Even though Alabama defeated Arkansas last Friday, the Crimson Tide dropped in the latest rankings. Its most recent 196.7 brought its average to a 196.371, good for ninth in the nation. Last week, Alabama was eighth.
Oklahoma (197.813) remains on top, followed by Florida (197.67) and UCLA (197.575) in order. Utah is fourth with a 197.196. LSU is fifth with a 196.85.
Michigan (196.383) bumped Alabama, jumping from No. 10 to No. 8.
All of the teams above the Crimson Tide have scored a 197 or better at least once this season. There are now 11 teams that have done so overall. Alabama’s season high is a 196.9, and that was posted four weeks ago.
On Friday, Alabama will host its highest-ranked opponent so far this season, Florida. Last weekend, however, was a reminder that anything can happen on any given night. Then-No. 5 LSU lost to then-No. 17 Kentucky on the road. The Wildcats had a season-high 197.15 after averaging a 195.8, while the Tigers had a season low 196.025 after averaging a 197.015.
“Anybody can be off, and anybody can be on,” Alabama coach Dana Duckworth said Monday. “I always tell people: When you’re in the SEC, you cannot have a bad night because everybody is good in the SEC and everybody is getting better. I’m excited to be on the same playing field as Florida on Friday night, and I think the energy is going to be great and I think we’re going to battle like champions.”
The meet, which will start at 7:30 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum and air live on SEC Network, is going to double as the Crimson Tide’s annual Power of Pink showdown.
Alabama is ranked sixth on vault (49.163), seventh on the floor exercise (49.208) and 10th on the uneven bars (49.163). It’s then 19th on the balance beam (48.838).
Florida is first on bars (49.535) and floor (49.545). It’s then second on beam (49.45) and seventh on vault (49.14). The Gators’ season high is a 198.025, making them one of two teams nationally to crack 198.
