My very initial analysis of The Big Game

[CoachC.]

First of all, I don't care what any scouts or experts say about Michigan's speed being equal to or better than Florida's. It's not. The Gators are extremely fast and prove it every week. So, Ohio State will probably be a bit surprised by this - and more importantly - it's virtually impossible to simulate that kind of team speed when you practice.

However, that being said, I've watched and paid attention to Florida Gators football (as well as the other teams in this state) very closely for over ten years now (since I moved down here). And almost every single time the Gators play a good, physical team in a very big game, all of that speed succumbs in the end.

Ohio State is physical. Very physical. And they have a lot of talent to go along with that physicality. So, as they usually do, the Gators will try to finesse their way through four quarters against a team like this. But OSU is too good, and too tough, to let that beat them.

Here are the last four bowl games Florida has played against a Big Ten team (generally regarded as a very physical conference):

2005: vs. Iowa (Win 31-24)
2003: vs. Iowa (Lose 37-17)
2002: vs. Michigan (Lose 38-30)
1999: vs. Michigan State (Lose 37-34)

One 7-point win. Other than that, their speed just didn't last enough. And look at the amount of points they've given up in these games.

I'm totally neutral in this (I don't like either team to be honest, but I do love both coaches). I won't pick a winner until right before the game. But you can see which way I'm leaning right now and why.

[Merk]

Good Stuff


Coach your thoughts on the affect of the 51 days off?

Good?
Bad?
Doesnt matter?


I'm sure the media will harp on it to much


IMO I think it will only affect the passing game for OSU in the early going of the game b/c of timing and getting used to going up against other DB's rather than your own. I'm interested to see how Tressel will address it w/ passing early to get it warmed up or bringing it along after trying to start the running game. I'm also interested in seeing how the Fla coaches combats this.


I'm excited about the coaching match up :)

[WhiteRabbit]

Coach very fair analysis. Now that an SEC team, Florida, has got their chance, I will be as neutral about it as I can.

There are two things on the Florida offense that will be different when OSU sees them. First, DeShawn Wynn will be healthy -- he is the leading RB for Florida, but he's been playing hurt through the end of the season. He should be ready to go after this recovery time. Second, I think Urban Meyer has figured out how to utilize Percy Harvin. He is a very athletic player, and look for Florida to come out with some plays that feature Harvin, he didn't really break out until Wynn started having some injury trouble.

So, OSU is a very very strong team, but I think Florida may play tough.

[MrWhite]

^ It isn't so much that he figured it out, it's that Harvin hasn't been 100%. Of course the other side is that he probably wasn't ready to handle the load earlier in the season. He will be fully healthy come January 8th, and I really do believe he's the biggest factor in Florida's offense.

As far as toughness goes, this is a different brand of Gator football than what you saw in the Spurrier era. The fact that they are a defense-first team is the main reason people were knocking them coming into the final BCS standings. Arkansas smashed everyone in the mouth this year with that fantastic running game, but the Gators stepped up to the challenge. I believe Ohio State is a much more complete team, but I fully expect Florida to give them a run for their money.

Go Gators!