BCS title game: Can the Gators do it?

By Robert Rousseau  |   Friday, January 05, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

College Football
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Game: Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) vs. Florida Gators (12-1).

Venue: Tostitos BCS national championship game (Glendale, Ariz.).

Date: Jan. 8, 2007 at 8 p.m.

Payout: $17 million.

Well, a big lead in isn't required here. We all know what's on the line and the story behind it. Regardless of which side you're on, it appears the Florida Gators got into this game for two reasons: First, there is a feeling that Florida's SEC is a tougher conference to play in than Michigan's Big Ten. Second, many people either didn't want to see a rematch between the Wolverines and Buckeyes or believe that a team must win its conference to play for a national title.

That said, let's start by breaking these two superpower teams -- Florida and Ohio State -- down.

Ohio State

Offense:

Led by the best offensive player in the land, quarterback Troy Smith, this is one of the better units you'll see. Smith's 167.9 passer rating and possession of the 2006 Heisman Trophy are only a small part of the equation. Simply put, he's the guy you want leading your offense when crunch time hits.

Still, it doesn't hurt having Ted Ginn Jr. to throw to. Oh yeah, and big-play receiver Anthony Gonzalez isn't bad either (42 of his 49 receptions have been for first downs).

Antonio Pittman (1,171 yards rushing), perhaps their most underrated player on offense, can jam it down your throat behind a solid offensive line led by All-Big 10 performers Doug Datish (center) and T.J. Downing (guard). Tackle Kirk Barton is an unsung player who tends to be the guy they run behind when a tough yard is needed.

Defense:

This was supposed to be a weakness for this team coming in, but it certainly hasn't been. The Buckeyes have the 13th-ranked defense in the land and are led by All-Americans James Laurinaitis (linebacker) and Quinn Pitcock (defensive tackle). Beyond that, they also have a stellar group of All-Big 10 corners in Malcolm Jenkins and Antonio Smith (though an injury may force Smith out of the game).

So, in other words, they're represented quite well at every stage of the defense.

Florida

Offense:

Chris Leak seems to have finally gotten the proverbial monkey off his back by leading the Gators to this game. He had a good year in 2006 with 2,729 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. The problem with Leak is that he has, at times, been prone to mistakes, as his 13 interceptions would seem to suggest. Still, he has come through in situations where the team needed him most.

The Gators have a lot of talent at the receiver position. Head coach Urban Meyer and Leak have done a good job of sharing the wealth among the talent with Dallas Baker (897 yards receiving), Andre Caldwell (571) and Jemalle Cornelius (473) all breaking the 400-yard barrier. Beyond that, freshman wideout Percy Harvin has come on late and displays the kind of big-play potential that Ohio State's Ginn is famous for.

DeShawn Wynn is a solid running back who could do more if given the chance. Further, the offensive line came through better than expected this season -- considering a slew of injuries with three players making either the first or second teams of the 2006 All-Southeastern Conference Coaches' Team (Steve Rissler, Phil Trautwein and Drew Miller).

Defense:

This unit is the strength of the team and is led by All-American safety Reggie Nelson. An argument can be made that Nelson has been to big plays on the Florida defense what Troy Smith has been to the Buckeyes on offense. Ryan Smith (a second-team All-American in some circles) is also a good one.

With that said, the front seven is where the Gators are loaded. Ray McDonald (tackle), Earl Everett (linebacker), Derrick Harvey (end) and Brandon Siler (linebacker) all made either the first or second 2006 All-Southeastern Conference Coaches' Team. And that's not even mentioning Jarvis Moss, an end whose potential seems practically limitless.

Final Outcome

OK, here are a few facts: Florida has a great defense. In fact, the Gators' overall team speed on that side of the ball could surprise the Buckeyes. That said, Reggie Nelson is an outstanding player; it will be a pleasure watching him try to one up the best player in the land, Smith.

Smith has just been great this season and will likely continue to be against the Gators, even if he will find their defense to be the stiffest challenge of his career.

On the other side of things, the Gators have the kind of talent on offense that will expose a strong, rather overrated defense from Ohio.

Still, Florida has been a mistake-prone group this season (penalties and turnovers). If the Gators continue this trend in the BCS title game, there can only be one outcome -- an Ohio State victory.

Thus, one has to figure that the Florida penalties, turnovers and small lapses will continue; after all, that's been the season-long trend. If so, the Gators will not be able to overcome the top-ranked team in the land. At the same time, though, a Florida win is not nearly as outlandish as many are making it out to be.

And if the Gators manage to avoid their abovementioned problems, this is going to be a close game.

Ohio State 27, Florida 21.
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or...
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