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College Football - The BCS National Title Game - Live Thread
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Posted on 01/03/2007 3:06:17 PM PST by MikefromOhio

THE BCS NATIONAL TITLE GAME

vs.

Florida vs Ohio State (-7)

The BCS National Title game is being played in Glendale, Arizona and features the BCS #1 team and Big Ten conference champion Ohio State Buckeyes vs. the BCS #2 and SEC Conference champion Florida Gators.

Being that this is the National Title game as we know it, I’ll break it down by groups. Feel free to disagree if you like, but I’ll do my level best to keep it even here.

Ohio State’s offensive line vs. Florida’s defensive line:


This is one of 3 critical match-ups in the game. The Ohio State offensive line is probably one of the best at the school in a decade. The Florida defensive line is renowned for stopping the run, but sometimes struggles to generate a pass rush. This is key as Troy Smith has proven that if, given time to throw, he will be able to connect. The key here is can Florida get a pass rush up the field and whether or not Ohio State can run the ball.

Advantage: Even

Ohio State Backs and Receivers vs. Florida’s back seven


Not quite as key as the previous group. Ohio State can throw the ball on just about anyone and this will be the best passing game Florida has faced all year long. We will find out if Florida can cover 4 wide receivers as this is one of Ohio State’s base sets. On the flip side, while Michigan may be statistically the best rush defense, Florida has the better linebackers. Another key assignment for this back 7 of Florida is the containment of a running QB. Troy Smith has made it a point of emphasis that he is NOT a running Quarterback anymore, but I am of the opinion that he can and will make it a point to run at least 3 times in the first couple series of the game.

Advantage: Slight advantage to Ohio State

Special Teams: Ohio State vs. Florida


This part of the match up favors Ohio State by a rather large margin, especially in the kicking game. Ohio State has one of the most dangerous return games in the nation, with Ted Ginn returning both punts and kicks. Florida’s FG kicking has been atrocious all year long. If this can even out, the game will be much closer. If one side or the other can turn this part of the game into an advantage, then so much the better for their team.

Advantage: Ohio State

Florida’s Offensive Line vs. Ohio State’s Defensive Line


This is another part of the game that should favor Ohio State, but not by very much. If Ohio State is able to generate a pass rush on Chris Leak, this will force him to make throws under pressure, something he sometimes has issue with. Another thing that is key in this game, Ohio State must get off the blocks of the Florida offensive line to be effective in the run game. If the Florida offensive line is able to contain the Ohio State defensive line, then the Ohio State linebackers will need to come up and make plays, opening them up to reverses, end-arounds and the pass.

Advantage: Ohio State by a slim margin

Florida’s backs and receivers vs. Ohio State’s Defensive back seven


Ohio State’s defense has forced some key turnovers all year long. Florida is one of the few teams in college football that matches up well in terms of personnel. I think Florida has enough talent and speed to keep this one interesting. It comes down to what I’ve described above, the Ohio State defensive line and if Chris Leak can make the throws to his players so they can make plays. If Chris Leak gets time, Florida should be just fine here.

Advantage: Florida

The Quarterbacks: Chris Leak vs. Troy Smith


Troy Smith won the Heisman Trophy. Chris Leak led his team through arguably the toughest conference in the nation this year. Both are good QBs in their own right, but Troy Smith has the offense built around his skills while Chris Leak is a bit of a square peg in a round hole for the Urban Meyer offense. The Florida offense is geared more towards Tim Tebow, who is the wild card here, than someone of Chris Leak’s skill set. Leak might be more accurate on the hole, but Troy Smith has more depth to throw too. If Troy Smith is able to take over this game, it might be a long night for Florida.

Advantage: Ohio State

The Coaches: Jim Tressel vs. Urban Meyer


Some will say that Urban Meyer is playing with Ron Zook’s players, but given the nature of college football, that isn’t a fair analysis. Zook wasn’t able to win the SEC with these players, but Meyer did it in year 2. That should speak volumes. Oddly enough, Jim Tressel won a national title in his 2nd year at Ohio State with John Cooper’s players. Jim Tressel is 2nd only to Pete Carroll when it comes to big games. This will be a big test for Urban Meyer who is no stranger to the BCS himself (UTAH). There is a slight advantage here for Ohio State, being that it’s in Arizona (they’ve won 3 of the last 4 Fiesta Bowls, the other being the year Utah smoked Pitt), they expected to be here as early as last year. Meyer gets to play the “everyone is against us” card.

Advantage: Slight advantage to Ohio State

The Crowd


They don’t (or at least shouldn’t) take the field, but the crowd can be a factor in the game. In the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State got their fans to pack that stadium, while Miami fans were pretty scarce except in a few sections. One thing I have an issue with, Ohio State fans had a full 2 weeks to get tickets before Florida had even qualified for the BCS National Title game. Expect a majority Ohio State crowd, but Florida will represent better than Miami did in 2002.

