Campus Confidential

When Florida has the ball

Abramson: Percy Harvin says he's not 100%, but pretty close. A 90% Percy Harvin is good enough to be a huge threat in this game. Expect Harvin to get anywhere between 10-15 offensive touches, and expect him to hit one home run. When it's not Harvin coming off the edge, the ball will likely be in Tim Tebow's hands. There's been some jawing and enough locker room fodder to keep Tebow motivated for this game. Tebow will be his usual self -- powering runs, good decisions, pinpoint throws, clutch plays. He has to be careful not to press in third-and-long situations -- where turnovers often transpire. He did fine in the Alabama game: In 3rd down situations of five yards or more, Tebow was 3-of-7 with two red zone touchdown passes. He also rushed twice for 17 yards. I do expect Florida to get very creative on offense, as their scheme as-is won't wow Oklahoma's defense all too much.

Rose: Florida is extremely balanced. You won't find a 1,000-yard rusher or 1,000-yard receiver on the roster. But that's what makes the Gators so dangerous. Five, maybe even six players can hurt you. I expect that strategy against Oklahoma. Florida will mix in Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey, Percy Harvin and Tim Tebow on the ground, all of whom have rushed for over 500 yards this season. Tebow will look for a variety of wide receivers, with Louis Murphy, Aaron Hernandez and Harvin being the main targets. But don't forget how deep this offense is. Players like David Nelson and Riley Cooper contributed and made some catches in the SEC title game against Alabama. The absence of Harvin hurt, but Florida showed it can go to other players in key spots. And then there's Tebow. Whenever a huge spot comes up, Tebow always seems to come through, whether it's a pass or run. He won't say it, but Tebow will be extra motivated to show Sam Bradford who the real Heisman Trophy winner is. That's fine. Tebow just can't let that get to his head and try to take the game over by himself. And don't forget about Tebow near the goal line. Tebow always find his way into the end zone. Urban Meyer will absolutely get creative in this game. You'll see some different looks with Florida's offense.

How Oklahoma will counter

Abramson: Well, if I am defensive coordinator Brett Venables I start with press coverage on the wide receivers and Travis Lewis on Aaron Hernandez when he releases. Otherwise, I have six men in the box and two deep with the strong safety not too far from the line of scrimmage. You don't want to lose on 27 slant patterns. If you create a lot of traffic and confusion within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and get some pressure with Jeremy Beal and the rest of the defensive line, some big things can happen. With veterans Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes as your safety valves, you can turn the heat up with the cornerbacks and linebackers. You can't rattle Tebow, but you can make him rush and try to make him predictable. The most important thing, however, is to tackle Percy Harvin when he has the football and make him pay for trying to run on you.

Rose: Oklahoma doesn't need to worry about Tebow going deep with passes. The Sooners need to be concerned about the Gators' receivers on the quick slants and turning those small gains into big gains. The pass coverage needs to be tight. Oklahoma can't give the Florida receivers a lot of room to catch and run. The Gators do not have big backs, so they won't hurt you running inside. They hurt you with speed. The Sooners need to force everything inside. Florida backs can't get around the ends and into open field. That speed is simply too much. Force it all to the inside. Pressuring Tebow will be important. In the loss to Mississippi earlier this season. Florida committed three turnovers, including a fumble by Tebow. Tebow was also sacked numerous times. Oklahoma can't allow Tebow to escape and get a head of steam when he takes off to run. Tackle Tebow hard. Same with Harvin. Tackle him hard. Oklahoma needs to shadow Harvin and Aaron Hernandez all game. Hernandez has become a go-to guy for Tebow, and Harvin is capable of breaking a touchdown whenever he touches the ball.

>> Photos of Florida & Oklahoma's preparation for the BCS National Title Game

When Oklahoma has the ball

Abramson: The key will be how much time Sam Bradford gets. We don't really know how the Heisman Trophy winner reacts when his jersey gets dirty. This is partly because he's so heady in the pocket and partly because his offensive line is so dominant. The problem OU faces is Florida's defensive speed. The Sooners have faced just two teams ranked inside the Top 50 in total defense this year -- and one of them was Cincinnati, who cannot come close to matching Florida's defense. I think you will see Bradford attempt at least 40 passes, something he's done just three times this year. Oklahoma is going to play to its strengths, and that's pass protection and the wide receiving corps/tight ends. With running back DeMarco Murray out, Chris Brown will add to an impressive season with 15-20 key carries.

