Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith talks to the
crowd during a rally yesterday in Arizona. | Seniors want to get ring the old-fashioned way: Earn it
January 8, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The last time Ohio State’s fifth-year seniors played for a national title, they weren’t themselves. They were scout-teamers mimicking a University of Miami player: Quarterback Troy Smith was Ken Dorsey or running back Willis McGahee. Defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock was Vince Wilfork. Defensive end Jay Richardson was Jerome McDougle. When game day came Jan. 3, 2003, they stood idly on the sideline as freshman redshirts and watched their teammates stun the Hurricanes. They all own championship rings, but they are a bit sheepish about it..."
Buckeye Bash: Fans come out in full force for pep rally, more than 35,000 strong! |
Our BCS Title Game Preview page has extensive matchup data, statistics, links and more.
Fast Facts:
Date: January 8, 2007
Site: University of Phoenix Stadium (73,000)
Kick-Off: 6:30 p.m. MST (8:30 p.m. EST)
Television: Fox (Thom Brenneman, Barry Alvarez, Charles Davis and Chris Myers)
Radio: ESPN Radio (Brent Musburger, Bob Davie, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters)
Ohio State Sports Radio Network (Paul Keels and Jim Lachey)
Series: The teams have never played.
Ohio State will wear its white jerseys and use the east bench.
Glendale's Got Game, an online resource for "National Sporting Events in Glendale, Arizona"
Game Day in Glendale, guide to an "exciting game day experience."
Buckeye Bash Pep Rally
OSU Alumni Club of Phoenix Events
Team Headquarters: Fairmont Princess Resort and Spa Tuesday in Scottsdale
Where the Buckeyes are from
Where the Gators are from
From the Ozone: Depth Chart for the BCS Championship Game
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 2007:
Breaking down the Buckeyes
Breaking down the Gators
From the Gainesville Sun, January 7, 2007:
Ohio State Position Analysis
Florida Position Analysis
Opposing Coaches Offer Final Remarks
January 7, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel and Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer met with reporters for the final time today prior to the BCS National Championship Game. Check out the-Ozone report now on..."
BCS Title Game: Ohio State vs. Florida Preview
January 8, 2007 Source:BuckeyeGrove.com - "History will be repeated in the BCS national championship football game, it's just a matter of which team repeats it..."
 | Time To Recognize
January 7, 2007 Source: SI.com - "What took so long? We're finally beginning to realize Jim Tressel is a stellar football coach, and SI.com's Stewart Mandel says these three qualities form the backbone of his program..." |
Troy Smith's poise is crucial for victory
January 8, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "...Generally, there are two ways to keep a quarterback in check: a pass rush that forces him to lose his comfort level or blanketing his receivers in the secondary. Considering that Smith uses his legs as adeptly as he throws the ball and that OSU's receiving corps runs five deep, neither of those alternatives is easy in the execution. Maybe Meyer won't find the answer, but he definitely knows what he is facing..."
Gators secondary a concern going into national title game
January 7, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "Coach Urban Meyer's biggest concern heading into Monday night's BCS National Championship Game is whether Florida's secondary will hold up against Ohio State..."
From CollegeFootballNews.com: Ten Reason Why...
Ohio State will beat Florida in the BCS National Championship Game
Florida will beat Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game
Buckeyes ready for trick plays
January 8, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "Having watched enough film of Florida to go through vats of Visine, the Ohio State Buckeyes are convinced the Gators’ offensive playbook was drawn up by either the Nutty Professor or some frat boy after a hard night of partying..."
Five things to watch in the title game tonight
January 8, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal
 | In its final practice of the season, Ohio State worked out Saturday night at Pinnacle High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., for an hour and a half. The Buckeyes will bus Sunday to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale for a walk-through.
Ohio State's Final Practice
January 7, 2007 Source: Scout Bucknuts - "Ohio State’s final practice prior to Monday night’s Tostitos BCS National Championship Game is over. Coach Tressel and his staff wrapped up practice nearly a half an hour earlier than the schedule called for. OSU will have a walkthrough Sunday, but the banging is over. The team is now under an 11:00 p.m. curfew for the next couple of days..."
