| 01 January 2012
The final game of today’s Big 10-SEC trifecta features the SEC’s favorite whipping boy, Ohio State, against the Florida Gators. Unlike the 2006 season, these two teams aren’t meeting in the marquee game of the season. Both teams had disappointing seasons and bring identical 6-6 records into this game.
Ohio State was rocked by NCAA violations that cost former coach Jim Tressel his job. The scandal also caused star quarterback Terrelle Pryor to leave school early for the NFL (where he was fittingly drafted by the Oakland Raiders), forcing the Buckeyes to rely on senior Joe Bauserman and highly-touted freshman Braxton Miller. Bauserman was ineffective, and while Miller showed flashes of his tremendous athletic ability, he’s still a true freshman in need of a lot of seasoning. The Buckeyes lost their final three games of the season, including their first loss to archrival Michigan in eight years.
Florida was one of the top teams of the past decade, winning two national titles under former coach Urban Meyer, who ironically was hired to coach the Buckeyes next season after stunningly retiring from Florida last year. In their first year without Meyer, the Gators struggled mightily, especially on offense. Senior John Brantley has been injured several times this season but was ineffective when he did play. His replacements have not done much better.
The Gators lost to every ranked team they faced and averaged a lowly 11.8 points and 232.2 yards against ranked opponents. In the season finale against Florida State, the Gators lost despite holding Florida State to 95 yards of offense. Florida committed four turnovers in the game. To make matters worse, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has left the program to become the head coach at Kansas.
Key matchup: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller vs. the Florida defense
Ohio State QB Braxton Miller (white) is pretty elusive
Miller is a phenomenal athlete and can make defenders look silly trying to tackle him. He’s also an unpolished true freshman who needs a lot of work in the passing game. Miller has done plenty of damage with his legs, though, as he has averaged over 90 yards rushing in his past five games. Florida will have to contain him and force him to beat them with his arm.
Why you should watch: These two teams were among the premier programs in all of college football over the past eight years. Florida won two national titles while Ohio State won one and lost two other championship games. Both teams want to use this game as a springboard for next season. Both Ohio State and Florida have significant questions, so you may want to tune in and see if you can spy a glimmer of hope for next year. Braxton Miller can make some incredible plays with his tremendous athletic ability.
Why you shouldn’t watch: This isn’t 2006, and neither team is anywhere close to being a national championship contender. Both teams have significant question marks and have a lot of rebuilding to do. Where have you gone Troy Smith and Tim Tebow? Both teams are dreadful on offense. Florida is 102nd out of 120 teams in total offense, and Ohio State is even worse at 107th. This is going to be an ugly, boring game. It very well could be a 2-0 game.
Prediction: Ohio State has been stung by SEC teams before, but it won’t happen this year. While both teams have issues, Ohio State has fewer of them. The Buckeyes have a decent defense and a strong running game while Florida has serious quarterback issues. Ohio State has also knocked off a couple of ranked teams this year while Florida has lost to every ranked opponent it has faced. It won’t be pretty, but the Buckeyes will pull this one out.
