MIAMI — You asked for it, America. You got it. Now pity the poor coaches trying to win it.
In the 11 years of the Bowl Championship Series title game, there have been terrific matchups. Texas’ last-minute win over Southern California in a battle of unbeatens three years ago remains the event’s Hope Diamond. But no game has matched the sheer confrontational explosiveness as in tonight’s battle between Oklahoma’s offense versus Florida’s defense.
For a month, the game’s story line has been drilled into the nation’s consciousness like the script of a new blockbuster movie. For a month, both teams have schemed to solve all the problems each other creates.
All Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong must do is slow an offense averaging 54 points per game, one directed by the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner playing behind perhaps the best offensive line in the college game.
Hardly anyone gets close to Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, a major reason he threw but six interceptions in 442 attempts and the Sooners led the nation in turnover margin (plus-1.77 per game).
Then again, if you’re a believer that Big 12 defenses couldn’t stop a Theta Chi B team, Florida could be the perfect anecdote. Just behind Oklahoma in turnover margin are the Gators (plus-1.69), on the strength of a nation-leading 24 interceptions.
Florida is the fastest team in the country, and Bradford, a sophomore, has never faced a defense with this kind of speed.
“Causing the turnover is putting the pressure on, not making him feel comfortable in the pocket and that’s what we have to do a great job of,” junior linebacker Ryan Stamper said. “Bradford is a great quarterback and we’ve got to bring pressure and give different looks when we’re not blitzing.”
Complicating things for Florida is a no-huddle offense OU runs that has left defenses gasping for oxygen. Florida’s offense averages 61 1/2 plays a game. Oklahoma averages 80.
“It’s hard to really practice, just to simulate getting those plays in,” Strong said. “But we’ve been trying to just practice at a fast tempo, and we’re getting guys up on the football. We know this: We play good defense, and we just have to get lined up.”
Oklahoma has not scored fewer than 50 points since the leaves changed colors. No team has held it under 35. However, this is Bradford’s first game as a Heisman Trophy winner, and Heisman winners seem to play in bowls like they have a bounty on their heads.
Heisman winners have lost six of their last eight bowl games, including Oklahoma’s own Jason White, whom Louisiana State battered into two interceptions and only 102 yards passing in the Tigers’ 21-14 BCS title win five years ago. Even Tim Tebow took last season’s Heisman and couldn’t lift Florida in the Gator Bowl, in which the Gators lost to a heavy underdog, Michigan, 41-35.
Why would this year be different? Maybe because Bradford is different.
“With the emergence and the cool and calm nature of Sam and having a year of experience and the way he handled everything a year ago, I felt he would handle it really well,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “The experience of our offensive personnel, I felt, was a positive.”
Whether he can solve Florida’s defense is another matter. This isn’t the same star-spangled unit that buried Ohio State two years ago in this game. However, it’s much better than what Florida had last season, which Gators coach Urban Meyer said “was just not very tough.”
This one, he said, “is one of the toughest teams I’ve been around.” It’s seventh in total defense (279.3 yards allowed per game), and fourth in scoring defense (12.8 points).
“We had a lot of younger guys just step up to the plate,” Gators junior linebacker Brandon Spikes said. “They made a personal decision, and they wanted to come out and play Florida tradition defense.”
The Gators are also healing. Meyer said scatback Percy Harvin, their most explosive player, will “be close to full speed” from his ankle sprain. Offensive tackle Carl Johnson, receiver Louis Murphy and running back Kestahn Moore, all injured in the SEC championship game against Alabama, will be healthy.
“If we had to play this game any earlier than Jan. 8,” Meyer said, “I don’t think we would’ve had a chance to win.”
The Gators have gone from 1 1/2-point favorites to 4 1/2. Regardless of who’s favored, odds are this will be a classic.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Five things to watch
1. No huddle, no break. Florida spent a month working against the same no-huddle offense that exasperated
and exhausted Oklahoma opponents. If you see Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong wildly yelling and waving
his arms as the ball is snapped, you’ll know the Gators are in trouble.
2. Field position. Florida puts a lot of starters on its kick- coverage teams, and it has paid off. The best
way to neutralize Oklahoma’s 54-points-per-game offense is to make it drive farther. The Gators want to pin
quarterback Sam Bradford as deep in his territory as possible.
3. Florida pressure. Oklahoma’s offensive line is terrific but hasn’t faced the kind of speed on the edge
that it will tonight. West Virginia gave it lots of problems last year and rattled Bradford into a mediocre game. See
if Florida sacks Bradford, hurries him or hits him in the first quarter. Then see how effective he becomes.
4. Oklahoma secondary. The Sooners’ biggest weakness is pass defense, or was it the Big 12’s great
quarterbacks? Florida’s Tim Tebow is experienced, accurate and tough — and he has the nation’s fastest receivers
at his disposal. If he gets time, it could be a long night for Oklahoma.
5. Home sweet home? Gainesville, Fla., is 340 miles from Miami and could make Dolphin Stadium sound like
Florida Field. Yet it may not. Three years ago when Southern California played Texas in Pasadena, Calif., the Rose
Bowl was evenly split between USC cardinal and Texas burnt orange.
Oklahoma-Florida matchup
When Oklahoma runs the ball: Chris Brown, with 1,110 yards and 20 touchdowns, is OU’s leading rusher. But
DeMarco Murray, with 1,002 and 14, is its best back but is out with a torn hamstring. Brown can carry more of the load
and sophomore Mossis Madu is talented, although hasn’t been tested at this level. Florida is 15th nationally in rush
defense, but Alabama’s Glen Coffee gained 112 yards on a 5.3 average, mostly up the middle. Advantage: Florida.
When Oklahoma passes the ball: Florida coach Urban Meyer has never faced a quarterback as prolific as
Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. He led the nation in pass efficiency with 4,464 yards on 68.3 percent passing with
48 TDs and six interceptions. Juaquin Iglesias is lighting up NFL war rooms with 69 catches for 1,092 yards. Florida
has the nation’s second-best pass defense, with safety Ahmad Black nabbing six interceptions. Expect plenty of blitzes
early. Advantage: Oklahoma.
When Florida runs the ball: The Gators’ running game by committee is plenty effective. They’re 11th
nationally at 229.8 yards per game, yet no one has gained 700. Chris Rainey leads with 655, and quarterback Tim Tebow
has rushed for 12 touchdowns. Percy Harvin, who’s healing, averages 8.8 yards per carry and Jeffery Demps averages
8.4. Oklahoma gives up barely 100 yards on the ground a game but mostly because opponents can’t make up 40-point
deficits by running the ball. Advantage: Florida.
When Florida passes the ball: Tebow nearly defended his 2007 Heisman Trophy for a reason. He was third
nationally in pass efficiency, throwing for 2,515 yards on 65 percent passing with 28 TDs and only two interceptions.
He could outfit a flag-football team with all his receivers. Nine have caught at least 10 passes, with Louis Murphy
and Harvin averaging 17 yards per catch. Oklahoma’s secondary is 43rd nationally, but it does play in the Big 12 — if Florida cares. Advantage: Florida.
John Henderson, The Denver Post