 Final Practice Photo gallery |
 | Pittman, Wells form dynamic duo
January 7, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "Chris Wells has these visions, none better than the one the night before Ohio State's last game against Michigan. 'We were roommates,' fellow tailback Antonio Pittman said. 'And the crazy thing is, both of us are going to break a long one. He's a guy who always visualizes the game; tells me what he's thinking. When it happened, it was deja vu.'..."
Pittman happy with grabbing yards, not headlines
January 4, 2007 Source: ESPN.com - "Antonio Pittman might not get the publicity, but that doesn't mean that he goes unnoticed..." |
 | Gholston often hard to ignore
January 7, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston has made a lot of noise this season, and David Patterson isn’t happy about it..." |
  | Ginn, Harvin boast uncommon footspeed
January 6, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "They will be the two fastest players on the field Monday night when the BCS stages its high-voltage track meet, disguised as a national championship football game..."
OSU, Florida will settle speed questions on field
Is Ohio State as fast as Florida?
January 6, 2007 Source: Gainesville Sun - "Sitting in the stands at the University of Phoenix stadium on Friday, Florida freshman Brandon James said what so many others have this week..."
OSU, Florida will settle speed questions on field
Florida trying to pull a fast one on gullible media, Ohio State
January 7, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Speed has been a recurring theme during interview sessions since the Ohio State and Florida football teams arrived here for the national championship game..."
Not so fast: Buckeyes feel they’re up to speed
January 8, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch |
OSU's Conditioning Will Be Key
January 6, 2007 Source: Scout Bucknuts - "With an unusually long layoff from the end of the regular season until its bowl game, a lot of people have wondered how Ohio State will perform against Florida in the BCS National Championship Game. One thing OSU fans can be sure of is the Buckeyes are ready to play physically thanks to their strength and conditioning staff..."
From OSU Official Site: Ohio State Practice Report Quotes
January 3, 2007
January 4, 2007
 | OSU Interviews: Ted Ginn
Source: coachtressel.com - "TGII breaks down Thursday practice out in Arizona as the Bucks prepare for the Gators." |
Football 101: BCS plays to look out for
January 3, 2007 Source: ESPN.com - Analysis from Bob Davie: "Florida will not be surprised by the five-wide receiver set as Michigan was, but how the Gators defend it will be a key in the national championship game..."
From OSU Official Site: BCS Championship Game Press Conference
January 3, 2007
Ted Ginn, Jr., Anthony Gonzalez, Jim Bollman, Troy Smith, Doug Datish and Antonio Pittman were on hand to answer questions
January 4, 2007
Coach Heacock, Malcolm Jenkins, Brandon Mitchell, Quinn Pitcock, David Patterson and Antonio Smith were on hand to answer questions
Buckeye Notebook
January 5, 2007 Source: Rivals.com - "Buckeyes Shaking off the rust...No Small Role...Buck-Eyes of the Tiger..." and more.
 | Buckeyes defense ready for big-play Gators
January 4, 2007 Source: Rivals.com - "After dominating opponents for most of the season, the Ohio State defense gave up an unusual number of big plays in the season finale against Michigan. Malcolm Jenkins and the Buckeyes know that could mean trouble against Florida, so..." |
Ohio State Returns to the Pinnacle
January 3, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State returned to the practice field Wednesday afternoon in Scottsdale, Ariz., at Pinnacle High School. Since 2001, Pinnacle has served as a host practice site for a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl participant, including the Buckeyes for all four of their trips to the Valley of the Sun..."
Starting lineups, player bios, key matchups
Source: Dayton Daily News
Ohio State vs. Florida
January 5, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "The time has come! The Tostitos BCS National Championship game is only days away. Check out Tony Gerdeman's preview of the big game, now..."
Keys to BCS victory
January 5, 2007 Source: CentralOhio.com - "Buckeyes 1. Get good jump out of the blocks...Gators 1. Keep the Buckeyes guessing..."
Urban Meyer's unconventional ground attack.
January 5, 2007 Source: SI.com - "Now, along come the Florida Gators, playing for a national championship in spite of -- or is it because of? -- a running game centered around a freshman backup quarterback and a freshman receiver..."
 | Game Changer
January 5, 2007 Source: Rivals.com - "He can change a game with a catch, a reverse or a handoff. He can change positions from one play to another. He can change a whole defensive coordinator's gameplan..."
