FanNation - The Republic of Sport

This week, I must give the Golden Handkerchief award to Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and the Defensive unit that put up a game fight, but could not stop Florida.

While I must commend the Oklahoma Coaching staff for having their team as ready as they could be to face Florida, they should have known ahead of time they would need their best day to come close. As it turns out, the defense did have their best day and nearly pulled it off.

 

Florida sputtered on offense all game and finally put together a few drives late in the game to put this one on ice, but it was clear from the beginning who the better offense and defense was on the field.

 

Sam Bradford at times looked like a deer caught in the headlights as he faced pressure, and a cornerback/safety set that he has never even approached seeing in action. Overall, Florida’s Defense did a solid job. If Florida’s offense was firing on all cylinders like the Defense, this game would have been over early. Tim Tebow had some BCS Nerves early on but settled down well enough to steal the Game MVP Award from Percy Harvin who had a remarkable game.

 

Every Oklahoma and Florida fan is still holding their breath waiting for their Quarterbacks to announce their plans for this next year. I am sure that Sam Bradford would not gain much technically from going back to Oklahoma, but he would mature and possibly gain some pocket experience under pressure. Oklahoma is sure to lose some of their O-line starters with this bunch and the NFL is chomping at the bit to get at them.

 

If I was Sam’s agent, I would have him wait, regardless of the 2010 Bargaining Agreement being so flaky. Better to get another year under your belt than come out early, likely playing for the Detroit Lions and get smashed into Heisman winner mediocrity like so many young QBs.

 

Tim Tebow is ready to be a backup and learn from a good QB Coach and veteran QB to take the reins in a year of so. In the meantime, he could be an awesome option back or Wildcat runner for the occasional trick play. This will keeps his legs young and keep his heart in the game. If he stays in Florida another year, he can practically assure himself a Round 1 High Draft Pick in 2010.

 

From a coaching stand point of view, I think Oklahoma did as well as could be expected with what they were facing. The Big 12 is not the SEC. It is proven over and over in these bowl games and with most of the Big 12 Leaders losing their bowl games, it is telling a tale the BCS does not want exposed to blatantly.

 

Florida benefits from playing in the toughest division in NCAA Football and it shows every time they face an out of Conference team in a  bowl match. Ohio State does not want any more of Florida as I am sure Oklahoma is hoping to face anyone but another SEC Team after what they have lost to them in the past few years.

 

As for USC, they blew their chance to be here with a terrible loss earlier in the year. Pete Carroll can whine all he wants, but they let their guard down and had a soft schedule for the year and it cost them.

Utah is the only team I think has a legitimate argument for Co-Champ this year, but their division is not the toughest in the league. Maybe one day if we do go to a playoff system in College Football, it will allow an outstanding team like Utah to show what they are capable of doing. Alabama sure underestimated their ability and got spanked as a result.

 

Tebow and Bradford both threw two interceptions this game, but Florida’s defense made sure it would not cost them. 

 

It was an entertaining game and the fact that it stayed close and kept people on the edge of their seats well into the Fourth Quarter. When you compare it to the past few blowout years, this was a good matchup and Oklahoma played taller than they really are to make it a good game.

 

Bob Stoops should not come under fire for his team’s performance. He had them outplaying their ability, they were simply outmatched talent wise, speed wise, and experience wise. Plain and simple, the heat that hardened Florida clearly showed in this game where Oklahoma is not used to facing a truly stiff multifaceted Defense.

 

It certainly makes us look forward to next year to see who is back, who is hungry, and who will make it to the top!