Score Atlanta’s Scott Janovitz, who’s known as The Brain around these parts, brings you the third installment of The Brainstorm BCS Title Game blog.
Though both teams had memorable 2008 campaigns, what they accomplished over that 13-week span will matter little come Jan. 8. The way in which the Sooners and Gators breezed through their second-half schedules will no longer count for anything. The outcome of the showdown next Thursday will be decided by matchups between the two teams, plain and simple. With that in mind, for today’s Brainstorm session, I’d like to take a look at four intriguing matchups that could have considerable impact in determining that game’s winner.
Tim Tebow vs. Oklahoma run defense: This is a matchup to keep on eye on for two reasons. First, Tebow’s phenomenal ability to move the ball on the ground has been well documented over the last three years, as the Gator signal caller has amassed 1,928 yards rushing to go along with 43 touchdowns. What has not been covered as closely, however, is the way in which the Sooner defense has struggled this year defending quarterbacks on the run. Washington’s Jake Locker and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy managed 44 and 31 yards against Oklahoma, respectively, while Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson ran for 90 yards and one score more than a month after Baylor’s Robert Griffin torched the Sooner ‘D’ for 102 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Slowing Tebow down does not necessarily mean limiting his total yards rushing, but rather containing the quarterback on big third downs, where the junior has thrived running the football for the Gators all year long.
Juaquin Iglesias vs. Joe Haden/Janoris Jenkins: Quarterback Sam Bradford may get nearly all the credit, but Iglesias is no doubt Oklahoma’s featured big-play threat and, if the Sooners win, he will almost certainly have had a big day. And even though some have questioned the competition Oklahoma has faced this year, the Sooners did do battle with six ranked opponents this season and Iglesias shined throughout, averaging 97.5 yards receiving in those contests. If you take out his 28-yard performance against Texas Tech, the senior wideout’s average jumps to 111.4 yards receiving per game. He also scored six touchdowns in those games, a one-score per game average.
The Gators have two fantastic cover corners in Jenkins and Haden and both play a physical brand of football. Keep in mind, however, Jenkins is a true freshman while Haden is only a true sophomore, meaning Florida must overcome its youth to contain the veteran Iglesias.
Oklahoma special teams vs. KR/PR Brandon James: There is no easier way to demoralize your opponent than by scoring quick touchdowns. Whether it’s a turnover for seven or a special-teams return, responding to quick points can be tough. And, on Thursday, both teams will try with all their might to limit their opponents’ big plays.
It just so happens that Florida possesses one of the nation’s most dynamic big-play threats in kick returner/punt returner Brandon James. James is one of the country’s leaders in returning kicks (687 total yards on the year) and punts (509 total yards on the year) and has returned one of each for a score this year.
What makes this matchup an even bigger point of emphasis is the way in which Oklahoma has struggled defending in these departments throughout the season. The Sooners rank 105th out of 120 teams in kickoff coverage and 116th in punting, averaging a measly 36.37 net yards per punt. If Oklahoma cannot figure out a way to contain James, it could quickly become a long night for the Sooners.
Jermaine Gresham vs. Florida strongside linebacker/safety: No matter who covers Oklahoma’s talented tight end, expect to see Gresham thrown to early and often. In addition to recording 888 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on the year, Gresham has averaged an impressive 86.3 yards receiving this season against ranked opponents. His size (6-foot-6, 261 pounds) can be imposing and may give the Gators fits.
Florida’s linebackers, especially MLB Brandon Spikes and SAM ‘backer Dustin Doe, excel in pass coverage, but there is more to shutting Gresham down than just that. Spikes will focus most of his attention on the Sooner ground attack while Doe, despite his pass-coverage exploits, is a bit undersized to tangle with the big tight end, standing at only 6 feet. As a result, you may see 6-foot-2, 210-pound free safety Will Hill matched up with Gresham and, though Hill has all the speed and physicality to stay with the junior tight end, he is a true freshman and could be taken advantage of.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
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