The Ultimate Gators-Sooners preview
January 7th, 2009 ║ Posted By: MrSEC.com ║ Permalink
Content provided by Swamp Things – Gators Blog.
In 600 words or less, or course, here are the goods — a scouting report plus ticket information and things to watch for as the big game approaches.
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Florida – Bowl Championship Series National Championship game
Kickoff: 8 p.m., Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens
Broadcasts: TV – Fox; Radio – 540 AM (WFLF).
Spread: Florida by 3 1/2
Weather: High of 73, low of 59, 10 percent chance of rain (mostly clear
Tickets: Tickets are still available, but the prices are soaring. Scoring a ticket ranges from around $550 in the farthest corner of the upper deck to between $1,600 to $2,500 for the high-end seats.
Parking: $40 per car in the Dolphin Stadium lots, $150 for limos and RVs. No parking is available in advance.
Quick Slant
The Gators have the Southeastern Conference credibility and an unprecedented nine-game run, while the Sooners have this year’s Heisman Trophy quarterback and the ability to score 60 points at any time. Players have talked smack all week about this matchup – Oklahoma ripping on Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Florida defensive players criticizing the validity of the Big 12’s defense – so the emotions have intensified greatly approaching game time.
About Oklahoma (12-1)
With Bradford leading one of the most prolific offensive attacks in college football history, the Sooners recorded an NCAA record 702 points this season, including five straight with 61 or more points. The closest call during this seven-game winning streak has been 14 points. The OU defense doesn’t garner the same attention as those in the SEC after allowing 253 passing yards per game, 98th in the country, but it held Texas Tech and its top-five national offense to 21 points. Crucial for OU will be stopping Florida’s running game that averages about 230 yards per contest. OU must find confidence running the football behind starter Chris Brown, who is now without fellow 1,000-yard rusher DeMarco Murray because of a hamstring injury.
About Florida (12-1)
The Gators’ offense isn’t too far behind Oklahoma’s after averaging 49.4 points per game during the last nine games. Before the 31-20 win over Alabama in the SEC title game, Florida won eight straight by 28 or more points. Tebow orchestrated two fourth-quarter drives to beat Bama 31-20 and strengthen his Gators legacy. The spread offense has gotten numerous playmakers heavily involved this season, with no one recording more than 700 yards yet five different players finishing with 500 or more yards rushing or receiving. Florida’s defensive identity is to create turnovers after an SEC-leading 32 this season to match its 32 sacks.
What to watch
1. In a down year for SEC quarterbacks, Florida hasn’t faced a signal-caller in the same galaxy as Bradford this season. If Bradford has time – which he’s had all year after taking 11 sacks – he can dissect defenses with his accuracy. Gators cornerbacks Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins simply can’t give up the big plays.
2. The Gators have declared WR Percy Harvin 100 percent for the title game, so expect at least one touchdown from the dynamic junior. Harvin averages more than 140 yards and a score in every high-stakes or rivalry game in the last two-plus years.
3. Establishing the run early is huge for the Gators, who have scored first in every game they’ve won this season.
The Buzz
The Sooners have lost their last four BCS bowls under Coach Bob Stoops, including two straight national title games…This is the first-ever meeting between Florida and Oklahoma….Florida is 10-1 against the betting line this year….OU defensive back Brett Bowers of Jacksonville is the only player from either team originally from the state of the opposing team.
