From the Dec. 29, 1978 Toledo Blade. Shockling ironic in hindsight.
With Urban Meyer scouring the country stealing recruits and hiring new coaches and Buckeye Nation turning its eyes toward the 2012 season, it is easy to forget that we’ve still got a bowl to play. No, the Gator Bowl doesn’t provide the BCS glitz that Buckeye fans have become accustomed to over the years but it does provide the chance to notch a winning season and rinse out lingering BCS Championship frustrations.
Like the Buckeyes, the Gators are coming off a rough year and facing the possibility of their first losing season since the late ’70s. Florida coach Will Muchamp is struggling to rebuild a program somewhat decimated after the loss of their all-star quarterback. A win in the Gator Bowl would provide a much needed momentum boost as they head into the 2012 season.
Florida Offense
Florida offensive coordinator and former Notre Dame flop Charlie “insert joke here” Weis has left to start a five step year program at Kansas. Running back coach Brian White will be stepping in to call the plays. Weis has given the Gators nothing to brag about in the way of offensive play calling during the past season and White knows that this is his audition for the full-time position. It will be interesting to see if he takes an aggressive approach or settles back into a conservative, Jim Bollman style offense.
Florida quarterback Johnny Brantley has tried his hardest to fill the giant shoes left by his predecessor and he’s had his moments. He’s also been susceptible to fairly significant downfalls. As a senior, Mushamp has tagged Brantley as the starting quarterback but that doesn’t mean we may not see freshmen backups Jacoby Brissette or Jeff Driskell take a few snaps.
A healthy Buckeye defense, a defense like we saw in the first three quarters of the Nebraska game or against Wisconsin, should be able to give Brantley trouble and control the Gator offense. Shake him up, limit Florida’s ability to adjust and in turn, keep them off the field and the Buckeyes should be in for a good day.
Florida Defense
Although the Gator defense is ranked 9th in the country, they are 40th against the rush and have given up their share of big plays. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are starting to find their own rhythm when it comes to big yards. It may well be that the home run play could be the clincher for the Buckeyes — either in the air or on the ground. Against Michigan, we saw the potential of the Braxton Miller/DeVier Posey connection. We’ve also seen Miller’s speed in an open field and his ability to salvage a broken play. Add a hungry Boom Herron looking to end his career on a high note and the Buckeyes could find the combination they need.
Thoughts?
How about it Buckeye fans (and any passing Gator fans). With both teams looking to the future, will there be enough excitement there to mentally get up for this game? If they do, what will it take to end this season on a high note.
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Ok -I, for one, am always excited when the Buckeyes are playing…They experienced a humbling season and I keep justifying by point out they were really close to a win in all but 1 of their losses. Maybe if I beat that drum enough they’ll get some respect. They have a good team were saddled with challenges and “kept buggering on” to quote Churchill…
So – I think it will be a good game and the Buckeyes win by 10. Braxton finally puts a spin on the ball and it drops into Posey’s hands for two TDs of 35 or more…Boom and Miller have great days running and the Fickle era ends on a high note.
I have to gripe though! New Years Day is a COLLEGE football day….I Don’t care if it is Sunday and the NFL thinks they can shoe horn in. I don’t follow Pro Football and am DISGUSTED with the fact I have to wait until Jan 2 to watch the games – LAME! A rose Bowl on the 2nd? So – Is the parade on the second too?? HOly – SH-t – It is…so we delay New Years traditions for the NFL…THAT SUCKS!
Mikie…fuming…out…
Mike …… I completely agree with your disgust about New Years Day. Although, I think this has more to do with television contracts than the NFL being a bully. Having 4 Big10 bowl games on at the same time is completely stupid. The Networks should have put more thought in planning the start times.
I’m pretty excited about the game (and the fact that I’m going). I happened to come across that 1978 headline when looking for something else and wow, what irony. I’m afraid we will be forever haunted by the highlight reel from that game.
I couldn’t agree with you more about Jan 2. To make it even worse, there are something like four Big Ten Bowl games all on at the same time on Jan. 2.
The big college bowl games should all be on Jan. 1 spread out over the day. This BCS championship stuff a week after the rest of the bowl games sucks. The Ohio State game vs. Florida was a perfect example. I was in Phoenix for that one. By the time the game rolled around, after the Boise State qb proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend at Fiesta, the game seemed like an afterthought. The city of Phoenix was back to work and the bowl felt like just another weekday traffic problem.
Jim, nice clip from the ’78 Gator Bowl. Wasn’t this the last game that Woody Hayes coached? …….. And it is the last game that Fickell coaches. It looks like the Gator Bowl is a death sentence for coaches at tOSU.
It was Woody’s last game hence the irony in the headline. This won’t be Fickell’s last game. Meyer has announced that he will be calling the Defense next season. Fickell’s a Buckeye and I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.
Urban will be at OSU for 7 years, win 1.5 NC games (+/-0.5) and Fick will be back home.
Tony —
Really?
Do you practice thinking up this stuff?
kiltiron……. Just another ironic twist between the ’78 Gator Bowl and this years Urban Meyer Bowl.