In last week’s debut episode of the Big 12 Soundoff, I spoke with KUSports.com online editor Jesse Newell about my dream matchup in the BCS Championship: Oklahoma vs. Florida.Wish granted, thanks to Saturday’s Big 12 and SEC Championship games.This is what I’ve been waiting for all along: Big 12 vs. SEC for the BCS Championship. It’s only fitting.Let’s finally settle which conference is college football’s best for the 2008 season. Let’s see what happens when opposing styles collide between Florida’s stellar defense and OU’s juggernaut offense.Curiously, Oklahoma and Florida have never faced each other in the storied histories of either program.For now, these are the two hottest teams in college football. Oklahoma has outscored its opponents, 702-319, this season. The Sooners have won by an average of 32.75 points per game in their 12 victories. Florida has outscored its opponents, 587-167. The Gators have won by an average of 35.08 in their 12 victories. For the next month leading up to the Jan. 8 championship, you’ll hear the words of the proud SEC pundits: Oklahoma’s not seen a defense like Florida, fifth in the nation in scoring defense with only 12.8 points given up per game. Welcome to SEC football, home of the factory for NFL prospects. Home of the best conference in college football for the last how many years? It’s been so many we’ve lost track.Then, there’s the Big 12 side. The Sooners may not have seen a defense like Florida’s all year, but this much is certain: The Gators haven’t seen the record-breaking machine known as the OU offense that does what it wants when it wants. Crowd the line of scrimmage? Sam Bradford, who deserves to win the Heisman Trophy, will make you pay. Respect the pass? Hey, that’s fine, even with an injured DeMarco Murray. Chris Brown and Mossis Madu can carry the load. The constant in OU’s balance is that it has the best offensive line in the nation. The big fellas up front are conditioned to anchor an offense that operates at the fastest pace in between plays in college football. Whether it’s giving Bradford time to throw or creating running lanes, they constantly make defenses guess.With the 62 points OU hung on Missouri, the 2008 Sooners and their 702 total points became the highest-scoring team in NCAA history, according to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records book, which dates back to 1937. This title game can’t get here fast enough. So let me ask you guys: Who ya got on Jan. 8 in Miami?Let’s also predict a line and over-under. I’ll say Florida’s favored by three, with an over-under set at 62. What do you guys think?Here’s the other Big 12 BCS bowl game:Texas vs. Ohio State — Fiesta BowlThoughts: Not the game Texas wanted, but this should still be an interesting matchup. Coach Mack Brown has a heck of a motivating task ahead of him, but crushing Ohio State could propel Texas into No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Split national title?Here are the other Big 12 bowl games:
Now moving on to the Week 15 awards:Performer of the week: Mossis Madu, OklahomaDeMarco Murray was injured on the opening kickoff and didn’t return, but that didn’t stop the Sooners from boasting their typical 1-2 punch on the ground. Chris Brown moved into the role as primary back, carrying 27 times for 122 yards and three scores. Madu, typically the third-string back, picked up the slack as the second option when he carried 15 times for 114 yards and an additional three touchdowns. Murray didn’t register a carry and OU still raced to 243 yards and six scores on the ground. Think this team has just a little depth?Biggest surprise of the week: Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell stating he wouldn’t be surprised if coach Mike Leach leftThis was a bit odd. Only because now, there are reports the Red Raiders have offered Leach a five-year, $12.1 million contract. Leach is expected to make a decision at the beginning of the week. So is he staying or leaving? I think he needs to stay. Sure, Tech is in the middle of nowhere on the map, but come on, Washington? The same Washington that went 0-12 (0-9 Pac-10) this season? Please. Tech’s second string could beat Washington. He doesn’t need to rebuild another program. He’s already done that in Lubbock, Texas. Of course there will be recruiting wars with Texas and OU. But he got Harrell, didn’t he? He got Michael Crabtree, the best receiver in college football. Coach, do the Big 12 a favor and stay at Tech.That’s all for now, friends. As always, discuss.
