Final exam time: BCS Title Game grades

2009-09-08T11:20:07-04:00

Grading out the performances in Florida's 24-14 win over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game. <h3>Florida Gators</h3>   <div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img title="Florida" src="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/01/08/chargers/T1_0108_percymiralle.jpg" alt="Double Click to select a Photo" width="298" height="449" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;">Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow combined for 511 yards. Donald Miralle/Getty Images</div> </div> Quarterback: Tim Tebow had his struggles in the first half, throwing as many picks (two) as he had all season and finding little running room. He bounced back after halftime to finish 18-of-30 passing for 231 yards and two scores, one off his trademark jump-pass, and ran for 109 yards. Grade: A- Running backs: Chris Rainey's injury took away some of the group's depth, but luckily Percy Harvin, who doesn't really fit the position but is still oh-so dangerous there, returned with his usual explosiveness, running for 122 yards and a touchdown on a direct snap. Grade: A Receivers: Harvin made his presence felt in his natural position (four catches, 46 yards) and so did Aaron Hernandez (five catches for 57 yards) on the shovel passes. But it was Louis Murphy (two receptions, 44 yards) who made a ridiculous grab for the game's first score before leaving with an injury. Grade: A- Offensive line: The Gators had their problems against the zone blitz early on and Tebow rarely had time to throw; but the group found its footing in the second half, paving the way to 249 rushing yards and giving Tebow more time to throw. Grade: A- Defensive line: The group wasn't great vs. the run, but was better than average in giving up 107 yards. Torrey Davis did come up with a big stop of Chris Brown on 4th-and-goal in the second quarter and Carlos Dunlap and Co. managed to do what so few had: Put pressure on Sam Bradford. Grade: B+ Linebackers: The unit made some big plays like Brandon Hicks' sack, Ryan Stamper's 3rd-and-goal stop to set up Jimmy Stevens' blocked field goal and Ahmad Black's interception. But they couldn't keep up with Sooners tight end Jermaine Greshman, who simply dominated. Grade: C+ Final exam time: BCS Title Game grades

2009-01-09T01:19:40-05:00

111

2009-01-09T01:19:40-05:00

2009-01-14T12:04:48-05:00

aebgator

Saint Petersburg 662532

That and the fact that the Sooner D held the Florida offense to well below what they average against SEC defenses tells me that there's too much hype and BS to go around.

116 The Gators still scored 10 points greater than OU. Not a superb UF offense; but, it was a great UF defense. Held the greatest scoring offense to 14 points! 3979909

2009-01-14T17:54:56-05:00

1178

Gen. Jack D. Ripper

Kansas City 639966

The Gators still scored 10 points greater than OU. Not a superb UF offense; but, it was a great UF defense. Held the greatest scoring offense to 14 points!

117 man these kinds of arguments are moronic. My blocks are bigger than your blocks! 3985480

2009-01-14T07:12:12-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/949/71/thumb/ozzie.jpg 42 JP

Jenks Trojans

Tokyo 95271

The toughest defense OU faced this season prior to FLA was Texas. So statistically FLA had a defense 7 times better than the hardest defense OU had faced thus far.

115 You're badly confused. TCU is the #1 ranked defense in the nation! Oklahoma beat TCU 35-10. TCU gave up up 436 total yards of offense against the Sooners, the only game in which the Frogs allowed an opponent to even gain 300 yards or more. That and the fact that the Sooner D held the Florida offense to well below what they average against SEC defenses tells me that there's too much hype and BS to go around. 3975669

2009-01-14T12:04:48-05:00

aebgator

Saint Petersburg 662532

That and the fact that the Sooner D held the Florida offense to well below what they average against SEC defenses tells me that there's too much hype and BS to go around.

116 The Gators still scored 10 points greater than OU. Not a superb UF offense; but, it was a great UF defense. Held the greatest scoring offense to 14 points! 3979909

2009-01-13T12:07:02-05:00

AresUGA

Roswell 161030

100 I had been preaching this weeks before, but people decided that comparing stats was not a good way to guess how a game would go. The toughest defense OU faced this season prior to FLA was Texas. Texas, according to SI, finished 51st in overall defense. FLA on the other hand faced 7+ teams with defenses better than Texas's. UGA, Alabama, ole miss, FSU, Vanderbilt, etc. Not too mention FLA was ranked 7th in overall defense. So statistically FLA had a defense 7 times better than the hardest defense OU had faced thus far. So you can say the SEC was overrated this year if you want, but the statistics show that FLA was constantly put to test against better defenses and better teams (Many in the SEC) than OU had been. In the end it was Fla's rigorous schedule that turned them into the better team for this game. All those OU fans that told me I was wrong and stupid for this argument, Im waiting for your apologies. haha. 3966343

2009-01-14T07:12:12-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/949/71/thumb/ozzie.jpg 42 JP

Jenks Trojans

Tokyo 95271

The toughest defense OU faced this season prior to FLA was Texas. So statistically FLA had a defense 7 times better than the hardest defense OU had faced thus far.

