Dan Mullen on Alabama: “Hope we play them very soon”

Florida coach Dan Mullen said after Saturday’s 31-29 loss to Alabama there was another opportunity to play against Tide this season.

“It’s been 10 years since we had this game in The Swamp,” Mullen said. “As I talked about it, I hope we will play them more often. To be honest with you, I hope we play them very soon, like later this season. I want this opportunity.

Mullen told the SEC media days in July and again last week that he wanted the SEC’s rotation of schedules to allow for more frequent meetings between cross-division rivals Alabama and Florida.

Saturday’s game was the first time they had met at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium since 2011, and the first time a No.1-ranked opponent had visited The Swamp since 2002. The fifth largest crowd in history of the place reacted. as a result, propelling a 21-3 Florida comeback that occurred in Alabama’s failed two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

The 31-29 final was narrower than last season’s SEC Championship, when Alabama held off the Gators, 52-46, in Atlanta.

“Like everyone said last year, what’s the margin? Mullen said after Saturday’s game. “Last year it was six points, this year it was two. I hope we have one more chance and have the opportunity to compete for another championship as we move forward.

“This is where we want to be as a program. This is how our guys prepare and we expect them to be on the pitch.

Mullen, a former Mississippi State coach, fell to 0-11 against Saban, while Alabama improved their winning streak against their SEC East opponents to 32 games.

“One thing is a lot of teams play in Alabama and sometimes don’t think they’re going to win the game, maybe,” Mullen said. “Our guys certainly expected to win the game. Played that way.

“Where we’re heading as a program – I talked about that when I got here, I want a team that can compete for the championships consistently. To compete for the championships, you’re going to have to beat Alabama.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on twitter @mikerodak.