It seems that the majority of the pundits (and even the general public for that matter) are picking the Florida Gators to win this games based solely on OU’s defensive stats. While I’m not one to stand up and proclaim the Sooners as the best defense in the land I will hold fast to the belief that the quality of the Big 12 offenses had a lot to with the points per game that the Sooners are surrendering. When you look at the fact that Oklahoma played against seven of the nation’s Top 25 scoring offenses with a combined average of 39.9 points scored per game then OU’s average of 24.5 points allowed becomes a lot more respectable.

On the other hand short of Oklahoma there hasn’t been an offense more prolific than Florida’s in college football this year. The Gators run a glorified veer offense and are third in the nation in points scored per game (45.2) with 442.4 yards per game. They rush for 229.8 yards per game (9^th in the country) and have scored 41 of their 72 offensive touchdowns on the ground. The Florida passing attack lacks the punch that their rushing attack does but is still potent none the less. The Gators pass for an average of 212.6 yards per game and have scored 31 touchdowns through the air. Teams of note that have posted more yards through the air than Florida are Oklahoma State, North Texas, Arizona, San Diego State, Iowa State, Texas A&M and several others. In fact, there are 47 teams that posted better numbers through the air than the Gators. Obviously that makes the game plan crystal clear for Brent Venables and the Oklahoma defense.

How Oklahoma’s Defense Can Slow The Florida Offense

Note that I said, “slow the Florida Offense” and not stop it. The truth is, the Gators are going to score. I’m going to go ahead and say that this game has no chance of finishing 13-2 like the 2001 Orange Bowl did. However, there are some things the Sooners can do to slow Florida’s offense and put them in position to win.

* Contain Tebow – The Florida Gators go as Tim Tebow goes. Oklahoma must follow the Mississippi game plan and make him a non-factor in the rushing game. In that game Tebow ran the ball 15 times for 7 yards.

* Account for the Backfield – No one in the country has a stable of backs like the Gators do. While Florida failed to produce a 1,000 yards rusher they did have four guys (including Tebow) run for over 500 yards. The backs are also dangerous in the passing game as well because they are fast. Each one of these guys should be accounted for in order to be contained. For Oklahoma to do that they must play assignment football and play it very well. A blown defensive assignment for Oklahoma in this game is going to result in points for Florida.

*Win First Down – First down is going to be huge in this match up. Ultimately the Sooners are going to have to force the Gators to pass (We’ll get to that in a minute) and limiting them to short yardage is the key. By forcing the Gators into 2^nd & 3^rd and long OU will limit what they are able to do with their rushing attack.

*Force Tebow to Pass – Tim Tebow doesn’t turn the ball over very often nor does he make many mistakes. However, the times that he does are when there is pressure coming on him. Oklahoma fans need to be aware of the fact that the Gators have a very legitimate chance of winning this game. What the Oklahoma defense will do is play to stop the run and make Tebow beat them through the air. It is a known fact that the Gators are worried about OU’s fast paced, no-huddle offense and in order to counter that they are most likely going to attempt to eat up the clock with their rushing attack. Take away the rushing attack and force the 48^th ranked passing offense to beat you is the best option for the Sooners.

Orange and Blue Hue and the Crimson and Cream Machine have done our best to bring you the various fans perspectives on the BCS Championship Game. Now we’ve each had the opportunity to state our cases on the Pigskin Podcast. You can check me out around the 13:10 mark followed by Ryan giving the Gators perspective.

 
This thread will move over to the main page after the Oklahoma basketball game ends. So far the Big 12 South is 0-2 in bowl games and the conference needs Texas to win in order to have a chance for a winning bowl record. Surely the Longhorns won't go down to the Big 10, right? Or do you even care? Can Sooner fans cheer for Texas as long as it is for the greater good of the conference? I have to admit that I'm going to have a hard time with it because I know that they won't be cheering for us on Thursday night!

Tip Time: 7:07 pm (CST)

Location: Lloyd Noble Center

TV: Fox Sports

Radio: KOKC AM 1520 in Oklahoma City, KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa

Jeff Capel won’t be on the sideline for the Sooners tonight but it may not matter for this game. Here’s to hoping that he’s healthy and ready to go when the Sooners begin conference play Saturday at Kansas State.

The Texas/Ohio State game thread will be located in the Fan Posts section and then moved to the main page after the basketball game. My son has a basketball game tonight a 7:00 as well so I’ll be on as soon as possible.

After dropping their first game of the season at Arkansas last week the Oklahoma men’s basketball team dropped to #6 in this week’s AP and Coaches Polls. Texas checks in at #7 and Baylor is #23.

AP Top 25

We hooked up one more time with our man Gatorpilot from Orange and Blue Hue, an outstanding Florida fansite, to get his final thoughts on the national championship game Thursday night. You can head over there later this week to find my thoughts for the Gator fans but for now let’s see what Gatorpilot has to say.

