How To Control Mr. Mo (mentum)

One of the most interesting wildcards of any sports game is the concept of momentum. When things seem to be going your way, or the way of the opposing team, its seems like there is almost a force working against you and it is difficult to stop. Newton’s Law that objects in motion tend to stay in motion seems to somehow apply. To control momentum or maintain it is a sports trick that many have tried to master.

Big plays always create momentum. At times, a game hinges on it. Drawing the crowd to its feet with cheers or giving your team hope that they will succeed, that hope can be deflated just a quickly when the other team makes a great play.

I once heard that focused intensity over time will create momentum. The momentum changes that I watched in the Florida, Oklahoma game last night made a significant difference in the game. But what was impressive to me was the focused intensity of Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators. Even though the game did not start out the way they wanted it to, Tebow had two interceptions and they were tied at half time, their focused intensity eventually gave them the chance to break through the wall of the formidable Oklahoma Sooners.

The breakthrough came in the third quarter when Tim Tebow took over and had two hard nosed running plays for first downs. He ignited the crowd with his excitement and created momentum for his team. He led them down the field for a score to go up 14-7. Equally impressive was Sam Bradford who then talk the ball and marched down the field. But the key to the game, and my prediction, was the defense and special teams of Floriday. On 3rd and 1, after the Sooners had been consistently driving, the Gator defense said “no more” and shut the run down, forcing a field goal attempt. The Gator special teams then blocked the field goal attempt, stifling a return score by the Sooners.

Oklahoma tried to steal momentum after a fourth quarter touchdown, but Percy Harvin and the Gators responded with a huge drive that gained the momentum back. An amazing interception by the Gator defense essentially sealed the Sooners fate.

Florida was able to control the majority of the momentum in the football game by making big plays when they needed to and keeping Bradford and the Sooners from responding. While my score prediction was a little high, the defense and special teams of the Gators were the important pieces put together for a BCS National Championship trophy. What a finish to the NCAA college football season.