BCS National Championship Preview: Florida vs. Oklahoma

3 Reasons why Florida will win:
1. Speed
Florida is easily the fastest team in the country. Oklahoma needs to account for everybody that Florida puts out on the field with the threat to take one all the way at anytime. That's Percy Harvin, Jeff Demps, Louis Murphy, Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody, and Brandon James.We know Urban Meyer will try to spread the field and use their speed to his advantage and also try to get his speedsters the ball in space.

2. Defense
Florida has one of the best defenses in the country. Oklahoma has faced some poor defenses all season long in the Big 12. Florida creates a ton of pressure up front and their LBs are among the best in the nation lead by Brandon Spikes. Don't count out the secondary, they have some speed as well and will fly around and smack you in the mouth.

3. Tim Tebow
Tebow's already won a Heisman and more importantly, a national title. It doesn't help that OU has been talking some trash, more specifically at Tebow. He's the guy you don't want to mess around with. Tebow will beat you with his legs and even his arm. He's a better QB than he's ever been and he can hurt you in so many ways.

3 Reasons why Oklahoma will win:
1. Offense
Oklahoma can spread you out as well. They have some big-time playmakers on their side and Sam Bradford can pick you apart all day. They can throw in front of you or even go long. Jermaine Gresham is arguably the best TE in the country and could pose some match-up problems for the Florida defense. The Sooners have some quality skill position players and will use it to their advantage.

2. The Trenches
Specifically on the offensive end, OU has one of the best lines in the country. Lead by All-American OT Duke Robinson and Big 12 1st-teamers C Jon Cooper and OT Phil Loadholt have dominated all season long. They've only given up 11 sacks all season. I give them a slight advantage over the Florida D-Line.

3. Senior Leadership
Florida only has two senior starters, both on offense and only two starters back from the 2006 BCS National Championship team (LT Phil Trautwein and Percy Harvin); plus, only a handful of players back whom actually played in that game. OU has 8 senior starters. Safety Nic Harris will start the 50th game of his career and the o-line has a combined 170 total starts. Experience is always a big key.

Prediction:
Florida 34 Oklahoma 20

Oklahoma hasn't seen a defense as good as Florida's all season long. Florida's speed could offset just about everything else in this game. Florida is ready and Tim Tebow is furious after losing the Heisman to Bradford and the comments coming from the Oklahoma players. Florida has an advantage just about everywhere in this game. They have better depth, coaching, speed, special teams, defense, and even offense. Plus, RB DeMarco Murray and DT DeMarcus Granger are both out.

The Big XII is overrated, as has shown this bowl season. Texas squeaked by Ohio St., Texas Tech got pounded by Ole Miss and Oklahoma St. was upset by Oregon, while the SEC is sitting 5-1 in their bowl games. The SEC has definitely shown they are the best conference once again and they haven't lost in the BCS National title game with a 3-0 record. Look for that trend to continue after Thursday night.

Singing the BCS Bowl Blues

I'm not exactly sure why, but I care the least about the bowl season than I ever have before. Maybe, it's because my Hawkeyes didn't make a bowl, or maybe it's because I didn't enroll in enough "bowl pick 'ems". I just feel like they're pointless.

Truth be told the bowl games aren't pointless. They're obviously playing for something (recruiting, respect, love of the game, scholarship money, etc.). However this year the games just seem to lack the great games and strong matchups that the average to above-average college football fan can get into.

I've been especially disappointed with the BCS games. With the first three games all being runaways I've been extremely disappointed. I also don't foresee a very good game tonight between the Hokies and the Jayhawks. To be honest I think the VT's D will stifle KU while gashing the Jayhawks with the run and we could be looking at another potentially lopsided score. The only way the the BCS could save itself here would be if the National Championship game became an instant classic.

To me it sems that college football is in need of a playoff system now more than ever. The BCS bowl games just seem to have last their glamor. The matchups aren't there like they used to be and I'm ready to be done with it. Obviously some of the bowl games have been good. You look at a Wisconsin vs. Tennessee or a Clemson vs. Auburn matchup and you just know it's going to be a good game. The BCS games are bigger. They're higher stakes, and they have a higher draw. Sure, way more people tuned it and attended Hawaii vs. Georgie, or Illinois vs. USC than did Purdue vs. Central Michigan or ECU vs. Boise St, but looking back which would you have rather watched? Do you prefer the bigstage blowout or the great matchup that's fun to watch? At this point I care not about the bowls, which "at large" teams make it, or which conference champs play who. I just want to see a good game. I think the average fan probably feels the same as well. Most college football fans have one or two favorite schools. There are 32 bowl games with featuring 64 teams. So, what is going to make someone want to tune into more than 2 or 3 bowl games? The answer is great games with great matchups.

Oh how I would love to have a Mizzou vs. VTech game, or a WVU vs. USC matchup. But, we can't always get what we want I guess. But for the record, I want a playoff and I want good football.

College Football Bowl Predictions

This is day 2 of our bowl predictions. Enjoy...

Humanitarian Bowl

Georgia Tech vs. Fresno St.

TSF's Take: Two words: Tashard Choice

Sun Bowl
South Florida vs. Oregon

TSF's Take: Oregon hasn't been the same since the loss of Dennis Dixon and the Bulls have some impressive recent wins.

Music City Bowl

Kentucky vs. Florida St.

TSF's Take: Kentucky can beat anyone, Andre Woodson will not let his college career end in a loss.

Insight Bowl
Indiana vs. Oklahoma St.

TSF's Take: This is pretty much a toss=up, so I'll take Big 12 over Big Ten almost anyday.

