That’s 3 for the SEC

The SEC showed it’s dominance, once again, over the college landscape last night as the conference won it’s 3rd consecutive national title in a row with Florida defeating OU 24-14. OU came into the game scoring at least 60 points it’s 5 last games of the season and set an NCAA record for most points scored in a season with 702. However, I suspected that Florida’s defense would probably be the reason they would win but didn’t know they would do as good a job against OU’s vaunted offense as they did.

Florida’s limited OU to only 14 points and forced 2 turnovers deep in their own territory. Oklahoma had a first-and-goal at the 9 midway through the second quarter and OU RB Chris Brown carried four straight times but the Gators held, twice stuffing him from the 1 yard line. The other turnover came with 10 second left in the first half and Bradford’s pass to Johnson was tipped at the goal line and intercepted by Florida. Those two turnovers proved to be the deciding factors. You just can’t get down on the opponent’s 1 yard line and goal line, respectively, and come away with nothing…not in the national championship game.

I also thought a special teams play might be a determining factor in the game and Florida didn’t let me down there either. With about 4 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, OU had a 4th down at the 32 yard line so Stoops trotted out the field goal team to attempt a 49 yard field goal. I really thought it was a given that OU would get the field goal so I was only half way paying attention to the play. However, Florida’s line busted through and blocked the attempt and recovered the ball. And even Florida didn’t gain many yards and had to punt the ball back, I little bit more of OU’s wind was taken out of their sail on that blocked punt. In the end, OU’s offense never really seems to get into the groove that they normally are accustomed to.

Even though I enjoyed watching a close national championship game between two college football powerhouses I do have to wonder how FOX, who has done NFL games for 15 years now, can roll out such a bush-league presentation of the national championship? And not really just last night’s game but all the BCS games FOX telecast were poor quality. The only exception I can think of was the Sugar Bowl only because Darryl Johnston and Kenny Albert did the game. But it wasn’t great.

The commentators, last night, didn’t seem all that interested in the game, got the down and distance wrong a couple of time and seemed over-the-top complimentary of Tim Tebow. Don’t get me wrong, I think Tebow is a great player and great role model but come on…the over praising of him was beginning to turn my stomach at bit. I’ll be looking forward to the BCS next season as ESPN will be telecasting the BCS games and we won’t be subject to the lackluster presentations FOX gave us.

The Heisman Trophy winner certainly hasn’t done very well this decade in the bowl game after they won the award, which has usually been the national championship game. Consider the following:

-‘00 Heisman winner, Chris Weinke of Florida St., lost to OU in the BCS Champ. game
-‘01 Heisman winner, Eric Crouch of Nebraska, lost to Miami in the BCS Champ. game
-‘03 Heisman winner, Jason White of OU, lost to USC in the BCS Champ. game
-‘05 Heisman winner, Reggie Bush of USC, lost to Texas in the BCS Champ. game
-‘06 Heisman winner, Troy Smith of Ohio St., lost to Florida in the BCS Champ. game
-‘08 Heisman winner, Sam Bradford of OU, lost to Florida in the BCS Champ. game

Only the ’04 Heisman winner, Matt Leinart of USC, won BCS Championship after winning the Heisman when USC beat OU.

The championship game is always bitter-sweet for me (as is the Super Bowl) as it signals the end of college football for another year. However, today sits a little better with me as the SEC is once again on top.