TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - When the No. 5 Alabama Gymnastics team hosts No. 3 Florida on Friday, it will be the fourth time this month alone that the Crimson Tide has gone against a top-10 team and the third top-5 opponent during the same span.

"I have said all along that this schedule was going to challenge us," head coach Sarah Patterson said. "We're excited to take on the Florida Gators one of the nation's best teams. The Gators have posted the nation's top score this season and are the defending SEC Champions. It should be another great meet."

The Gators 2007 Southeastern Conference championship was its first since 1989. They posted the nation's highest score two weeks ago at home against LSU with a 197.925. In addition, they have been, like the Tide, ranked in the top-5 all season.

Both teams come into the meet sporting just one loss, both having fallen to the three-time defending NCAA Champion and current No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs. Both teams have also posted wins against Auburn, Arkansas, Kentucky and LSU this season.

For Alabama, the meet against the Gators is its first meet in Coleman Coliseum in two weeks following a weekend off from competition and last weekend's road win at LSU. The Tide is expecting another great crowd in a season that has already seen back-to-back sellouts and a season average of 13,761 fans per meet.

And like all the meets this season, there will be tons of giveaways and promotions throughout the meet including a semester's free tuition for one lucky UA student. Through the Tide's first three home meets, 18 students have already been drawn for the Tuscaloosa Toyota Student Sweepstakes. Friday night six more will be drawn and from the resulting 24, one lucky student will win a semester's worth of in-state.

Other giveaways include tickets to the movies, the Birmingham Barons, gift certificates to area restaurants and a year's worth of donuts from Krispy Kremes (a dozen a week for 52 weeks). Another fan will also win the Tuscaloosa Toyota Best Seat in the House, which in addition to allowing the winner to sit just off the floor mat for the final rotation, will see that person walk away with a 42 inch plasma television.

Tickets to Friday's meet are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum and online at RollTide.com.

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