BCS National Championship: Gators’ game plan? Sack OU's Sam Bradford
Florida defense vs. OU offense: Florida wants to do what others couldn’t do — get to Bradford

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Two years ago in the national title game, Florida encountered a Heisman quarterback who experienced few sacks in his career.

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BCS Championship
→When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday

→Where: Dolphin Stadium, Miami

→TV: FOX (Cox 12)

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But in that game, Florida’s speedy defensive front overwhelmed Ohio State’s offensive line and sacked Troy Smith five times.

The pressure led to Smith’s total undoing. He completed just four passes for 35 yards as Florida rolled to a dominating 41-14 victory over the Buckeyes.

In Thursday’s BCS National Championship, the Gators will see another Heisman winner in Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who rarely needs to check his pants for grass stains, thanks to a tremendous pass-blocking offensive line.

"If he’s getting to his third or fourth receivers, we are in big trouble,” said Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong. "He’s had a lot of time back there, and that’s one of the things we’re really looking at and working on. He hardly ever gets hit, and they haven’t given up many sacks.

"It’s going to be critical for us: Can we rush the quarterback and get pressure on him?”

Like it was in 2006, the answer to that question could prove to be the determining factor in the outcome of the game.

"He don’t get hit. At all,” said Florida safety Ahmad Black.

"His jersey is clean all the time. He needs to be dirty, especially playing against us. If we play against a quarterback who’s clean after the day, that’s not good.

"Pressure him and hit him. That’s a big key to the game.”

But this time around, Florida faces a steeper challenge in harassing Bradford, sacked just nine times all season.

In fact, only the service academy quarterbacks from Air Force, Army and Navy, option offenses that rarely pass, were sacked fewer times than Bradford.

That’s even more impressive considering the Sooners faced Texas and TCU, ranked first and second nationally in sacks.

"We don’t like Sam being touched,” said Phil Loadholt, OU’s left tackle. "We want to keep him pretty clean back there.”

Moreover, the Gators won’t be bringing the same caliber defensive front they did in 2006, when they boasted speedy defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Jarvis Moss, both eventual NFL first-round draft picks.

"You can’t compare the defensive fronts from 2006 to now,” Strong said. "The level of speed was a lot different.

"But we’re still going to have to get pressure with the guys we have and go play.”

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The other thing to remember, those of you mentioning watching tape of WVU vs. Loadholt, is that OU has a HUGE advantage over Alabama at the QB position. Alabama and OU run the ball at a very similar level. The problems arose for Bama when they had to throw. JPW is a nice QB. He is NOT Sam Bradford. That advantage alone makes this opportunity look much more positive than some in the media would suggest.

Chris, Hesston - Jan 7, 2009 at 12:48 pm

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Did Florida beat Bama, oh yea, so did miss lol.

Joe Bob, Norman - Jan 5, 2009 at 6:14 pm

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Gee how much does Meyer get paid to think up that innovative strategy?

how about making more touchdowns, thats a good plan, throwing and running the ball, special teams run backs and stops.

Hire me florida, i had 4 more ideas than FU coaches lol.

Joe Bob, Norman - Jan 5, 2009 at 6:12 pm

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I would bet the Gator's watched a little of the W.V. game film and saw how easy it was to get around Loadholt. Sack city that night.

jo, edmond - Jan 5, 2009 at 5:57 pm

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Oh, and as for Troy Smith and Ohio St., there is no comparison. The Big 10 is a dinosaur conference. Sam and OU have been facing pressure all year, and playing against crazy good and fast offenses.

I don't think FL brings anything to the table athletically that OU hasn't seen. They aren't bigger. They aren't faster. They aren't smarter. It will just be whether OU can go out and execute on that given night, and whether Wilson and Venables get outcoached again in a big game.

John, Wheat Ridge - Jan 5, 2009 at 4:59 pm

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What a news flash: Line play wins games.

OU needs two things on offense: 1. A well thought-out game plan that has packages for what Florida might throw at them. Wilson's inability to adjust in a lot of games is the offense's biggest weakness. It would be even better, naturally, if Wilson anticipates and comes out with packages and formations FL hasn't prepared for so that the offense can seize the momentum/initiative. 2. Execution.

