FOOTBALL: And another thing

I tried to watch Florida last night and envision Mississippi State running the same plays.

Certainly, that’s what the Starkville folks are hoping by hiring Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen as head coach.

I think State will have some Florida elements next year, but so much of what Florida did this year was related directly to having Tim Tebow at quarterback.

Tebow’s running, lowering the shoulder for the extra yard, made the difference in the second half. Having Percy Harvin along for the ride didn’t hurt either. Finally Tebow’s jump pass for the touchdown clinched it. That play was well-guarded by the Oklahoma defensive back, and Tebow, after leaping, fired a strike.

Tebow is a special athlete that doesn’t come along in every recruiting class. That’s why State’s offense will have elements of Florida next year, but it will be hard to have the full deal.

I’d look for more plays from the MSU tight end next year. Lots of quarterbacks can take a shotgun snap, go with the motion to the right, and flip the shovel pass to the tight end going the other way.

– PA