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Success Likely To Hinge On Gators' Defense

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By JOE HENDERSON

jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 7, 2009

MIAMI - The numbers read like somebody just made them up for laughs, because no one can be this good. The Oklahoma Sooners set an NCAA record this season by scoring 702 points. They have scored at least 58 in their last six games. Quarterback Sam Bradford threw 48 touchdown passes.

Stop them? No one has even come close.

They are football's answer to March Madness, a frenetic, fast-breaking team that doesn't huddle and doesn't stop. As University of Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong noted, "They're averaging anywhere from 85 to 90 plays a game, so it's more tempo. What we've been trying to do, it's hard to really practice, just to simulate just getting those plays in."

Thursday night, the simulation stops and the real thing starts when the Gators and Oklahoma meet in the BCS Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium. Don't look away when the Sooners have the ball; you might miss three plays. The Gators might have a little surprise waiting, though. Lost in the gushing over OU's madcap offense is the fact that defense is a major strength of the Gators.

"It's probably one of the best, if the not the best, defenses we'll face all year," Bradford said. "They're very athletic, they're very fast. Their front four are great; they push the pocket. We're going to have to be ready."

There might be another angle in play, as well. If Florida can slow down the unstoppable machine, Strong might start finding doors open for a head coaching shot. Success on this stage tends to attract that kind of attention. Strong is probably overdue for the chance to run his own show.

"Charlie has every quality you'd want in a head coach," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "I don't want to lose him, but coaching, in my opinion, is about seventh in terms of what makes a good coach. Leadership, strong family values, a guy that can recruit - he has it all."

He has led a remarkable turnaround. We recall how Florida's defense collapsed last year, leading to a frustrating 9-4 finish. Not this time. The Gators rank fifth nationally in scoring defense, first in the Southeastern Conference. They allow fewer than 300 total yards per game.

"They're tearing it up out there, but I feel like this will be a defensive game. Defense wins championships," Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes said. "So I feel like whosever defense comes, who comes to play, and shows up and gets stops and causes turnovers, I feel like will win the game. Whosever defense plays better will win the game.

"Offense sells tickets and defenses win championships."

So goes the theory. On Thursday night, we'll find out if that's really true.

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