CC Machine: What match-up concerns you most in this game?

GP: Bradford vs. Florida's secondary.  Our hope is that the UF defensive backfield is the best that Oklahoma has seen this year and that Bradford will have a tougher time getting the balls to his playmakers.  This concern has more to do with Bradford's amazing ability and less to do with any fear that our secondary isn't up to par.

CC Machine: Where do you have the most confidence?

GP: Tebow.  First, last, and always.

CC Machine: Oklahoma has to play the Gators in the state of Florida. Does that provide UF a little extra advantage and motivation to win a championship in their home state?

GP: We're hoping it will be a home game atmosphere.  The weak economy might keep the ratio a little more evenly-distributed than it would be in better years, but the general thinking is that this should be a home-field advantage for the Gators.  Most fans who live in Florida can drive to Miami -- the cost of tickets is another matter.

CC Machine: Keys to the game. What must Florida do to win this game?

GP: In our view, Murray's absence hurts Oklahoma most in terms of field position; the other disadvantage comes on third down, where we've found Murray to be one of Bradford's favorite targets, particularly on flare-outs and screens, and/or checkdowns when his primary targets are covered downfield.  The question is, can Mossis Madu fill in that role?

So if Florida can get the short field on kickoff, and keep Oklahoma near their 20 when kicking to the Sooners, there's a built-in advantage for the Gators' offense.

During the game, if Florida is able to put Bradford in 3rd-and-long consistently, Florida wins this game.  So it comes down to Florida's defense.  If they play to their ability we believe the Gators' chances to win the game are reasonably good.

CC Machine: Give us your score prediction.

GP: Florida 42, Oklahoma 34.

Tip Time: 12:37

Location: Lloyd Noble Center

TV: Fox Sports

Radio: KOKC AM 1520 in Oklahoma City, KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa

Series History: 12-0, OU

The Sooners dropped an egg in Arkansas but are back home today for a chance to set things straight against Coppin State. Hopefully they’ll get it cranking back up with a renewed passion and intensity.

Bob Stoops hit a big payday when the clock struck Midnight on Thursday morning. The end of 2008 officially ended Coach Stoops’ tenth year at Oklahoma. Because of that he received a $3 million “stay bonus” from the university. Now a new era begins for Stoops as OU fans are more than willing to embrace him for another decade and beyond but if he’s bored of winning Big 12 championships then the Denver Broncos could be ready for him to win some AFC West titles.

The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that they have two sources who state that the Broncos have already reached out to Stoops in hopes of filling their vacant coaching position. They had better bring a lot of money to the table though because after you put the “stay bonus” and incentives for winning the Big 12 championship, being named the Coach of the Year for the conference and reaching the BCS championship game on top of Stoops’ annual salary, Bob Stoops is already guaranteed to make $6.11 million this year with the possibility of more to come should the Sooners beat the Gators.

I don’t think that if Stoops leaves though it would be for money. Instead should he bolt Norman it would be for the challenge of resurrecting a once proud NFL franchise. With the track record that successful college coaches have had in the NFL it would certainly be a challenge. College coaches (including Stoops’ buddy Steve Spurrier) are failing in the NFL at an alarming rate because the game is so different. There really hasn’t been a coach to jump from the ranks of college football to success in the NFL since Jimmy Johnson. Before you jump on me shouting that, “Barry Switzer did it!” keep in mind that he didn’t jump from the college ranks to the NFL he jumped from retirement to the NFL and built on the success that Johnson had already established.

Football coaches seek and thrive on security and the NFL doesn’t necessarily offer that. Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan provides a perfect example of that. After bringing the first two world championships ever to Denver he was fired after not getting the job done the last few years even though he entered the final week of the season with a shot at winning the AFC West title. Stoops has it made in Norman! He has the money and security that NFL coaches would sacrifice a franchise quarterback for. So what would he leave to go to the NFL for?  

The north carried their weight in their bowl games this season by going 3-0. Shocking! On the other hand the south has lost its only opportunity to this point. Stepping up to the plate next (another baseball reference in a football post) are the Texas Tech Red Raiders who not only are representing the conference but also playing against the SEC in the epic, “Our conference is better than yours – nanny, nanny, boo-boo!” battle.

We also get to see how a team that Oklahoma beat stacks up against a team that beat Florida. It isn’t logical to compare scoreboards but it sure is fun! The crystal ball predicts a Texas Tech victory but only has a 2-2 record through the first four Big 12 bowl games. Hopefully 3-2 is on the way!

Kansas proved that the crystal ball isn’t going to be 100% correct by knocking off Minnesota 42-21 and improving the Big 12’s bowl record to 2-1. So, far the North is batting a thousand (I know, baseball analogies don’t belong in a football post) and Nebraska is up next to take on Clemson. Go Big Red!