John, Wheat Ridge - Jan 5, 2009 at 4:54 pm

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Moses Madu should shine if they can get to Sam. He should be able to run right past the pressure. I hope it is the Brown and Madu show. Run it down their throat.

ED, MULESHOE - Jan 5, 2009 at 4:05 pm

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Moses Madu should shine if they can get to Sam. He should be able to run right past the pressure. I hope it is the Brown and Madu show. Run it down their throat.

ED, MULESHOE - Jan 5, 2009 at 4:04 pm

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TCU's excellent defense couldn't stop OU. Florida wont have any success either. The OU offensive line is too good to allow Bradford to be gotten to. It will be a humbling experience for the Gators.

mark, oklahoma city - Jan 5, 2009 at 2:37 pm

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I believe Florida is in a tough situation. Their defense will have to set itself up initially to stop either the run or the pass. Since OU excels at both, common sense tells me OU could dominate. The only question is how high the players can get for this game. They need to be at a fever pitch.

Rick, Eugene - Jan 5, 2009 at 2:37 pm

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I believe Florida is in a tough situation. Their defense will have to set itself up initially to stop either the run or the pass. Since OU excels at both, common sense tells me OU could dominate. The only question is how high the players can get for this game. They need to be at a fever pitch.

Rick, Eugene - Jan 5, 2009 at 2:36 pm

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Tony, I appreciate your sentiment, cause I get your idea. That being said, OU is NOT Bama. We have an offense that can score more than 30. But yes, I do fear the blitz effect Florida can have with their speed.

Chris, Hesston - Jan 5, 2009 at 2:34 pm

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after all that is said and done lets hope florida doesnt pull a "utah kinda game plans" on us.

if OU's offense is as good as advertise we should have a clean kick at the gators butts.

GO SOONERS!!!

Tony, glendale - Jan 5, 2009 at 1:51 pm

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I have to believe that Coach Stoops has the team ready. They will play solid, tuff, heads up football and Florida will be trying to figure out what happened.....I would love for the defensive line to sack Tebow at least 2 or 3 times and the offensive line needs to continue to protect Bradford just like they have all year long. Go SOONERS......

Grace, Las Cruces - Jan 5, 2009 at 1:27 pm

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Janet. Troy Smith is the backup QB at Baltimore. He played a couple of snaps yesterday, just as a change of pace guy. He doesnt play really, but its still pretty good to be an NFL backup. There are only 32 of them in the league. Sam will be a 1st round pick, but that doesnt guaranty anything. Lots of top QB picks havent even been able to maintain backup roles.

matt, Moore - Jan 5, 2009 at 12:24 pm

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I agree william, line play is the key to the whole game. The lines fail for either team they are doomed.

KEITH, North Charleston - Jan 5, 2009 at 12:17 pm

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Okay guys remember last year with all the praise about the offensive line and how they performed against West Virginia. The offensive line MUST PERFORM against Florida and allow Bradford time to hit the open receivers. If they do that OU will be fine. Not too much thought to say that but it is true. The defensive line must put pressure on Tebow but yet not allow him running lanes. Another simple thought but also true. Line play wins games it is that simple.

William, Fairfield - Jan 5, 2009 at 12:12 pm

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I put my money on Sam solving the Florida defense ( find holes in it ) before they can stop or slow down the no huddle.

KEITH, North Charleston - Jan 5, 2009 at 11:51 am

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Florida defense will be guessing about the no huddle at the beginnning anyway until the can figure out timing, plays, etc. assuming they are able to do that before we get 14 or 21 points ahead of them they might not be able to catch on in time to make it a game. OU's best chance is to strike early and often until Florida solves the no huddle, if they ever do.

KEITH, North Charleston - Jan 5, 2009 at 11:49 am

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Waterford Crystal declared bankruptcy today. So BCS crystal football will probably be made of plastic or wood next year.

KEITH, North Charleston - Jan 5, 2009 at 11:44 am

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How much is OU like Ohio State of 2006? I hope OU is better! That comparison is scary but I haven't heard of Troy Smith since that game.

