With the GMAC Bowl in the books, there is now just one college bowl game left before the countdown to the college football season begins in earnest. Luckily for us, the last game is a gem. As we get closer to the Florida – Oklahoma showdown, I find myself changing my mind about the game a few times a day. I like Oklahoma a lot more than I like Florida from a personal bias basis, but my confidence has been shaken in them by the struggles of the big Big 12 teams in their bowls. As I drive my self crazy about the game, here are 10 things that will likely factor into my ultimate decision:
1. As I said, I have been concerned about how the Big 12 has measured up in bowl action. Texas won, but they made Ohio State look much better than most Big Ten teams have looked this year, and better than the team looked against their other top five opponent. Texas Tech was mostly pitiful. Oklahoma State was outclassed by Oregon after a tough fight. Mizzou needed overtime to get past Northwestern. There hasn’t yet been a powerful performance by a ranked Big 12 team in a bowl game.
2. The SEC, on the other hand, has been better than expected in many of their bowls. Mississippi rose up against Texas Tech, Georgia beat Michigan State, LSU crushed Georgia Tech, and Vandy got past Boston College. Alabama is the only big disappointment from the conference.
3. It’s been hard to have faith in a Heisman winner in their bowl game. Tim Tebow got beat in a game he should have won last year, and he wasn’t alone. Heisman winners are just 2-6 in their last eight bowl games after a win.
4. Special teams mismatch? The Gators are ridiculously fast, and that translates to a good return game. Oklahoma has struggled at times, giving up four return touchdowns. Things would be much easier for Florida if they were to have good field position all game.
5. Strength against strength. Few teams in history have scored as often and as easily as the Sooners. Only three teams allowed fewer points per game than Florida did. Only one of those units is going to be able to play their game. It goes without saying that knowing which team that will be would be helpful.
6. Travis Lewis. There are few players in the country that have more of a singular impact on their unit than Oklahoma’s linebacker. If Lewis plays well then the Oklahoma defense plays well. Lewis will have to have a big game to contain Percy Harvin and the rest.
7. No-huddle. Florida hasn’t seen a team that runs a no-huddle offense anything close to as effectively as Oklahoma. Mostly because there isn’t one. It remains to be seen how Florida responds.
8. Speed. Obviously, Florida is fast. Really, really fast. We have heard all about that a million times. The question is how much of a factor it will be.
9. The crowd factor. The game is in Miami. Miami is in Florida. Oklahoma will have their fans, but this could look a lot like a Florida home game.
10. Dan Mullen. Mullen has been Florida’s offensive coordinator since 2005. This will be his last game – he is the new head coach at Mississippi State. He’ll still be in charge for this game, but he has been splitting time between the two jobs. This could raise some issues. The impact will be mitigated somewhat by the fact that the next offensive coordinator, Steve Addazio, is already the offensive line coach in Florida. Still, Florida’s offense will have to be at their very best in this game, so this is something to consider.