Plenty of bite
January 6, 2007 Source: SportingNews.com - "Can Florida receiver Percy Harvin find daylight against the tough Ohio State secondary? SN's Matt Hayes says it's a key to any hope for an upset by the Gators in the BCS championship game..." |
O2006-07 BCS National Championship Game Preview
January 4, 2007 Source: Buckeye Planet - "After a 51-day wait between football games, this year's Ohio State football team will have an opportunity to register some very impressive accomplishments with a victory on January 8th..."
Game Data: BCS National Championship
January 3, 2007 Source: Bucknuts - "We have the pertinent information, television coverage details, depth charts and a prediction for Monday's showdown between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Florida at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (8:30 p.m., Fox)..."
UF, Ohio St. shared defensive tips
January 5, 2007 Source: Gainesville Sun - "Little did they know 10 months ago they would be meeting again. For two days in February, Florida's defensive coaches played host to defensive coaches from another school. The Ohio State University..."
No lack of speed in BCS title game
Source: SI.com - "Standing outside the practice field at Scottsdale Community College on Wednesday, surrounded by a mob of reporters and television cameras, Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss explained why his team holds an advantage over top-ranked Ohio State in Monday's BCS National Championship Game..."
Gators believe their speed will shock Buckeyes
January 4, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "'From top to bottom, it’s the fastest team we’ve seen,' Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said yesterday..."
Not-so-secret weapon
January 5, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "Urban Meyer admits Florida wouldn't be in the title game if it wasn't for Tim Tebow. But that's something Gator fans already know, says Dennis Dodd, who believes the clean-living freshman QB is the team's MVP..."
Urban Meyer's unconventional ground attack.
January 5, 2007 Source: SI.com - "Now, along come the Florida Gators, playing for a national championship in spite of -- or is it because of? -- a running game centered around a freshman backup quarterback and a freshman receiver..."
Ohio State seeking traps for Florida's trick offense
January 5, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "In hours upon hours of dissecting every step of the Florida offense, Ohio State has learned plenty. The Buckeyes know that the Gators rely on a backup quarterback to rush the ball. They know there is an extremely fast group of receivers who catch plenty of passes, and that there is a freshman do-everything receiver who gains yards everywhere..."
Football 101: BCS plays to look out for
January 3, 2007 Source: ESPN.com - "How will Ohio State use its five wide receiver set? When will Florida break out its trick plays? Bob Davie breaks down the BCS title game..."
From FoxSports.com: 10 Reasons Why
Ohio State will win ...
Florida will win...
Comparing Florida To Michigan
December 30, 2006 Source: Bucknuts - "Coach's Classroom: We think you will enjoy his first piece of work which deals with the comparisons of Michigan, a team Ohio State knows very well, to Florida, a team that is very unfamiliar to the Buckeyes..." |
Computer Simulation of the Ohio State vs. Florida game
Source: WhatIfSports.com
 | | Feels Like Home
December 28, 2006 Source: Scout Bucknuts - "Ohio State and Florida are playing for the very first time when the Buckeyes and Gators meet in the BCS National Title Game Jan. 8 in Glendale. While Ohio State feels like it has a homefield advantage in Arizona, members from both sides know all about the other for a variety of reasons. We have more on the dynamic of this intriguing game..." |
Florida looks to find a way to conquer Troy
December 27, 2006 Source: Associated Press - "Twelve teams this year have tried and failed to shut down Ohio State's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Troy Smith. Next up: No. 2 Florida..."
Babb's Bits: Role Reversal For Favored Buckeyes
December 27, 2006 Source: Bucknuts - "When Ohio State won the national championship at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, the Buckeyes were a heavy underdog to defending national champion Miami (Fla.). But the Buckeyes go into this year's BCS national title game against Florida as a heavy favorite. Click the link for a look at how OSU is handling this role reversal..." |
OSU sees Small as a measure for Gators' speedster
December 25, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Florida has played 14 true freshmen this season, twice as many as Ohio State has used. While quarterback Tim Tebow, in a time-share with starter Chris Leak, has thrown for 357 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 430 yards and seven scores, receiver Percy Harvin is the young Gator keeping the Buckeyes up at night..."
