What to Expect

How Teams Compare
There are some similarities between the two teams. Both teams have new coaches in their first year as a head coach. Both teams are 6-6, yet a Jan. 2 bowl game chose them because they have a dedicated fan base. Both teams have hired Urban Meyer, and he won't be coaching either team for this game. Statistically both teams average about 25 points/game and Ohio State averages 319 offense yards (195 rushing and 124 passing), while Florida averages 334 yards (144 rushing and 190 passing). Ohio State limits teams to 328 yards (142 rushing and 186 passing), while Florida limits teams to 299 yards (132 rushing and 167 passing).

What to Expect
It is safe to assume Florida will have a similar pro-style offense as implemented by Charlie Weis, despite the fact that he and his cane have left the team to coach at Kansas. The switch from the spread offense has not been a smooth transition. When Florida has won, it has won with the run. In the six wins it has averaged 226 rushing yards/game, while it was limited to 61 rushing yards in the six losses. Also in the six wins, the team is +1 in the turnover margin, while the team is -12 in the turnover margin in the six loses. Florida does not play well against a defense set to stop the run (look to the LSU and Alabama game), so Ohio State should be able to disrupt Florida's offensive plan. Look for Ohio State to get 225 rushing yards and 150 passing yards. Florida will be limited to 80 rushing yards and 130 passing yards. Look for Posey and Herron to both have big days, and Miller will shine. Ohio State will win 28-13.

Things to Watch

Changing of Guard
With the hiring of Urban Meyer, many of the assistant coaches will be looking for jobs after this bowl game. I expect the team to be refreshed and motivated, as the NCAA has finally made its ruling and Ohio State is not looking for a head coach. I think the old assistants will put forth a strong effort, as success in this game may make them more attractive on the job market. Additionally, some of the veteran coaches like Jim Heacock and Dick Tressel will want to retire on a high note.

Scouting the Gators

This Season

Florida started out the season with wins over Florida Atlantic (41-3), UAB (39-0), Tennessee (33-23), and Kentucky (48-10). Florida lost the next four conference games against Alabama (10-38), LSU (11-41), Auburn (6-17), and Georgia (20-24). Florida beat Vanderbilt (26-21), lost to South Carolina (12-17), beat Furman (54-32), and lost to Florida St. (7-21).
 

Offense

In his second season as the starter, John Brantley has completed 59% for 1912 yards, ten touchdowns, and six interceptions. Brantley ranks 4th in the nation with 14.48 yards/completion. Twelve different players have caught a pass for Florida, but the main receivers are Andre Debose, Deonte Thompson, Frankie Hammond Jr, and Quinton Dunbar. Thompson has 237 yards this season. Florida uses a duo at RB, with Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. Rainey has 790 rushing yards, and Demps has 539 rushing yards. Both can catch the ball and Rainey has 350 reception yards this season.

 

Defense

This unit ranks second in the nation, by limiting teams to 27% on third-down conversions. Jon Bostin leads the linebackers, and he he had a career-high 13 tackles against LSU. The secondary is young, with sophomore Matt Elam at safety and freshman safety De'Ante "Pop" Saunders and freshman CB Marcus Roberson. The defensive line is lead by seniors Jaye Howard and Omar Hunter, who have 41 starts between them.

 

OSU Last Game

The winning streak against Michigan came to an end, with a final score of 40-34. Ohio State scored first with 54-yard touchdown pass to Philly Brown, and Michigan scored on the next drive with a 41-yard run by QB Denard Robinson. Ohio State was unable to get out of the endzone and a hold resulted in a safety giving Michigan a 9-7 lead and the football. Robinson answered by moving the ball, and he threw a 26-yard touchdown. Drew Basil hit a 45-yard FG to make the score 16-10. Michigan fumbled the ball and Braxton Miller capped off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run. Robinson yet again answered the OSU TD with long drive and a touchdown run. Ohio State was able to take the lead once more in the first half, with a TD pass by Miller, and a score of 24-23. Early in the third quarter Robinson directed a touchdown drive, to give Michigan a 30-24 lead. Ohio State scored a FG after Michigan's punter botched the snap. Michigan responded by driving the ball 75-yards for another touchdown and a lead of 37-27. Miller lead the team down the field, and Boom Herron ran it in for a touchdown. Michigan moved the ball and Robinson appeared to run it in for a touchdown, but it was called back on two penalties by Michigan. Michigan settled for a 43-yard FG to increase the lead. Miller moved the ball for Ohio State, and on fourth down he was intercepted on a pass intended for Devin Smith. Miller had an impressive day with 100 rushing yards and 235 passing yards, but he was overshadowed by Robinson who had 170 rushing yards and 167 passing yards (completed 14 of 17).

The Series

This is the second game in this series, with Florida leading 1-0. Fans of both teams won't ever forget the 2007 Championship game, when a heavily favored Ohio State team with the Heisman Trophy winner, lost 41-14 in an ugly fashion to a hungry Florida team. Ohio State came out the gates strong with a 93-yard kickoff return TD by Ted Ginn Jr., but unfortunately he was hurt when celebrating the touchdown and he didn't make it back into the game. Florida responded with two touchdown drives in the first quarter, putting the score at 14-7. Early in the second quarter Florida and Ohio State had touchdown runs, with a score of 21-14. After that, Florida put the pedal down and scored 20 unanswered points to close out the game. Florida rushed for 156 compared to 47 yards for Ohio State. Florida had 214 passing yards and Ohio State had 35. Troy Smith had a rough day, going 4 of 14 with one interception.  

The Coaches

Luke Fickell
Luke Fickell is 6-6 in his first year as a head coach. Luke Fickell has been an assistant coach for 13 years. He was a graduate assistant at OSU under John Cooper in 1999. He was a defensive line coach at Akron from 2000-2001. Early in Jim Tressel's tenure at OSU, he hired Fickell as the special teams coordinator. He eventually coached the linebackers and was a co-defensive coordinator. Going into this season he was the assistant head coach, and was promoted in May to head coach, after Jim Tressel retired. Prior to coaching, Fickell was a four year starter for OSU, from 1992-1996. During his career, OSU was 41-8-1, won two Big Ten Championships and won the 1997 Rose Bowl. He started a school record 50 consecutive games. After graduation he spent one year on the injured reserve team for the New Orleans Saints.

 

Will Muschamp

Will Muschamp is 6-6 in his first season as the head coach at Florida. Muschamp was a four-year letterman at Georgia as a safety. He started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Auburn. He would coach a variety of defensive positions at West Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, Valdosta St., LSU, Miami (NFL), Auburn, and most recently as the defensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting at Texas.