Final Analysis


This could be a very good game. Or then again it might be a very lopsided game. I personally think that it will be close. Florida has played in hostile environs all year long in the SEC and no other conference can fully duplicate that. To win this game, Florida will need to score at least 30 points while holding down the Ohio State offense. For Ohio State, it’s about establishing their rhythm again and being the juggernaut that averaged 40 points a game their final 5 games of the year. Another thing Florida has, if you believe in streaks, is that Ohio State is 0-7 all-time against the SEC in bowl games and Troy Smith won the Heisman. Most Heisman Winning Quarterbacks have bad bowl games after getting the trophy.

For the fun of it, I have simulated this game on my PS2 using NCAA 2007 made by EA Sports. I’ve played both sides and I’ve let the computer play it as well. Kind of fun to speculate about, but each time the team that won the turnover battle won the game. Ohio State won it two times and Florida won it once. In real life, the turnover battle is important to the outcome as well. IF Chris Leak is able to avoid the bad throws, Florida has a real shot. If he throws a pick or two, Florida is in deep trouble.

My prediction: Ohio State 34 – Florida 27


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: chompemgators; collegefootball; floridagators; football; gatorbait; gators; gogators; gooooooogators; ohiostatebuckeyes; secfootball; tastybuckeyes; whoohoogogators
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To: daybreakcoming

I think there are two things going on. Ohio State hasn't played in forever, and I suspect they've been reading their press clippings. I don't think Florida is that much better than OSU, but they jumped on them early and hard.


941 posted on 01/08/2007 8:16:22 PM PST by Richard Kimball
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To: commish

Second PLayer had his foot in the endzone when he tipped the ball.


942 posted on 01/08/2007 8:17:21 PM PST by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: commish

Here's hoping that he'll do well at IL. Guy deserves some kudos.


943 posted on 01/08/2007 8:17:24 PM PST by indcons (Go Gators)
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To: Richard Kimball

--I don't think Florida is that much better than OSU, but they jumped on them early and hard.--

Excuses, Excuses.


944 posted on 01/08/2007 8:17:46 PM PST by UpAllNight
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To: commish

It broke the plane.


945 posted on 01/08/2007 8:17:49 PM PST by doug from upland (Stopping Hillary should be a FreeRepublic Manhattan Project)
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To: UpAllNight

There is the picture of the game -- Ted Ginn on the sideline on Crutches.


946 posted on 01/08/2007 8:18:33 PM PST by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: Richard Kimball

OSU doesn't play in a real conference. This time, they are learning the hard way what SEC football is all about.


947 posted on 01/08/2007 8:18:36 PM PST by indcons (Go Gators)
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To: dfwgator

We are the boys from old Florida,

F-L-O-R-I-D-A,

Where the girls are the fairest,

The boys are the squarest of any old state down our way.

We are all strong for old Florida,

Down where the old Gators play,

In all kinds of weather

We'll all stick together for

F-L-O-R-I-D-A.


948 posted on 01/08/2007 8:18:49 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: doug from upland

End of Q3.


949 posted on 01/08/2007 8:18:55 PM PST by UpAllNight
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To: dfwgator

CONGRATS, Gator

Cheers,
indcons (An Auburn Tiger)


950 posted on 01/08/2007 8:19:39 PM PST by indcons (Go Gators)
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To: indcons

--OSU doesn't play in a real conference. This time, they are learning the hard way what SEC football is all about.--

I wonder what OSU's record is againt the SEC? :)


951 posted on 01/08/2007 8:19:43 PM PST by UpAllNight
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To: UpAllNight

B-b-but Ohio had a like a six week layoff and was rusty....


952 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:05 PM PST by Eagle Eye (I'm a RINO because I'm too conservative to be a real Republican.)
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To: UpAllNight

Three touchdowns in a quarter? Has OSU done that this year? Has Florida allowed it?


953 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:09 PM PST by doug from upland (Stopping Hillary should be a FreeRepublic Manhattan Project)
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To: indcons

There's no question that Zook can recruit. Problem is, he can't do anything with his guys once they report to practice. And he has no clue about how to instill or enforce discipline - that was the biggest thing that turned Florida fans and boosters against him.


954 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:10 PM PST by CFC__VRWC (AIDS, abortion, euthanasia - Don't liberals just kill ya?)
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To: UpAllNight

Ohio State: 88 yards total offense after three quarters. My!


955 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:14 PM PST by JCEccles
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To: Richard Kimball

"they jumped on them early and hard"

More like spotting them a touchdown...


956 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:30 PM PST by gcruse (http://garycruse.blogspot.com/)
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To: dfwgator

As much as it kills me to give Florida kudo's - it will be nice to have the National Championship back in the SEC again. 15 minutes to go.


957 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:31 PM PST by commish (Freedom tastes sweetest to those who have fought to protect it.)
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To: UpAllNight

I heard it earlier. OSU has never beat an SEC team.


958 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:45 PM PST by tutstar (Baptist Ping list - freepmail me to get on or off.)
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To: FLOutdoorsman

Was that Ginn on crutches? Did he break his foot?


959 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:46 PM PST by Jrabbit
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To: dfwgator

Yep, so far its been your night to shake your fanny....Go Gators!(from a Vol Grad UTK '83)


960 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:55 PM PST by vetvetdoug
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