Defense learns lessons, looks ahead
December 19, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "It's been a month since Michigan embarrassed the Ohio State defense - sliced, diced and plain old whipped the Buckeyes..."
From CBS Sportsline.com: The Edge: BCS National Championship
Head to Head
From StatsOverload.com: Head to Head
Buckeyes have yet to pass an SEC speed test
December 18, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "On paper, the sports books like Ohio State by seven points or more headed toward its national championship showdown with Florida. But the history book likes Florida. Big..."
Check out OSU's Bowl history, link in navigation below.
More on OSU vs SEC: BCS Title Game Preview page.
Ohio State Football Media Day
December 16, 2006 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State players and coaches met with the media Friday at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center in the lone interview opportunity before arriving in the Phoenix area Dec. 30..."
Buckeyes have yet to get acquainted with Gators
December 16, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Playing Michigan would have meant seven weeks of adjusting and readjusting. Since Ohio State's opponent in the national title game is Florida, a team Ohio State has never played, the Buckeyes still are working to familiarize themselves with a foreign foe..."
Florida has a plan
December 15, 2006 Source: Denver Post - Gator defensive coordinator Charlie Strong plans to talk to Illinois coach Ron Zook about how to beat the Buckeyes.
Gators' Meyer has Buckeyes in his blood
December 15, 2006 Source: Denver Post - "Born, raised and educated in Ohio, Urban Meyer now finds himself trying to destroy the championship dreams of the team he rooted for as a kid..."
Buckeye State of Mind
December 15, 2006 Source: Gainesville Sun - "Jim Tressel's news conference Friday to preview the BCS title game began with a question about Urban Meyer. Moments later, there was a second question about Meyer. That was followed by another. And another. Across the room, Buckeyes secondary coach Tim Beckman was asked questions about Meyer for over 10 minutes. Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman fielded his share of Meyer questions, too..."
19 fifth-year seniors want another more satisfying title
December 15, 2006 Source: Gainesville Sun - "A small group of Ohio State players will be going for their second national championship when the Buckeyes face Florida in the BCS title game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. But it might as well be their first. Ohio State's 19 fifth-year seniors were part of the Buckeye's 2002 national championship. But none played a major role..."
Tebow Could Run Into A Big Buckeye Obstacle
December 15, 2006 Source: The Tampa Tribune - "Tim Tebow is used to running through line-men, linebackers and defensive backs, but one prized Ohio State player might put a stop to that..."
Gators' QB plan works
December 13, 2006 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "Imagine telling a four-year starting quarterback he's going to give up some snaps to a true freshman. That unusual premise brings two more even harder to believe. One, the senior would go along with it. Two, it would work, especially when the youngster excels mainly as a runner. But that's been the case with Florida senior Chris Leak and freshman Tim Tebow. The Gators have used the plan to go 12-1 and earn a spot against undefeated Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz..."
After Award Circuit, Smith and Buckeyes are Ready to Go Back to Work
December 12, 2006 Source: The Ozone - "Now that the award circuit is complete the OSU football team will be turning their eyes on the biggest prize of all, the national championship. Will the recent spate of adulation affect the way Troy Smith and the rest of Buckeyes prepare and play?..."
Defense remains the key to Florida's success story
December 12, 2006 Source: Orlando Sentinel - "On the phone Monday morning, Florida co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison defined the two statistics he uses to judge the players he coaches. 'We always need to be able to stop the run,' he said on the teleconference. 'If you stop the run, you always have a chance to win. And the other is scoring defense. We've really stepped up there'..."
Buckeyes Like Opportunity to Face Gators
December 4, 2006 Source: The Ozone - "...'There's just something intriguing about playing somebody new," said OSU co-captain and senior defensive tackle David Patterson..."
