Gator Bowl 2012: Ohio State's Size Will Overpower the Speedy Florida Gators

Ohio State and Florida have one thing in common right now: Urban Meyer.

He is expected to be at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., today, but his presence is easily felt hanging over the two traditional powerhouses.

This year they've been anything but powerhouses, and the loser of this game will actually have a losing record.

The winner will finish a mediocre 7-6, but both these teams are out for blood.

The deciding factor will be the line of scrimmage.

Florida comes into this game with a less-than-stellar offense. So does Ohio State for that matter, but the Buckeyes are the 27th-ranked rush offense in nation this year.

The Gators, who are a top-10 defense overall, are only 40th against the run.

The problem is their relative lack of size in the trenches and Ohio State, unfortunately, has the perfect matchup advantage to handle that.

Ohio State isn't great against the run—ranked only 55th in the nation—but the Gators are only the 75th-ranked rushing attack.

In years past it has been the speed of the SEC that overtakes the size of the Big Ten. For once, the opposite will happen.

The Buckeyes don't have to fear the Gators' passing attack. Florida quarterback John Brantley hasn't scared anyone all season and it doesn't figure to happen now. The Buckeyes will be able to key on the Florida run game and let their secondary play the way they do.

On offense, Ohio State has a bigger, stronger and more physically dominant offensive line in comparison to the Gators' front.

Not only will Florida's defense be overwhelmed, but they can't completely give in to the run game because quarterback Braxton Miller, although inconsistent and inexperienced, is athletically gifted enough to chuck a bomb and should have developed a bit of a rapport with wide receiver DeVier Posey.

The Buckeyes are going to punch the Gators in the mouth, pound the rock and wear down Florida.