I've decided to start my new blog with a recap and review of this week's BCS Championship Game. Ohio State entered the game a media darling and the publics' overwhelming favorite. Despite a 52-day layoff, no one was giving the SEC Champion Florida Gators a puncher's chance.
The first 16 seconds of the game was all Ohio State as Ted Ginn, Jr. took the opening kickoff untouched for a 93-yard touchdown return. Along with the rest of the country, I thought the rout was on... and it was. It just wasn't the rout that was expected. Florida preceded to dismantle what was thought to be one of the best college football team's ever assembled, putting together as close to a perfect game as they possibly could have done. What followed was a 41-7 annihilation of THE Ohio State University.
Florida's speed and execution was simply too much for Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, to overcome. Smith looked as helpless and confused as he's ever looked. Not only were Smith's numbers very un-Heisman like, he had the lowest quarterback rating of any player in BCS history. Smith went 4-14 for 35 yards for the game. Florida had accomplished that by the end of the first quarter. Smith also through an interception and was sacked five times - one more time than he had completions. The Gators mounted an unprecedented assault on the Buckeyes that left them with the glazed look of a roused fighter after a knockout.
In addition to the on-field slaughter, the battle of the sidelines was dominant as well. Coach Jim Tressel looked as confused as his players, as he searched frantically for the answers on his laminated play-chart, while Urban Meyer was a bastion of confidence and poise. I'm not sure if any coach has ever prepared his team better for a game than he did. Their execution was flawless, and once they discovered that OSU's line couldn't match their speed, and that Tressel wasn't going to adjust their zone coverage, the Gators played without reservation.
The battle for conference supremacy will undoubtedly continue, but it's difficult to argue the SEC's claim. Like most conferences, the SEC has moved to a nine conference-game schedule, while the Big Ten has chosen to stay with an eight-game one. Florida's journey to the title went through Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Arkansas -- a veritable minefield -- their only loss coming at the hands of the Auburn Tigers. Ohio State didn't even have to play conference rival #7 Wisconsin (12-1) this season. And next season, Iowa won't face Michigan or Ohio State. Forgive my contempt when I say that the Big Ten is a joke.
The SEC has become it's own worst enemy. Getting through that conference unscathed is virtually impossible and for an SEC team to have a prayer in the championship game they better hope that there's only one undefeated team at the end of the season... sorry Boise State. You guys got hosed.
To wrap this up I'm going to give you the real final rankings. Here is The McKenzie Poll:
1. Florida (13-1)
2. LSU (11-2)
3. Boise State (13-0)
4. USC (11-2)
5. Wisconsin (12-1)
6. Ohio State (12-1)
7. Louisville (12-1)
8. Auburn (11-2)
9. Michigan (11-2)
10. West Virginia (11-2)