 
January 8, 2007
Glendale AZ | FL Offense vs
OSU Defense | OSU Offense vs
FL Defense | | _____________ | FL | OSU | Diff | OSU | FL | Diff | Yards
Per Play
First Downs | 398.1
6.5
20.9 | 273.0
4.6
15.1 | -125.1
-2.0 | 409.8
6.3
21.1 | 268.8
4.4
16.5 | -141.0
-1.9 | | _____________ | FL | OSU | Diff | OSU | FL | Diff | Rushing Yards
Attempts
Yards/Rush | 160.3
33.3
4.8 | 93.5
28.4
3.3 | -66.8
-1.5 | 180.1
38.1
4.7 | 74.5
26.7
2.8 | -105.6
-1.9 | | _____________ | FL | OSU | Diff | OSU | FL | Diff | Passing Yards
Attempts
Completions
Completions %
Yards/Comp.
Yards/Attempt
Sacks
Sack Yards
Interceptions | 237.8
27.8
17.6
63.3
13.5
8.5
1.7
12.2
1.1 | 179.5
31.5
18.0
57.1
10.0
5.7
3.1
22.5
1.8 | -58.3
-2.8
| 229.7
27.2
18.1
66.6
12.7
8.5
1.2
7.9
0.4 | 194.3
34.2
18.5
54.1
10.5
5.7
2.2
15.9
1.5 | -35.4
-2.8
| | | FL | OSU | Diff | OSU | FL | Diff | Fumbles Lost
Fumbles
Penalties
Penalty Yards | 0.8
1.9
8.5
64.5 | 0.5
1.6
3.6
28.1 |
-0.3
-4.9
-36.4 | 0.9
1.4
4.8
42.8 | 0.5
1.5
5.8
41.9 |
0.1
1.1
-0.9 | | _____________ | FL | OSU | Diff | OSU | FL | Diff | Score
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter | 28.8
5.8
10.0
6.4
6.6 | 10.4
1.7
3.1
1.7
4.0 | -18.4
-4.2
-6.9
-4.7
-2.6 | 36.3
9.3
11.1
6.3
9.8 | 13.5
3.1
2.5
3.2
4.7 | -22.9
-6.2
-8.6
-3.0
-5.1 | |
From Fox Sports:
Gators Offense vs Buckeyes Defense
Buckeyes Offense vs Gators Defense
No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Florida Meet in BCS Title Game
December 11, 2006 Source: OSU Official Site - Facts and More Facts
Wynn & done
December 10, 2006 Source: Gainesville Sun - "Florida and Ohio State have never played in football before, so there is no history there between the Gators and the Buckeyes. Unless you're DeShawn Wynn..."
University of Florida Official Site
Expert Picks: Bowl Games Source: CBSSportsline.com
Stats: Ohio State - Florida
National Statistical Rankings: Total Offense Total Defense
Las Vegas Line Movements: Florida Gators @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Offshore Line Movements: Florida Gators @ Ohio State Buckeyes
 Florida at OSU: Match-Up Preview - Live Odds - Matchup Edge
 Betting Preview: Florida at OSU & Matchup: Florida at OSU
 Glendale Weather Forecast
 | Ohio State University Alumni Club of Phoenix Going to the big game? Check out the link to the Phoenix Alumni Club website for information about OSU events in the area. You can receive information by getting on their e-mail list. Send a request to: OSUPHX@cox.net. |
Inside Dish: NFL's Browns could go after Tressel
December 31, 2006 Source: SportingNews.com - "Look for the Cleveland Browns to come after Ohio State coach Jim Tressel if the Buckeyes win the national title..."
Speed in feet of beholders as Buckeyes travel fast as Gators
December 28, 2006 Source: Toledo Blade - "Brandon Mitchell has heard the endless drumbeat of comments before, that the athletes from a certain part of the country are so much faster than their counterparts..."
 | OSU tackle to return for senior season
December 28, 2006 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "For one more season, Kirk Barton's NFL experience will be limited to sitting with his uncle and his cousins in the Dawg Pound. Ohio State's junior right tackle said Wednesday that he will re turn for his sen ior season after an official appraisal from the NFL projected him as a third - or fourth-round draft pick..." |
 | Robiskie grows on, off the field as Buckeye
December 28, 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Parents always hope their kids are hanging out with the right crowd. Terry Robiskie had the same hope for his son, Brian. The receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns sent Brian to Ohio State to get an education and play football. In the past year, he noticed something interesting: one was growing hand in hand with the other..." |
Odds To Win The 2007 Bcs National Championship Game
CollegeFootballNews.com - From VegasInsider.com, "Future Book Odds"
|
