Not quite the first half you expected, was it? Three interceptions, two red zone stops, 14 total points. I’m sure all of those people who put big money on the over on this one are sweating right now.
Oklahoma should be ahead at least 13-7, but the Florida defense stood tall inside the 10 twice, first stopping Oklahoma on fourth and goal after Tebow’s second interception gave the Sooners the ball deep in Florida territory, then working the tip drill to optimal effect by picking off Sam Bradford on the next to last play of the first half after Oklahoma had driven inside the 10.
You’ve got to love the bend but not break defensive play from Florida, but you can go by that philosophy only so many times against Bradford without getting burned at least a few times.
Florida gets the ball first in the second half, and we’ll see quickly if the halftime break gave Tebow time to collect himself and shake off those two interceptions. Even if the defense continues to slow down Bradford and make stops in key situations, the offense is going to have to score some points in the end.
Just as much as Tebow needs to get it going through the air, the ground game is going to need to be a factor. If it isn’t, then Tebow’s going to have to win it with his arm, and while I think he can do it if need be, it’s not the position that Urban Meyer would prefer his offense be in. Losing Chris Rainey is going to be a blow, but there’s no shortage of guys to get the ball to on the ground, from Percy Harvin, to Jeff Demps, to Emmanuel Moody, and even Kestahn Moore. But, what those guys do with the ball when they get it is what will make the difference.
Oklahoma’s defense deserves a lot of credit for slowing Florida’s offense down and forcing two uncharacteristic mistakes from Tebow. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t do anything with either, which could prove to be big. But, if the defense can continue to play strong, then it’ll just put the ball in Bradford’s hands more, and the more the ball’s in his hands, the better it is for Oklahoma’s chances.
The second half has already started, and Florida quickly turned the ball over to Oklahoma on a punt, so we’ll see what the Sooners can do on their first possession of the second half.