2009-01-13T19:00:48-05:00

1725

CharMit

Las Vegas 24671

109 When the defense is porous, misses tackles and is out-guessed it is an exciting game. When the defenses do just the opposite it is a boring game. This is why Big 12 offenses were so mistakenly hyped this season and why they did so poorly in the bowl games when they were matched up against decent defenses. The Big 12 was exciting this season and the SEC was boring, but you see the results. 3972560

2009-01-14T03:07:16-05:00

1178

Gen. Jack D. Ripper

Kansas City 639966

When the defense is porous, misses tackles and is out-guessed it is an exciting game. When the defenses do just the opposite it is a boring game. This is why Big 12 offenses were so mistakenly hyped this season and why they did so poorly in the bowl games when they were matched up against decent defenses. The Big 12 was exciting this season and the SEC was boring, but you see the results.

114 I only saw 2 bowl games where SEC teams played Big 12 teams. One game was a shootout in which neither defense played particularly well (Miss 47-TTech 34), and one game was a lower scoring and close defensive struggle for the most part where both offenses were held well below their scoring averages (Fla 24 Okla 14). So I don't know what you can conclude about those results other than on those days, Fla and Miss were better teams. Since one was a high scoring game and one was a low scoring game, I don't think you can draw any consistent conclusions. So once again, your attempts at faux analysis and desperate attempts to wrap up some kind of hypothetical theory simply dissipates into thin air, with no substance, meaning or redeeming value at all. 3975483

2009-01-13T14:46:09-05:00

714cm

Costa Mesa 552860

106 being a USC fan i sit here and read this comedy about FL. , OU., and how good their QB's are (more like are not). both teams on either side of the ball were best average. and to make sure everyone gets their math right , how many loses does UTAH have? 0!!! not 1 but 0. UTAH is this years NC! they did not lose unlike everyone else. so get off your high horse and stop looking stupid and give UTAH the respect that they deserve. the ALA. - FL. game came down to the 4th qtr. it was over in the 1st with UTAH. the stupid at this site is diturbingly scary. 3969062

2009-01-13T23:52:43-05:00

JP Gator1

Montgomery 90776

being a USC fan i sit here and read this comedy about FL. , OU., and how good their QB's are (more like are not). both teams on either side of the ball were best average. and to make sure everyone gets their math right , how many loses does UTAH have? 0!!! not 1 but 0. UTAH is this years NC! they did not lose unlike everyone else. so get off your high horse and stop looking stupid and give UTAH the respect that they deserve. the ALA. - FL. game came down to the 4th qtr. it was over in the 1st with UTAH. the stupid at this site is diturbingly scary.

113 Utah did not paly in the BCS title game, and therefore Utah is not the champs ... the Gators are the national champs ... but if it pleases you USC fans, you can call whomever you want national chmaps ... at the end of the day, Florida has all the hardware ... 3974545

2009-01-13T17:39:38-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/659/563/thumb/Bubba_s_Ride.jpg 2678 TX

Dr. B-f-G

Bubbaville 660183

108 I was secretly hoping Florida would score 60 points so they could be the first team in history to score 60 points on the first team in history to score 60 points on 5 consecutive (lesser) opponents. 3971616

2009-01-13T20:56:13-05:00

173

ronnieb789

No City 626859

I was secretly hoping Florida would score 60 points so they could be the first team in history to score 60 points on the first team in history to score 60 points on 5 consecutive (lesser) opponents.

112 why secretly? are you an fbi agent? 3973412

2009-01-13T14:46:09-05:00

714cm

Costa Mesa 552860

2009-01-13T20:54:43-05:00

173

ronnieb789

No City 626859

111 agreed for the most part. i think both of these teams did not play to their full potential- maybe it was the layoff. Also, when two somehwat evenly matched teams get on the feild there is a tendency for them to cancel eachother out and nobody looks good. Put these two together and you get what we got. But the thing about Utah is right on and I feel sorry for those guys. Maybe before the Bama game there was an argument buy how can you argue against them now? -sooner fan 3973445

2009-01-13T13:32:21-05:00

cheree22

Saint Augustine 662852

105 Stats mean nothing...... The Big 12 was exposed on all of its grand stages. Even the conferences wins should have been losses. I mean missouri almost lost to " northwestern". And TX might have a W, but they were dominated the entire game and lets not get started on Texas Tech. I am still waiting for a 60 pt game against a defense. All records should be null and void... all awards should be returned ... or given to the SEC!!!!!! 3967689

2009-01-13T20:49:41-05:00

173

ronnieb789

No City 626859

Stats mean nothing...... The Big 12 was exposed on all of its grand stages. Even the conferences wins should have been losses. I mean missouri almost lost to " northwestern". And TX might have a W, but they were dominated the entire game and lets not get started on Texas Tech. I am still waiting for a 60 pt game against a defense. All records should be null and void... all awards should be returned ... or given to the SEC!!!!!!

