Boomer vs. Gator: BCS Championship Preview

There is nothing better than knowing that one of the men that brought me into the business of sports will lock horns with me for the biggest prize in the country. After an impressive showing by myself and Lisa Horne, we have a celebrity stepping into the Bleacher Report to give his two cents worth about this Thursday's BCS Championship Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida Gators.

So ladies and gentlemen, here is Oklahoma's own Native Son and WWE Hall of Famer, Good Ol' JR Jim Ross with his picks for the National Championship Game.

Thursday January 8th

BCS Championship Game: #2 Florida Gators vs. #1 Oklahoma Sooners

The Gators are favored by 3. The game is being played in Florida. OU has lost their last 4 BCS Bowl games. One I missed because I was broadcasting the vaunted K-Fed vs. John Cena tilt on New Year’s night. Many pundits and most of the nation feel that UF will win to the tune of about 60 percent of those voting. I know my Okie pals the Brisco Brothers are pulling for the Gators. Dusty Rhodes is pulling for the Gators.

Edge told me in his own “unique” (can you say saucer eyes?) way that HE was a Gators’ fan and hoped my team would lose. Well, in the name of such wrestling greats as Wahoo McDaniel, Cowboy Bill Watts, Danny Hodge, Dale Lewis, Dr. Death Steve Williams and even newcomer Jack Swagger, one doesn’t’ have to wonder where my loyalty lies. I have not missed an OU game all year being it at home or on the road, including traveling to Seattle and from College Station, Texas to Manchester, England.

I’m sure I will hear my share of “Gator Bait” references directed my way over the next week or so, but after joining the “Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club” I think I can handle it. Ric Flair was at one time a HUGE Gator fan but not so much any more –divorce has a way of altering one’s thinking – and he is great friends with OU’s Coach Bob Stoops, who used to coordinate the Gator “D” when they won a National Title under the old ball coach Steve Spurrier. So “The Naitch” is pulling for the Sooners. As is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who might even wear his camouflage OU ball cap for good luck.

So, with no surprise, I obviously am picking the Sooners to win the National Title in what should be an amazing conclusion of what has been a great bowl season. It’s Slobber-Knocker time. I plan on being on the Sooner sideline attired in OU gear and my black hat. It’s worked more often that not this season so why not saddle up and try it one more time?

I realize that I passionately represent Oklahoma and that when I do that I set myself up to catch hell when they lose, which isn’t that often by the way – but so be it. Commitment is a good personality trait to have and I am committed to supporting my Sooners win or lose. None of this is new info but I want to clarify that I am not a hater of other teams but instead a lover of my team. That seems to be a healthier philosophy wouldn’t you agree?

Oh, yeah one final thing. No wagering please. These picks are for entertainment purposes only.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.

I can understand why you're a little on Edge (no pun intended) about this game. The Sooners' record speaks for itself, and that spells trouble for Oklahoma. However, bear this in mind, JR: Tim Tebow has not won a bowl game as a starter as of yet. He looks to help continue that Heisman curse that started many years ago when he faces Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford.

Since Oklahoma lost its huge X-Factor to injury, that favors Florida. Now that Percy Harvin has returned from the ankle injury he sustained in the SEC Championship, that favors Florida. So what favors Oklahoma? Simply put: Killing the point spread favors them. Florida is 0-1 against the Big XII Conference in National Championships (and we're still feeling that one Mr. Tom Osborne), but thanks to Ole Miss, the SEC is 1-0 against the Big XII this year.

Everyone knows that Florida can hang with the Big Ten, but can they hang with the Big XII? The Gators have a little more pressure on their side since the last time the SEC won three straight NCs was back at the beginning of the 80s when Alabama and Georgia ruled the college football world. As for Oklahoma, they have to prove something to everybody...

Including USC, Penn State, Texas and Texas Tech. But mainly to themselves. They haven't been successful in the BCS, and the record speaks for itself. It's been proven that they can't win the big one. But will that change this Thursday night?

Don't bet on that. They're facing a very motivated and determined Florida team that has something to prove to everybody. They have as much to prove as Oklahoma does. But Urban Meyer has had to deal with the distractions of Notre Dame, Mississippi State and the NFL. Now that all three are officially out of the way (for now), Florida can roll into their home away from home in Miami, Florida and win the National Championship.

This isn't the desert that Florida dreaded when they lost to Nebraska many years ago, or the desert that Florida proved that they belonged in that game. This is the baby swamp. This is Hurricane Central. For both of these teams, this is their Wrestlemania. Not only is this bragging rights that Mr. Ross would love to have heading into SmackDown the very next night. But this is also bragging rights for me when I head into a world of ACC and Big XII lovers aka my other job.

And everyone here knows that I'll be hearing about this for a long time if Florida gets killed by Oklahoma...but that won't happen. This is the #1 and #2 scoring offenses in the country. This is the #1 and #2 best defenses in the country. And above all else, this is the best #1 vs. #2 matchup since...#1 Alabama vs. #2 Florida.

With that said, Good Ol' JR, I'm sorry to inform you that the Sooners will keep it a game, but they will lose to the SEC. And in all fairness, isn't that just as important? It's the Big XII vs. the SEC for all the bragging rights and the biggest prize in the business. For these guys, a loss is unacceptable. Because they know that the Trojans and Longhorns will be eyeing the outcome very carefully.

Final Score: Florida 58, Oklahoma 50

Pleasure having you on B/R, JR!