*The Finish Line*

BCS Championship Game. Like it or not weve got the Florida Gators and the Oklahoma Sooners battling it out. This scene isn’t new to either of these teams as they consistently expect to be here. So the whole intimidation of the enormity of the game doesn’t apply to either of them. A key trend that cant be ignored is the Big 12 and SEC conference’s performance in the bowl season. The Big 12 has to be the biggest disappointment from a BCS conference. The fabled Big 12 South has gone 0-3 ATS thus far and only a late touchdown has given them a SU win over a 9.5 pt favorite. Meanwhile the SEC has performed very well and the opponent that Florida lost to end up dominating Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. So advantage Florida in that aspect. Both offenses are solid and what this game comes down to is which defense makes the big plays. Bradford will be slinging the ball all over the field even more than usual with Demarco Murray out for the game. Oklahoma has scored 60+ points in their last 5 games but this is not a Big 12 game. They will have to run the ball and I suspect they have figured this out from watching their fellow Big 12’ers look horrible so far. This is where the loss of Murray hurts the most. Chris Brown is still a great back but Murray has the speed to get to corner and create the big play. Oklahoma has benefitted all year from having the best athletes on the field with the exception of maybe Texas but I still believe Oklahoma was more talented. That speed has led to big play after big play and that is how they have gotten it done.  So for the first time all year they will not have the advantage and will have to be precise in their execution to get the job done. The toughest games to cap are the Big 12 vs. anyone b/c their conference is so gimmick. Lets spread the field and let Bradford find the open man. Bradford is one hell of a QB. I personally think there is no quarterback in the country that comes close to him. With that being said, I cant wait to see how resilient he is tonight. Florida creates turnovers and puts QB’s on their asses. The last time I saw Bradford on the turf was in Oklahoma St and he struggled. I realize he went for 370 and 4 td’s but the one was a 70 yard deflected pass to Gresham and he didn’t have his usual pinpoint accuracy b/c his feet got  a little jumpy in the pocket. I guarantee Florida will try to blitz the shit out of him tonight and force him into bad throws. That will be the battle that decides the outcome. The Florida blitz scheme vs. the Oklahoma pass protection. I think this is where the athleticism will be most apparent for Florida too.  On the other side of the ball I do not think Oklahoma will stop Florida at all. Oklahoma’s defense away from home just doesn’t get it done. When they aren’t feeding off of their home crowds energy they don’t seem to be able to perform. Factor in Florida will have a 90 Harvin(still best player on the field) and you have a serious mismatch. I expect Florida to come out pounding the ball as this has worked against the rest of the Big12. If anyone in the SEC runs an offense similar to a Big 12 offense it would be the Gators. Get Harvin the ball outside the tackles and it will be a long day for everyone. Overall I see the Gators blitzing Bradford and giving him the happy feet and forcing a few turnovers. Similar to Texas vs. Ohio St. I expect this game to start somewhat slowly as both teams feel each other out, then Florida to take the game over. It should be a great one to watch and as this total continues to climb lower I’m tempted to lay off of it. 70 points is a lot for a championship game and the only way it gets there is with a huge 4^th quarter from one team making a comeback.

Prediction:

Florida-42

Oklahoma-24

Call me square for taking Florida but thats the way I capped the game and I'm sticking to it

GL guys

OU keeps scoring the entire game, UF gets a KO return or two. 

51-41 UF

Kudos for a great season

Appreciated the info and will continue to monitor your thoughts for my own insight into my wagers

Keep up the great work

fla -3 1/2 and fla -5 1/2 - Just couldn't resist adding a little to the wager