Rose: Oklahoma, and especially quarterback Sam Bradford, hasn't seen a defense with this type of speed all season. The Sooners cannot let Bradford feel the pressure Florida will bring. Bradford hasn't been on the turf much this season. Let's see how he reacts when he gets knocked down a few times. Bradford works mostly out of the shotgun. He's accurate and smart. He's the key. Oklahoma should let Bradford control -- and win -- the game. That means giving him protection. With DeMarco Murray out, I am certain Bradford will be forced to throw the ball 35+ times. But Chris Brown is a 1,000-yard rusher, and Mossis Madu can be a good second option. Oklahoma needs to get both Brown and Madu involved early. That will take pressure off Bradford. Establish Brown and Madu on the ground. Make Florida's defense pay for whatever pressure schemes they plan to use. Bradford will take some shots downfield with Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson. Tight end Jermaine Gresham should also be a big part of the game plan. Gresham is 6-6 and 261 pounds, but can easily turn a short route into a long touchdown. Gresham has caught 58 balls for 888 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

How Florida will counter

Abramson: The obvious move is to unleash hell on that offensive line. Oklahoma's average opponent ranks 79.5 on defense -- which is leagues below Florida's group, especially up front. Let Jermaine Cunningham, Carlos Dunlap and Justin Trattou pin their ears back and let Major Wright, pictured, and Brandon Spikes worry about draws and screens. Speaking of Wright, he's going to be all over the place, as Bradford will be doing everything he can to hook up with Juaquin Iglesias. Florida's defensive secondary is not exactly the best in the country, but the group has found a way to survive all year against the likes of Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell, etc. If you're Charlie Strong, you approach Iglesias much like you did with Julio Jones in the SEC title game -- let him get his touches, don't be too aggressive and over allocate resources to neutralize him, but don't let him take over the game. Again, stay on top of Dunlap, Cunningham and Trattou (and pick your spots to blitz Brandon Spikes), and hope you can really get Bradford's head spinning.

Rose: Florida's defensive line -- led by Jermaine Cunningham (six sacks), Carlos Dunlap (nine sacks) and Justin Trattou -- will need to use speed against Oklahoma's massive offensive line. Remember that Texas game? Defensive end Bryan Orakpo and linebacker Sergio Kindle caused all sorts of problems for Oklahoma and Bradford in the second half of that game. In fact, Orakpo and Kindle really changed that game. Once Bradford got a little rattled, Texas took control. The Gators need a similar strategy. Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes (team-high 87 tackles, four INTs, two TDs) is going to need to keep an eye on Gresham and whichever running back Oklahoma will send out of the backfield for a pass. Florida's secondary is young, but good enough to handle the Oklahoma receivers. Sophomores Ahmad Black, Joe Haden, and Major Wright lead a group that is second in the nation in pass efficiency defense.

The X-Factor

Abramson: The tight ends. Dan Mullen loves to incorporate his versatile tight end into the offense. Hernandez does it all and Tim Tebow will look to to throw to him in the clutch. He's a matchup nightmare at 6'3, 255 and 4.55 speed. He will keep Oklahoma's linebackers honest when he's on the field. Similarly, Oklahoma's tight end Jermaine Gresham is incredibly active in that offense and loves to run the seam route for big yards. He's a gigantic target at 6'6 and has 58 catches this year, 12 for touchdowns -- a team high.

Rose: Special teams. With all of the speed and athleticism on the field, I expect to see a punt -- or kick -- returned for a touchdown. Florida's Brandon James has returned two punts for touchdowns this season.

Final prediction

Abramson: I am going to take the Gators, as I feel they are the more balanced team. I think the defense will punch Oklahoma in the gut early just enough to slow them down. Charlie Strong's unit has been stellar at times this year and I expect a big game from their go-to guys up front. I will take the Gators, 28-20.

Rose: Whenever I think about this game and the outcome, I see Florida winning. The Gators have a really good defense. What Oklahoma has done this season on offense has been incredible. But the Sooners haven't played a defense like they'll see come Thursday night. Tim Tebow is great player, and he's the most valuable player on the field. Florida's defense will step up and Tebow will again lead the Gators to a big win. Florida wins 31-23.

MVP

Abramson: Tim Tebow. I'm not sure you can really pick anyone else.

Rose: Tim Tebow, You can't simply go against this guy, who will go down as one of the best college football players of all time -- and one of college football's greatest leaders.

>> Photos of fans & cheerleaders at the BCS National Title Game