Charlie Strong to Face Biggest Challenge of Florida Coaching Career

McLeod Neale by Analyst Written on December 30, 2008
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Charlie Strong is preparing for what could be the biggest challenge he will face in his entire coaching career.

Strong must find a way to slow down the most explosive offense in college football history led by Heisman winning QB Sam Bradford, who has led the NCAA in passing efficiency for the second-straight year. 

Oklahoma also featured two running backs in their backfield that rushed for over 1,000 yards each. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, one of those running backs, DeMarco Murray, will be sitting on the sideline with an injury.

While Strong's defensive unit ranks within the top 10 in the NCAA's scoring defenses, he has reason to be concerned. His Gator defense has yet to face an offense that is as complete as this Sooners offense.

Then again, Strong can take comfort in the fact that his defense faces an offense everyday in practice that is capable of matching Oklahoma's 3.9 points per possession. 

Strong's greatest concern, though, is the fast tempo of Oklahoma's hurry-up offense.  This is something that the Gators can attempt to simulate in practice, but it will be difficult for the scout team to match the speed of a unit that has been mastering the no huddle for an entire season.

Florida's offense is exactly what is necessary to compete with this Oklahoma offense.  Florida's offense can match Oklahoma score for score while also controlling the ball and the clock. It is paramount for Florida to control the time of possession so that the defense can stay fresh and avoid getting fatigued against this high-tempo Oklahoma offense.

So how might Charlie Strong try to scheme against this Oklahoma offense?

I am glad you asked.

It all starts in the trenches. Oklahoma arguably has the most-veteran offensive line in the nation. Oklahoma's offensive line entered this season with the most combined starts in the NCAA with 130.

Now that number is even higher. Oklahoma might just have to replace all five starters on this unit next year. This veteran unit is led by All-American guard Duke Robinson.

Florida does not exactly have any superstars on the defensive line that have gotten near the amount of attention that Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson have gotten for Oklahoma's offensive line.

All year people kept writing off Florida's defensive line as the defense's Achilles heel, but surprisingly they did just enough to come up with a win and contribute to one of the nation's top-10 scoring defenses.

While Oklahoma has a great offensive line, Alabama posed a greater challenge with two All-Americans and the Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith. The reason Charlie Strong should be concerned, though, is that his defense is great at stuffing the run, but Florida has not seen an offense that has put an offensive line as good as Oklahoma's in front of a quarterback as good as Sam Bradford.

Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins form one of the top CB duos in the country and they should be able to lock down Oklahoma's top two wide receivers Juaquin Iglesius and Manuel Johnson. More often than not, though, Oklahoma will come out with four wide receivers. 

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written on December 30, 2008 Preview/Prediction

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