2012 Taxslayer Gator Bowl Preview
2012 Taxslayer Gator Bowl Preview
The Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl might as well be called the Urban Meyer
Bowl. Is it just a coincidence that just before the Gator Bowl matchup
between the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten and Florida of the SEC
was announced that Ohio State unveiled former Gator head man Urban Meyer
as its new mentor?
Coincidence or not, the hoopla surrounding two 6-6 schools has been
increased with the story of Meyer watching his new program take on his
old one.
This will be the Gators’ ninth appearance in the bowl, which shares
their name, but the first time here since 1992. These two programs have
met just one time previously, with Florida posting a 41-14 win over the
Buckeyes in the 2007 BCS National Title Game.
A look at our current Gator Bowl spread shows Florida favored by 2 points, while the total has been set at 44 points.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes come into this matchup off three straight losses to
finish fourth in the Big Ten Leaders Division (3-5). Most recently, the
Buckeyes dropped a 40-34 contest to rival Michigan then hired Meyer as
their coach. The Buckeyes were 1-4 away from home, losing the last two.
On defense, the Buckeyes are a reasonable 26th nationally in points
allowed (21 points per contest) and give up 329 yards per game (186
through the air, 143 rushing) while recording 23 sacks and generating 17
turnovers.
C.J. Barnett paces this unit with 69 stops, while Andrew Sweat has 68
tackles and Jonathan Hankins has 64. John Simons leads with seven
sacks, Bradley Roby and Orhian Johnson each have three picks and Ryan
Shazier and Travis Howard has two forced fumbles.
On offense, Ohio State ranks just 75th in scoring (25 ppg) while
compiling 320 yards per contest (196 running, 124 passing). The ground
attack is anchored by Braxton Miller, Dan Herron and Carlos Hyde with a
combined 1,840 yards and 16 touchdowns on 5.0 yards per carry.
Miller connects on 50 % of his passes for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns
with four interceptions, while the offensive line has given up 40
sacks. The main receivers on the team are Corey Brown and Jake
Stoneburner with 14 grabs each for a total of 398 yards and eight
touchdowns, while Devin Smith has 12 receptions for 247 yards and four
scores.
Florida
The Gators began the year 4-0 under new head coach Will Muschamp, but
fell off during the meat of their schedule, going 2-6 the rest of the
way with five defeats against current top-25 teams to finish third in
the SEC East (3-5). The Gators were 1-4 as a visitor but 5-3 in the
state of Florida.
Florida rates 25th nationally in scoring defense (21 points per
contest) and surrenders 299 yards per game (167 throwing, 132 rushing)
while recording 22 sacks and generating 12 turnovers three of which were
taken back for scores (Jaye Howard, fumble; De’Ante Saunders and Jelani
Jenkins, picks).
Jonathan Bostic leads this unit with 86 tackles, while Ronald Powell
has five sacks. Matt Elam leads with two interceptions and two forced
fumbles while adding 72 stops.
Florida rates 72nd in the nation in scoring offense (26 ppg) while
totaling 334 yards per game (190 throwing, 144 rushing). John Brantley
has connected on 59 percent of his throws for 1,912 yards and 10
touchdowns with six picks. The offensive line has given up 23 sacks.
Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps lead the running attack with a combined
1,329 yards and eight touchdowns on 5.3 yards per tote, while Rainey and
Jordan Reed are the top receiving threats with 28 receptions each for a
combined 657 yards and four scores.
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