Tuscaloosa, AL (U-WIRE) -- When the Crimson Tide opens its SEC season Friday night, it will be doing it against a Florida Gator team that in recent years has become a bitter rival.

Florida is 9-0 all time against the Tide, and despite its one-sided nature, the series has only gotten more intense over time, culminating in a 1-0 regular season match last season won by the Gators in the final 20 seconds of play.

"We're not scared of them," said senior Leigh Alexander. "If anything, we're more determined because we know this is our best chance yet of beating them. The past is the past, and we're going to give it our all this time."

Adding more fuel to the fire of this already heated matchup, Florida head coach Becky Burleigh commented earlier this week at a press conference on Alabama's lack of preparedness because of what she called a weak nonconference schedule.

Alabama head coach Don Staley said he thinks Burleigh's comments were baseless but thinks he can use them to motivate his team.

"I appreciate her giving us bulletin board material, but talking about it and doing something about it are two different things, so we'll see what happens on the field," Staley said.

The Tide enters the game with the second-ranked offense in the nation with 35 goals, just three fewer than it scored all of last season.

Among the reasons for the Tide's offensive success has been the production of senior Libby Probst, whose record-breaking weekend against Nicholls State and Mercer earned her National Player of the Week honors from Soccer America Magazine.

Probst's fellow forwards, sophomore Jordan O'Banion and senior Kylie Boyd, have been equally integral parts of the Tide's dominating offense so far.

"Last year, we started to get a feel for each other, and this year everything seems to finally be clicking," Boyd said.

The Tide is also working on improving its weaknesses, especially a defense that has struggled after the loss of starter Emily Pitek to a season-ending injury.

"It has certainly affected us, but we've got to move on, and that starts with communicating more effectively," said Staley. "We're 6-1, but we've got a lot of things that need tightening up if we want to compete in the SEC."

There has also been some concern regarding the goalkeeper position, which is up for competition between two freshmen, Kara Gudmens and Karen Lansden. Both players, however, have seen significant time on the field and have allowed only five goals while the Tide has scored 35.

"We're really confident in both our goalkeepers. We know they can get the job done," Alexander said.

Despite defensive concerns, the Tide heads into Gainesville as optimistic as ever and confident that they have a chance at pulling off the upset.

"In the past, I've felt intimidated going to Gainesville, but this year I really think we have a team that can make things happen," Boyd said. "I don't think anyone's intimidated."

The Tide and the Gators face off in Gainesville Friday night at 7 before traveling to South Carolina to visit the Gamecocks Sunday at 1 p.m.

(C) 2004 The Crimson White via U-WIRE