110 and we are waiting for all the sec blowouts. losing a championship game by 10 is hardly being "exposed". Nobody expected 60 to get hung on fla but i got the feeling a lot of people were expecting 60 to get hung on the sooners "terrible defense". 3973390

2009-01-13T19:00:48-05:00

1725

CharMit

Las Vegas 24671

2009-01-13T17:39:38-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/659/563/thumb/Bubba_s_Ride.jpg 2678 TX

Dr. B-f-G

Bubbaville 660183

111

Grading out the performances in Florida's 24-14 win over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game. <h3>Florida Gators</h3>   <div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img title="Florida" src="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/01/08/chargers/T1_0108_percymiralle.jpg" alt="Double Click to select a Photo" width="298" height="449" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;">Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow combined for 511 yards. Donald Miralle/Getty Images</div> </div> Quarterback: Tim Tebow had his struggles in the first half, throwing as many picks (two) as he had all season and finding little running room. He bounced back after halftime to finish 18-of-30 passing for 231 yards and two scores, one off his trademark jump-pass, and ran for 109 yards. Grade: A- Running backs: Chris Rainey's injury took away some of the group's depth, but luckily Percy Harvin, who doesn't really fit the position but is still oh-so dangerous there, returned with his usual explosiveness, running for 122 yards and a touchdown on a direct snap. Grade: A Receivers: Harvin made his presence felt in his natural position (four catches, 46 yards) and so did Aaron Hernandez (five catches for 57 yards) on the shovel passes. But it was Louis Murphy (two receptions, 44 yards) who made a ridiculous grab for the game's first score before leaving with an injury. Grade: A- Offensive line: The Gators had their problems against the zone blitz early on and Tebow rarely had time to throw; but the group found its footing in the second half, paving the way to 249 rushing yards and giving Tebow more time to throw. Grade: A- Defensive line: The group wasn't great vs. the run, but was better than average in giving up 107 yards. Torrey Davis did come up with a big stop of Chris Brown on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter and Carlos Dunlap and Co. managed to do what so few had: Put pressure on Sam Bradford. Grade: B+ Linebackers: The unit made some big plays like Brandon Hicks' sack, Ryan Stamper's third-and-goal stop to set up Jimmy Stevens' blocked field goal and Ahmad Black's interception. But they couldn't keep up with Sooners tight end Jermaine Greshman, who simply dominated. Grade: C+ Defensive backs: Safety Major Wright stole the show. He set the tone with a vicious hit on Manuel Johnson that may or may not have had an effect on Johnson dropping a key pass in the second half, and he came up with an interception on a bobbled pass that touched nearly every Gator on the field. Grade: A Special Teams: Urban Meyer's vaunted punt block team got itself in trouble as Jamaal Deveaux was called for roughing the kicker, but luckily the Sooners couldn't capitalize. The special teams later redeemed itself with its ninth blocked field goal of the year. Grade: B+ Coaching: Meyer's defense managed to keep a team that came in averaging 54 points per game to two touchdowns. He smartly got the ball into Harvin's hands more in the second half and then rode Tebow and the option to become the first coach to win two BCS national titles. Grade: A <h3>Oklahoma Sooners</h3> Quarterback: Heisman winner Sam Bradford wasn't horrendous, finishing 26-of-41 for 257 yards, two TDs and two picks, he just wasn't the Sam Bradford we've come to expect this season. His two picks can be cast aside as tipped passes, but he still didn't come up with big plays when OU needed 'em. Grade: C+ Running backs: While not having DeMarco Murray likely had an impact on the Sooners' game plan, Brown responded to carrying more of a load. He was one of the bright spots for the Sooners, running for 109 yards on 22 carries. Grade: A- Receivers: Gresham was simply the Sooners' best player and likely had NFL scouts salivating with his eight catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns. His cohorts, though, had their issues. Johnson wasn't the same after the Wright hit and Juaquin Iglesias tipped a ball that was picked off by Black, keying a drive that allowed the Gators to go up by 10. Grade: C+ Offensive line: The Duke Robinson and Phil Loadholt-led group paved the way for Brown's big night but couldn't get him in the end zone on the goal-line stand. They largely gave Bradford time to throw, though they allowed multiple (two) sacks for just the fourth time this season. Grade: B+ Defensive line: The line managed to get pressure on Tebow, but once Florida established the run with Harvin and later the option, that pressure basically disappeared. Grade: C+ Linebackers: Once Harvin managed to reach the second level, these guys just couldn't get to him, and they allowed Hernandez way too much room to work with late in the game. Grade: D Defensive Backs: Nic Harris made the first big play of the game in picking off Tebow, but he gets slighted for a questionable extracurricular move on Harvin. Once Oklahoma had to creep up with Florida running more, the group had trouble keeping up with the Gators' receivers. Grade: C+ Specials Teams: Stevens tried to go low on the 49-yard field-goal attempt, allowing the Gators to block it. Punter Mike Knall did a good job of keeping dangerous Brandon James from having too much room to work with. Grade: C- Coaching: Bob Stoops didn't help his perception in losing his fifth-straight BCS game. He also didn't help himself by going for it on fourth-and-goal in the third quarter or his clock management on the last drive of the first half. Grade: C 39241 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/471/4/thumb/mccartney_cory.jpg 15 GA

Cory McCartney

Atlanta 4734