Bo Pelini on Florida-Oklahoma BCS Title Matchup

From today’s New York Times ("I’ll go read a real newspaper. I’ll read the New York Times"—Bill Callahan):

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Coach’s View: No. 1 Priority Is Execution

By Bo Pelini

Five football coaches scouted the B.C.S. title game, between Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday night, for The Quad. This is a report by Bo Pelini, the Nebraska coach, as told to Thayer Evans.

The battle up front and the team that wins the turnover battle are the two things that will be keys in this game. It’s going to be a close matchup.

At the end of day it’s about which team blocks, tackles and makes plays. You’re not going to be able to trick the other team. It’s not going to be about just X’s and O’s. It’s going to be about which team outexecutes the other.

I have a lot of respect for Florida. I played them three years in a row. They’re a good football team. Oklahoma is a tremendous football team. They’re both extremely well coached.

You can’t discount the layoff factor. Both teams haven’t played in a month. That’s tough for any team, especially in a game of this magnitude.

The game could go either way. There’s so many things that play into it like momentum and, once again, turnovers. But if it’s close, it’s going to be whoever is winning that battle up front.

Oklahoma is very capable on the offensive line. They’re outstanding. It’ll be interesting to see how Florida’s defense holds up against that big group. Oklahoma’s offensive line will have to neutralize Florida’s defensive speed. It’s going to be a fun game to watch. I’m looking forward to it.

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