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By J.T. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Staff Writer
SouthernPigskin.com Staff Writer J.T. Bennett SouthernPigskin.com Staff Writer J.T. Bennett looks at Texas and Florida.
The Florida Gators are working on their third BCS Championship Game berth in four years. The last couple of years, no program has been more dominating. The only year in the last three seasons Florida didn't make the national championship game, their iconic leader Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy.
Tebow's counterpart in many regards, Colt McCoy of Texas was a last second touchdown against Texas Tech, see Crabtree, away from going to Miami for the title game last season. McCoy instead watched Oklahoma lose to Florida in the championship game. McCoy and the Longhorns defeated that Sooner team in the Red River Shootout, although it wasn't much of one as UT won soundly by ten points.
The Texas faithful felt cheated - because they were, but the Longhorns have quietly held serve in the top three in the national polls this season. Texas is only three points behind Alabama in the AP poll. One could make the argument that the Longhorns, not the Crimson Tide or the Gators, have been the most consistent team all year. UT has destroyed all of their opponents, save rivals OU and Texas Tech who they defeated by a combined 17 points.
So what is the difference from last season? First they haven't gotten screwed. And secondly, defense. I know you are stunned; they do actually play defense in the Big XII. Maybe we should give you a minute. Defense wins championships, just ask Oklahoma. The Sooners brought the nation's top offense into last season's national title game against Florida and, running into an elite defense, were held to only 14 points. Texas currently ranks second in the nation in total defense. Florida is first.
Speaking of Florida, look at the Gators circa 2006. The Gators quietly stayed in the top ten with great defense and solid offensive play. Florida snuck into the national championship game and was pegged as the major underdog against Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The final score was 41-14, Gators.
I think Texas is in a similar situation to Florida in 2006. If the Longhorns win out and make the title game, and I don't see them losing anytime soon, they will enter the game as a likely underdog to the SEC Champion. Ironically enough the game would be played in Pasadena, where the Longhorns won the 2005 BCS Championship.
In 2006, that aforementioned Florida defense allowed 13.5 points per game. Texas is allowing 12.6 this fall.
Texas isn't going to slip into the national title game like Florida did in 2006; the Longhorns are going if they win out. I don't see see Cincinnati, TCU or Boise State jumping Texas. and UT does have an All-American quarterback in McCoy. He may not win the Heisman Trophy this year, but he might win something more valuable. Texas and McCoy are quite confident and continue to play great football as November closes. That said, Florida is playing great too. I think a Gator/Longhorn national title game is what everyone wanted at the beginning of the season, considering they were pre-season number one and two.
McCoy may not have the statistics we had last year, but he is quarterbacking a better football team. Texas finished the 2008 season ranked 51st in total defense.
A Tebow v McCoy matchup would be a game for the ages. Two legends who have had similar careers, have similar playing styles and two teams who mirror each other in many ways. It could make for one of the greatest college football games ever played.
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Alabama is 1st place in total defense this season then 2 and 3 are UF and Texas.
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