Tebow, Harvin deliver for BCS Title Gators

It’s great to be a Florida Gator, or at least be blessed with talented players such as Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin.

The SEC flexed its muscles last night in the FedEx BCS National Championship in Miami as the No. 2 Florida Gators upended top-ranked Oklahoma 24-14. Florida scored the game’s final 10 points for the win and held the Sooners 40 points below their season average.

Tebow and Harvin combined for 462 of Florida’s 480 yards of offense and three touchdowns as the favored-Gators delivered the emphatic national championship victory.

The SEC is now 5-0 in BCS Title Games, 12-5 overall in BCS contests. Florida has won two of the last three national championships and Urban Meyer may have just passed Steve Spurrier as Florida’s all-time greatest coach. The Sooners on the other hand are winless in their last five BCS games.

Percy Harvin said it best, when describing his team’s toughness and ability to all but shutdown a powerful Oklahoma offense.

"Everybody wondered about how tough we were," said Harvin, whose two-yard touchdown run on a direct snap in the third quarter gave Florida a 14-7 lead. "I think we answered that question. We were the tougher team, and that's why we're national champions.

I watched the game in Cinedigm Live 3D, a new technologiy created by 3ality and Sony that brought the BCS Title Game Live in 3D to a theatre audience for the first time ever. It was an awesome experience and something I insist on everyone witnessing for live sporting events.

Most Valuable Player – This is a tough call, Percy Harvin and Tebow are both well-deserving. But it was Tebow’s final drive and 108 yards rushing that proved to be the difference in sinking the Sooners and exciting Gator Nation.

Best Oooh/Ahhh Moment – Florida’s Chris Rainey notched a highlight-worthy gain in the second quarter, side-stepping OU’s Nic Harris and falling out-of-bounds near the first down marker. He tweaked his right knee on the juke and did not return.

Staggering Stat – Florida converted 12-of-17 third down attempts, most of which coming via Tebow’s legs or his ability to throw on the run.

After passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford is expected to announce his early exit out of CFB soon, projected by most to be the Detroit Lions’ No. 1 pick in April’s NFL Draft.

Bradford finished with 50 touchdown passes this season, becoming only the second sophomore ever to win the Heisman trophy. (See Tebow, 2007)


Could the Gators repeat as BCS Champs?

It’s never too early to look at next season’s top squads and projected finish. Here are my predictions for college football’s Top 5 teams in 2009.

1. Florida Gators (If Tebow returns, the loss of Harvin won’t be devastating)
2. Texas Longhorns (Colt McCoy has to be the Heisman front-runner)
3. USC (The Trojans will go undefeated, unless they slip up in the PAC10)
4. Ohio State (QB Pryor has a year under his belt and the Big-Ten to thank)
5. Oklahoma State (Surprise sleeper, the Cowboys return everyone on offense)

Just outside the Top 5 will be the Sooners, Nittany Lions, LSU Tigers and Utah Utes. It wouldn't surprise me if Georgia reloads either, despite losing Knowshon Moreno and Matt Stafford to the NFL Draft.