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Gators Are On A Mission
Published by MoonDog on December 8, 2008
If you watched the SEC championship game on Saturday, even the casual observer had to recognize the Florida Gators are on a mission as they march towards another BCS national title.
Florida QB Tim Tebow has led the Gators to Nine Straight Wins
Just ask Alabama, the nation’s top-ranked team, just how good the Gators are. Florida earned a berth in the BCS national championship against Oklahoma with a 31-20 victory over the previously undefeated Crimson Tide.
Since losing to Ole Miss on September 27, no team in college football has been more dominant. The Gators have won nine straight including victories over five Top 25 opponents, winning by an average margin of 36 points.
Playing without the services of Percy Harvin, sidelined with an ankle injury, the Gators’ were able to withstand a strong third quarter by Alabama and overcame a 20-17 deficit to claim their seventh SEC championship.
Quarterback Tim Tebow turned in a solid performance, completing 14-of-22 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. He also gained 57 yards on 17 carries and calmly guided the Gators’ two fourth quarter touchdown drives to win the game.
Tebow has thrust himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation along with Texas’ Colt McCoy, Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford.
Last year’s Heisman winner has accounted for 40 touchdowns, completed 65% of his passes and has only been picked off twice this season. Tebow could very well end up as only the second player to win the Heisman Trophy twice, matching the feat of Ohio State’s Archie Griffin.
Florida's Defense Stifled Alabama During the Fourth Quarter of the SEC Championship
Tebow and his Florida teammates will be playing for their second national championship in three years when they face the Sooners. Oklahoma manhandled Missouri in the Big 12 Conference championship game on Saturday, defeating the Tigers 62-21.
Some believe the Sooners have become the nation’s best team since losing to Texas on October 11. But Oklahoma will take on a Florida team that is athletic, fast and easily the best defense they’ve faced all season.
Unlike the Steve Spurrier coached teams in the 90’s, this Florida team is more workman like. While the offensive numbers have been impressive, the Gators’ possess grit and determination, most evident in the fourth quarter against Alabama.
After Alabama took control during the third quarter, Florida’s defense completely shut down the Tide in the final 15 minutes, limiting them to only six yards. Alabama ran a total of six plays the entire fourth quarter, the last play resulting in an interception of quarterback John Parker Wilson to close out the Gators’ win.
The Sooners will be making their fourth appearance in a BCS national championship game, winning college football’s ultimate prize in 2001.
Oklahoma Will be Seeking Their Second BCS Championship
Oklahoma has lost their most recent BCS title games, falling to LSU in 2003 and Southern California in 2004. The Sooners have lost four of their last five bowl games, including a 48-28 dismantling at the hands of West Virginia last year in the Fiesta Bowl.
Does Oklahoma deserve a shot at the BCS championship? Maybe, maybe not. Missouri was no match for the Sooners on Saturday night, but no less than eight of the nation’s best teams would have beaten the Tigers.
On January 8 in Miami, we’ll find out of the Sooners high-powered offense can produce enough points against the Gators defense, while hoping their defense can shut down a Florida offense that will have Harvin back in the lineup.
The nation’s strongest football conferences get to battle for supremacy, a fitting end to another outstanding season in college football.
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Monday Afternoon Linkage: Yuengling Lager Bomber Edition | SECRivals.com on Mon, 8th Dec 2008 13:01
[...] Gators Get Love From Moondog (Moondog Sports) [...]
tophatal on Mon, 8th Dec 2008 14:24
bounce
Even after this win there are still some who feel that the BCS Committee has got it wrong. I feel that the two team chosen are indeed worthy to meet for the national championship. They’ve proven themselves up to the task afterall. When it really mattered they did what was asked of them.
tophatal …………
MoonDog on Tue, 9th Dec 2008 00:55
I agree, especially about Florida. Oklahoma is as good as anyone else playing right now. Perhaps an argument could be made for Texas, but this is the best possible matchup for the BCS title.