Janet, Oklahoma City - Jan 5, 2009 at 11:22 am

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I would like to see Sam use the shovel-pass a couple of times, to counter-act their speedy defense. If they're always coming, then we need to be running at them, run by them as they pass. Some mis-direction plays might be good too - end-arounds and such. But I would pass on 1st & 2nd down, and run on 3rd, and switch it around so their defense is always guessing, and always guessing wrong about what OU has planned. I might even have a couple of direct snaps to the half-back, some quarterback draws, and such. I haven't seen a tackle-eligible pass play in a long-long time. Don't even think about the Statue of Liberty or flea-flicker. Those plays are almost dead now. But a halfback pass might be OK. I might let the backup quarterback in a few plays during the game, to kind of mess with Florida's mind. i defintely would present some wrinkles and let them figure out what to do with them.

Mike, Oklahoma City - Jan 5, 2009 at 11:00 am

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You guys may think Im nuts, but we may see more power football. Alabama was able to run the ball successfully against them and the common practice is to beat speed with missdirection, or by running right at it. Their D line is smaller and quicker, so wouldnt it be a mistake to sit in shotgun or try to run outside? Use the size, mash them up front and take it 3 yards at a time. Then, when they start cheating inside, you will have slowed them down a step and you can do some other things.

matt, Moore - Jan 5, 2009 at 10:56 am

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Tom, the answer to that is to use motion (primarily with Gresham) or a back to chip that end to help Loadholt off the edge. Move the TE in to chip the DE before getting into his route and allow Phil to get that first step while still holding his inside leverage. Or they can stay in a true spread formation and use a back to ensure that the edge isn't broken by the speed. Look at what Williams did for Tech against Okher. Not much. True speed isn't always the best thing to have. If Phil's feet work right, he's fine.

Chris, Hesston - Jan 5, 2009 at 10:24 am

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Who is their defensive right end? That is important in this game. If he is smaller and fast, Loadholt may be in for a long night.

tom, Lawton - Jan 5, 2009 at 10:14 am

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I agree Chris, the no-huddle allows them to force the defense to tip its hand, so they can beat blitzes. NFL teams combat this by waiting to the last second to change up the defense. That may be too sophisticated for this level, though they have had time to prepare.

matt, Moore - Jan 5, 2009 at 10:11 am

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The thing I like about Sam versus the blitz is; he'll beat the blitz. If he sees it, he'll find a hot route. The key will be; can Florida get there with four? That's what TCU did and Texas too. If they can create pressure with four, then they'll have something going. This OU offense is too explosive to leave guys open with the blitz. Especially with a QB this good.

Chris, Hesston - Jan 5, 2009 at 10:07 am

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Florida will try to overload one side and use speed to beat our size. Make no mistake guys, they have some speed. This is going to be a tough game. If we were still huddling and running offense like last year, I beleive we would lose this game against a smaller/faster defense. What the no-huddle brings is the ability to prevent the defense from settling in and give yourself time to get yourself in the right play.

matt, Moore - Jan 5, 2009 at 8:59 am

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Any moron knows that's what Florida will try to do. Every team OU has played has tried to do it.

KEITH, North Charleston - Jan 5, 2009 at 6:39 am

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Troy Smith was no Sam Bradford. Apples and Oranges. Strong admits his defense isn't the speedy one that faced Ohio State that day. OU's offense has a much better chance than Ohio State did against Florida defense. It's not like the teams OU beat didn't try to pressure or sack Bradford. Sam will do what he does to deliver. I think its more up the receivers to get open and stay open. That's the game.

KEITH, North Charleston - Jan 5, 2009 at 6:37 am

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OU will stuff the run and when Florida has to pass to survive it'll get fugly! # 8 is coming to Norman!

Bill, Columbus - Jan 5, 2009 at 6:27 am

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This is not Ohio State! And Troy Smith is no Bradford. Totally overrated, and a bust in the NFL.

Bob, Signal Hill - Jan 5, 2009 at 2:36 am

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I think this could end up being the game. I remember what happened to Troy Smith. OU cant allow Florida to do that again.

Fred, Oklahoma City - Jan 5, 2009 at 12:41 am

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I think this could end up being the game. I remember what happened to Troy Smith. OU cant allow Florida to do that again.

Fred, Oklahoma City - Jan 5, 2009 at 12:41 am

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