Urban vs The All-World Unstoppable Offense...will history repeat itself?

[heversle]

Upon watching the semifinal games yesterday, it's logical to conclude that Oregon is the clear favorite going into the Championship next week. Mariota and the Ducks look unstoppable. Up until late last night, an Oregon championship felt imminent. But, this morning, it hit me: as dominant as Oregon looks, is it wise to ignore Meyer's history, particularly in Championship games?

Think back to 2008. Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma Sooners have clobbered virtually every team they've played with their record setting, video game-ish, uptempo offense. They're favored over the Urban Meyer coached Gators. Sound familiar?

Now, I know this OSU team doesn't have Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins in their secondary to lock down opposing receivers, but based on what I saw last night, OSU is a physical football team that gets after QBs and is very athletic. In the same way that Oregon has the best offense that OSU will face all year, the same can probably be said about Oregon facing OSU's defense. Also, the Oregon defense isn't exceptionally good and dealing with a big QB like Jones may present problems for them.

But, above all, Meyer has not lost once he has gotten to a Championship game. He's obviously had a month in past years to prepare for a game like this, but if it is close in the 4th quarter, Meyer's experience should give the Bucknuts the edge. On paper, Oregon should blow out OSU like they blew out the Noles, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it won't play out that way. I hate to say it (mostly because we haven't really sniffed success since he's left), but Urban may just have the last laugh again. The guy just has a knack for winning these kind of games.

One thing is for certain though: next Monday night will be quite the spectacle. How do you guys think it will play out?

 

[WobbleGator]

I predict Oregon wins by 6.

 

[GatorJ]

His OSU team is closer to the 2006 team. He may beat Oregon but I just don't see how anybody will beat this offense That runs a play about every three seconds.

 

[MidwestChomp]

Preparation is key. How will the short turn around affect the game?

 

[oxrageous]

Meyer teams beat Heisman-winning QB's in championships in both 2006 and 2008. However, I think it's pretty safe to say he doesn't have the defenses those two powerhouses had.

If OSU wants to win, they need to run the ball well and control the clock, which they are more than capable of doing.

 

[t-gator]

I think urbs wins this one unfortunately

 

[WobbleGator]

If they can force turnovers like they did against Bama, then I believe they have a great shot of winning.

 

[heversle]

His OSU team is closer to the 2006 team. He may beat Oregon but I just don't see how anybody will beat this offense That runs a play about every three seconds.

There are only a couple ways to beat an offense like that IMHO:

1) Get in the backfield on early downs and make tackles for loss. When they're behind schedule, they won't run plays that quickly.

2) March down the field with long, methodical TD drives and keep Mariota off the field. If they can't stop the run, you can essentially play keep-away and limit the damage their offense will do.

Creating turnovers obviously helps as well.

 

[MidwestChomp]

Meyer teams beat Heisman-winning QB's in championships in both 2006 and 2008. However, I think it's pretty safe to say he doesn't have the defenses those two powerhouses had.

If OSU wants to win, they need to run the ball well and control the clock, which they are more than capable of doing.

Muschamp would agree.

 

[heversle]

Muschamp would agree.

Oddly enough, a Muschamp-style ball control offense is probably the best way to beat Oregon. If OSU dominates TOP to the point where Mariota goes almost a whole quarter without touching the football, they'll probably win. Crazier things have happened.

 

[MidwestChomp]

At one point in the game Oregon had 15 minutes TOP and FSU had around 25 and Oregon was up 39-20. Not saying that isn't a solid game plan, it just doesn't always work when a team normally scores in under 2 minutes.

 

[TheDouglas78]

Is it possible, absolutely. I do think the shortened time to prepare is going to hurt both teams in the National Title game. It's hard to prepare for the offensive temp in a week and a half, unlike in both 2006 and 2008 where he had a month to prepare for the tempo. But if the defense line dominates the line of scrimage OSU could win.

 

[heversle]

I know what you mean. Oregon could very well embarrass OSU, but that would be shocking based on how good of a coach and a motivator Meyer is. I think the game will ultimately be pretty close, regardless of who wins.

 

[gardnerwebbgator]

The only shot they have to keep it close is to force turnovers. They forced turnovers last night, and yet Bammer managed to put 35 up on them.

 

[WobbleGator]

The only shot they have to keep it close is to force turnovers. They forced turnovers last night, and yet Bammer managed to put 35 up on them.

But I thought you had said OSU had no chance of beating Bama.

 

[gardnerwebbgator]

But I thought you had said OSU had no chance of beating Bama.

I thought so, but I thought Bammer was a lot better than advertised. The whole SEC West have been paper tigers in bowl season.....it's up to UcheaT right now and us tomorrow to defend the honor of the SEC.....that's pitiful, but UcheaT looks good on their opening drive so far.

If Leyer had more than a week to prep for this one, then I might lean a bit more toward another upset. He obviously had a long time to prep for Bammer. UO does not have (1) a mediocre QB like Sims and more importantly, (2) a complete tool like Lame calling the offense. Leyer will have to rely on winning the turnover battle by a large margin and pulling off some sort of blocked kick for a score to pull the upset this time around, I just don't see Mariota ****ting the bed like that, the kid is cool and poised, he convinced me against that group of unsportsmanlike thugs from Tallacrappy yesterday. You know good and well they were hitting him late, etc., didn't phase him at all.

 

[Free Gator]

So pissed Urban left us. He is a hell of a coach. Hope he screws OSU like he did us

 

[jdh5484]

OboooHoooo St can win if they play ball control and have ZERO turnovers. They also have to score a TD each time they are in the red zone. If Meyer had a few more weeks to prepare I would pick them to win it.

Oregon by 10.

 

[GatorInKnox]

Meyer teams beat Heisman-winning QB's in championships in both 2006 and 2008. However, I think it's pretty safe to say he doesn't have the defenses those two powerhouses had.

If OSU wants to win, they need to run the ball well and control the clock, which they are more than capable of doing.

That's still a thing?

 

[Zambo]

But, above all, Meyer has not lost once he has gotten to a Championship game.

Saban would disagree.