Defense…No! Offense….No! Special Teams Wins Championships

Tonight is the big game. Oklahoma and Florida square off to earn the title of national champion. A great match-up of two teams, two great offenses and two great coaches in Bob Stoops and Urban Meyer. In predicting games like this with such great teams involved, its difficult to pin point enough reasons why one team might win over the other. Both teams have great quarterbacks in Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford, both Heisman trophy winners and born leaders. They will each lead their teams to impressive days offensively. Both teams will put points on the board and make plays.

The keys of the game will come down to Defense and Special Teams. The little things down on each side to prevent big plays and game-changing moments from happening could very well decide the game. Even as a former quarterback, offensive minded and confident that offenses are what drive football teams, it truly is defense and special teams that win championships.

The Florida Gators have one of the best defenses in the country. But Oklahoma has faced charges of their league being the weakest defensive league in Division I. Look for OU to come out tough and aggressive at the beginning, looking to shot down the shotgun running game. OU will be motivated to make a statement. Florida, on the other hand, will start out brusing Oklahoma like they haven’t felt all year. Florida puts heavy hitters in the middle of the field in linebacker Brandon Spikes and safeties Major Wright and Ahmad Black. They will attack Bradford and get the OU receivers to think twice before coming over the middle.

In Special Teams, the Gators have the advantage, as the Sooners have been poor on kickoff return coverage this year, ranked 106th nationally. “Florida, meanwhile, ranks eighth nationally in net punting and punt returns and has missed only one field goal and one extra point. Return man Brandon James has taken two punts to the house this season and has had eight kickoff returns longer than 30 yards.” According to ESPN.

But when all the numbers are crunched, the hype overhyped and the lights set, it comes down to the game itself. And its going to be a good one. My prediction…Flordia 38, Oklahoma 24.