Chick-fil-a Bowl

Clemson vs. Auburn

TSF's Take: Auburn has too much fire power for Clemson

Outback Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Tennesse

TSF's Take: Another SEC Sr. QB, Erik Ainge, won't let his college career end in a loss. Tennessee's young D has stepped up and come a long ways since the beginning of the season.

Cotton Bowl
Missouri vs. Arkansas

TSF's Take: This is a tough pick for me, really, but something tells me Darren McFadden is gonna have a huge game, especially after finishing 2nd in the Heisman race.

Gator Bowl

Texas Tech vs. Virginia

TSF's Take: I like Tech's passing game and VA has had a tough time stopping the pass at times this season.

Captial One Bowl
Florida vs. Michigan

TSF's Take: Florida is the best non-BCS Bowl team, and this young team will be flying high into 2008...

Rose Bowl

USC vs. Illinois

TSF's Take: We're seeing the USC team we'd thought we'd see at the beginning of the year right now. USC just has too much experience, talent, and coaching for the Illini.

Sugar Bowl

Hawaii vs. Georgia

TSF's Take: Hawaii, meet Knowshon Moreno...

Fiesta Bowl
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma

TSF's Take: Who's been more impressive than OU lately? I like the Sooners.

Orange Bowl
Kansasvs. Virginia Tech

TSF's Take: KU doesn't even belong in a BCS Bowl. V-Tech has too much talent and depth, special teams wins it for Beamer's Hokies.

International Bowl
Rutgers vs. Ball St.

TSF's Take: Ball St.'s in a bowl game? Ray Rice and co. roll...

GMAC Bowl
Bowling Green vs. Tulsa

TSF's Take: Tulsa is a tough, physical team with a good offense and Bowling Green lost to Minnesota...

BCS National Championship
Ohio St. vs. LSU

TSF's Take: We will have our preview and prediction for this game in January!

What are your thoughts on the bowl games?

College Football Bowl Predictions

This is day one of 2 for TSF's Bowl predictions. Being there are 32 bowl games, we'll divide them up with two posts.

Poinsettia Bowl

Utah vs. Navy

TSF's Take: Navy has a stellar rushing game and Utah's Defense is vulnerable but Utah is far more athletic and I have a feeling Utah will play like they did in their 44-6 win over UCLA.

New Orleans Bowl
Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic

TSF's Take: Memphis just has more depth and talent

Papajohns.com Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Cincinnati

TSF's Take: Cincy has had some impressive wins and they have a high octane offense.

New Mexico Bowl
Nevada vs. New Mexico

TSF's Take: I like Nevada's poise and physicality

Las Vegas Bowl
UCLA vs. BYU

TSF's Take: BYU is underrated. Their offense can put up points and their defense is stellar.

Hawaii Bowl
Boise St. vs. East Carolina

TSF's Take: Boise has way too much talent and overall experience.

Motor City Bowl
Purdue vs. Central Michigan

TSF's Take: CMU has too soft of a defense and Purdue will be able to expose that.

Holiday Bowl
Arizona St. vs. Texas

TSF's Take: ASU doesn't have many big wins and they've folded everytime vs. big-time teams.

Champ Sports Bowl
Boston College vs. Michigan St.

TSF's Take: Matt Ryan should be the difference.

Texas Bowl
TCU vs. Houston

TSF's Take: I like TCU's overall talent and coaching better than Houston's.

Emerald Bowl
Maryland vs. Oregon St.

TSF's Take: Oregon St. has been impressive lately and should take down the sub-average Terrapins.

Meineke Car Care Bowl
UConn vs. Wake Forest

TSF's Take: Wake's Offense is too much for the overrated Huskies to handle.

Liberty Bowl
UCF vs. Mississippi St.

TSF's Take: Mississippi St. doesn't have much of an offense and UCF nearly knocked of Texas.

Alamo Bowl
Penn St. vs. Texas A&M

TSF's Take: Texas A&M has struggled in bowls in recent years, I can't even remember the last time PSU lost a bowl game...

Independence Bowl
Alabama vs. Colorado

TSF's Take: Nick Saban cannot afford a loss here. Alabama wants it more.

Armed Forces Bowl
California vs. Air Force

TSF's Take: Air Force will be more prepared. Cali has dropped off the map.

Come back tomorrow night for the other 16 bowl predictions.

BCS Bowl Predictions

TSF's comprehensive 2007 NCAA Football Preview concludes with the BCS Bowl Predictions.

USC vs. West Virginia
USC should run the table even with a semi-tough schedule. WVA has a very good chance to finish undefeated even with games at Rutgers and South Florida, their offense will be too explosive.

Wisconsin vs. Florida
Wisconsin will be one of the best teams in the country and will finish 11-1 and and win the Big Ten. I see Florida finishing 10-3, but still earning a BCS Bowl bid with some impressive wins.

LSU vs. Michigan
LSU has a very good chance at finishing undefeated but something tells me they will lose to either V-Tech or Alabama, which will keep them out of the title game. Michigan will finish 2nd in the Big Ten and winds up in the Sugar Bowl with no fit in any of the others.

Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Something tells me that V-Tech may just be playing in the BCS Title Game, but I can't make up my mind about their game at LSU. As of right now I see them finishing 12-1 with winning the ACC. Louisville has to play at WVA and S. FLA and should falter at least in one of those games.

Texas vs. Hawaii
I see Texas winning the Big 12 and Hawaii finishing undefeated with one of the easiest schedules in the country.

What are your BCS Bowl Predictions?