COL FB: Florida 31, Alabama 20

ATLANTA, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Tim Tebow threw three touchdown passes Saturday, guiding fourth-ranked Florida to a 31-20 win over top-ranked Alabama and the SEC title.

Tebow led two fourth-quarter scoring drives to overcome a three-point deficit and into an expected berth in the national championship game.

Florida's (12-1) bid to play in the Bowl Championship Series title game depended on the Gators beating the Crimson Tide. The Texas Longhorns (11-1), ranked third in the BCS, are idle while Oklahoma (11-1), No. 2 in the BCS, was to play Missouri later Saturday for the Big 12 championship.

Jeffrey Demps ran for a Florida TD, and Riley Cooper, Carl Moore and David Nelson each caught a Tebow touchdown pass for the Gators, who won the national championship just two years ago.

The Gators had nine straight victories since being upset by Ole Miss in late September.

Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram each scored rushing touchdowns for Alabama (12-1).