Ohio State vs. Florida
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN2
At Jacksonville, Fla.
We just hope that Urban Meyer finds a place to watch the game that can’t be shown by television cameras. If that’s not the case, we won’t see many replays, just reaction shots of the newly anointed Buckeye boss as he observes his new team battle his old team.
Meyer won’t be shedding tears for a Gator team that he’ll barely recognize. Florida (6-6) has won only one of its last six SEC games, and that less than impressive 26-21 victory over Vanderbilt barely counts.
The Gator offense, which ranks 102nd in the nation in total yards per game, might find welcome relief going against an Ohio State defense that hasn’t distinguished itself and ranks in the middle of the Big Ten in all relevant categories.
But it’s the Buckeye offense that’ll require the biggest overhaul by Meyer. Only two non-service academy teams in the nation passed for fewer yards per game than Ohio State’s meager 124 (that’s Temple and UNLV, for those of you wondering).
Judging by freshman quarterback Braxton Miller’s 335 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the 40-34 loss to Michigan on Nov. 26, the future is bright in Columbus, but not just yet in Jacksonville.
We’ll side with the Gators, who figure to play more as a team than the Buckeyes (6-6), who will be individually auditioning for the new man in charge.
Opening point spread: Florida by 1
The pick: Florida 23-17
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