This One's for All The Marbles: The BCS Championship Preview
#1 
12-0 (8-0), 1st Big Ten
vs
#2 
12-1 (7-1), 1st Southeastern - East
By now we all know the stories of how both teams got here. Ohio State ran the table in the Big Ten and beat Texas in Austin to get to 12-0. Florida on the other hand stumbled against Auburn but won the rest of their games and the SEC Championship game to get here. I must say the Gators had a little luck in getting to Glendale. They blocked a last second field goal against South Carolina, beat Tennessee late in the game by 1 points, and only beat Florida State by 7. But for the most part you need a little luck to win this BCS Championship. This could end up being a defensive battle because in Ohio State's 12 games they have only given up 14 touchdowns while Florida has only given up 17 touchdowns in 13 games.
For the past 3 title games the underdog has won the game, and Florida is hoping to make that 4 years in a row for the underdogs. Florida is not known for their offense this year but late in the season they have been able to kick it in high gear. This is a game that will most likely define Chris Leak's career at Florida. The senior has thrown for 2729 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Freshman Tim Tiebow is also used at quarterback to bring in a change of pace. The leading rusher for the Gators is DeShawn Wynn who has a little over 600 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns.
On the outside Dallas Baker the touchdown maker and Andre Caldwell combined for 1400 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns. Florida has done so well because of its defense. It only gives up a little over 70 yards per game on the ground and 194 yards in the air. I think if they can hold Ohio State to under 100 yards rushing as a team, they will have a really good shot in winning this game.
The Buckeyes are led by the Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Smith has thrown for 2507 yards with 30 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. At running back they have two really good guys in Antiono Pittman and true freshman Chris Wells. Pittman has over 1100 yards and 13 touchdowns while Wells has 567 yards and 7 touchdowns. At receiver the Buckeyes have one the most dangerous players in the game in Ted Ginn Jr, but Anthony Gonzalez might be the best receiver on the team. Both have combined for over 1500 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.
On defense the Buckeyes are led by James Laurinaitis and his 5 interceptions while Malcolm Jenkins has 4 himself. Ohio State is also tough against the run giving up under 100 yards rushing. Ohio State also has the most physical defensive backs that I've seen this year. All of them are tall, fast, and tough. The Florida WR's will have a tough time getting open on them.
For Florida to win they must jump on Ohio State early. It will have been over 50 days since the Buckeye's last played Michigan and there is bound to be some rust there. Florida must also develop some balance on offense or the Buckeyes will blitz Chris Leak all night and that's when he's prone to making mistakes. As I stated before, Florida must shutdown the running game and make Ohio State one dimensions. Florida has two great defensive backs that Troy Smith must watch out for in Reggie Nelson and Reggie Lewis. Both are game changers. I bet Gator fans hope this doesn't come down to a Field Goal on their part. We all know how bad their kicker has been this year.
Ohio State must use their balance on offense to keep the Florida defense guessing. I do not think this game will be a blow out, it is going to be close and come down to the wire at the end. I think Florida definately has the defense to keep them in this game but I don't think their offense will be able to out shoot Ohio State if it comes to that. The Buckeyes are undefeated for a reason, because they are a good team from top to bottom. No real weaknesses. Ohio State wins this one in a thriller. Ohio State 29-22
Mountain Lair - Ohio State
Husker Mike - Ohio State
Charlie - Ohio State
Brian from CFR- Ohio State
Brian - Ohio State
Ron - Florida
Mrs. Cornnation - Ohio State
Mr. Cornnation - Florida
Otto the Computer - Florida in OT
12-0 (8-0), 1st Big Ten
vs
#2 12-1 (7-1), 1st Southeastern - East
By now we all know the stories of how both teams got here. Ohio State ran the table in the Big Ten and beat Texas in Austin to get to 12-0. Florida on the other hand stumbled against Auburn but won the rest of their games and the SEC Championship game to get here. I must say the Gators had a little luck in getting to Glendale. They blocked a last second field goal against South Carolina, beat Tennessee late in the game by 1 points, and only beat Florida State by 7. But for the most part you need a little luck to win this BCS Championship. This could end up being a defensive battle because in Ohio State's 12 games they have only given up 14 touchdowns while Florida has only given up 17 touchdowns in 13 games.
For the past 3 title games the underdog has won the game, and Florida is hoping to make that 4 years in a row for the underdogs. Florida is not known for their offense this year but late in the season they have been able to kick it in high gear. This is a game that will most likely define Chris Leak's career at Florida. The senior has thrown for 2729 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Freshman Tim Tiebow is also used at quarterback to bring in a change of pace. The leading rusher for the Gators is DeShawn Wynn who has a little over 600 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns.
On the outside Dallas Baker the touchdown maker and Andre Caldwell combined for 1400 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns. Florida has done so well because of its defense. It only gives up a little over 70 yards per game on the ground and 194 yards in the air. I think if they can hold Ohio State to under 100 yards rushing as a team, they will have a really good shot in winning this game.
The Buckeyes are led by the Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Smith has thrown for 2507 yards with 30 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. At running back they have two really good guys in Antiono Pittman and true freshman Chris Wells. Pittman has over 1100 yards and 13 touchdowns while Wells has 567 yards and 7 touchdowns. At receiver the Buckeyes have one the most dangerous players in the game in Ted Ginn Jr, but Anthony Gonzalez might be the best receiver on the team. Both have combined for over 1500 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.
On defense the Buckeyes are led by James Laurinaitis and his 5 interceptions while Malcolm Jenkins has 4 himself. Ohio State is also tough against the run giving up under 100 yards rushing. Ohio State also has the most physical defensive backs that I've seen this year. All of them are tall, fast, and tough. The Florida WR's will have a tough time getting open on them.
For Florida to win they must jump on Ohio State early. It will have been over 50 days since the Buckeye's last played Michigan and there is bound to be some rust there. Florida must also develop some balance on offense or the Buckeyes will blitz Chris Leak all night and that's when he's prone to making mistakes. As I stated before, Florida must shutdown the running game and make Ohio State one dimensions. Florida has two great defensive backs that Troy Smith must watch out for in Reggie Nelson and Reggie Lewis. Both are game changers. I bet Gator fans hope this doesn't come down to a Field Goal on their part. We all know how bad their kicker has been this year.
Ohio State must use their balance on offense to keep the Florida defense guessing. I do not think this game will be a blow out, it is going to be close and come down to the wire at the end. I think Florida definately has the defense to keep them in this game but I don't think their offense will be able to out shoot Ohio State if it comes to that. The Buckeyes are undefeated for a reason, because they are a good team from top to bottom. No real weaknesses. Ohio State wins this one in a thriller. Ohio State 29-22
Mountain Lair - Ohio State
Husker Mike - Ohio State
Charlie - Ohio State
Brian from CFR- Ohio State
Brian - Ohio State
Ron - Florida
Mrs. Cornnation - Ohio State
Mr. Cornnation - Florida
Otto the Computer - Florida in OT
