUSCALOOSA — Get out front. Stay out front.

Alabama battes Florida for the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. The game is 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. It airs on CBS.

TUSCALOOSA — The numbers are dizzying — and distracting.

TUSCALOOSA — There are certainly contrasting styles between Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, but the two head coaches in the SEC Championship Game share a close friend in their profession.

TUSCALOOSA — Top-ranked Alabama remained unbeaten after a 36-point win over Auburn Saturday.