Tsn's Bowl Preview

Sporting News, The, Dec 25, 2000 by Tom Dienhart

The second-round games are played at predetermined bowl sites--where the Gator, Cotton, Citrus and Fiesta bowls are contested in real life. The semifinals are held at the sites of the Sugar and Rose bowls, with the championship game at the Orange Bowl.

Oh, yeah, one final thing: Miami doesn't get hosed in our perfect world.

--Matt Hayes

RELATED ARTICLE: Defense first

Oklahoma and Florida State put up awesome offensive numbers en route to the national title game. But it was their stifling play without the ball that paved the way. By Michael Bradley

The feeling of invincibility set in during the first half against Maryland. OK, so the 2000 Terps weren't exactly overpowering. But any time a defense limits an opponent to one first down in 30 minutes, it has shut the door and bolted it.

By halftime on September 28, Florida State's defenders were in full lock-down mode. "We felt we were unstoppable that day," FSU linebacker Tommy Polley says of that 59-7 victory.

That same stuff was oozing from the pores of every Oklahoma defender a few weeks later when Nebraska came to Norman. The Cornhuskers, once more dangerous to the Plains than a Class 5 twister, managed just 328 yards of total offense. Nebraska couldn't establish the run or pass in a 31-14 loss.

Former Sooners coach Barry Switzer couldn't relate to this Oklahoma team's wide-open offense, but he sure could appreciate the defense. It was as if Lee Roy Selmon, George Cumby and The Boz were wearing the scarlet and cream again.

With all the talk about Heisman candidates under center, dangerous wideouts and productive running backs, many overlooked the real reasons Oklahoma and Florida State are playing for the national title. The Sooners and Seminoles boast aggressive defenses that are as stingy as their offensive counterparts am explosive. These days, lots of teams can pile on the points. Only the elite can shut opponents down.

"You know what they say," Polley says. "Offense sells tickets. Defense wins championships."

The teams' numbers are eerily similar. Florida State has allowed an average of 277.0 yards per game; Oklahoma has surrendered 278.9. FSU's opponents converted 25 percent of their third-down opportunities; the Sooners' foes succeeded 26 percent of the time. FSU is sixth nationally in total defense; OU is eighth. FSU gets the overall edge on the strength of its superior run-stopping ability and sack total. But it's close. Real close.

"Oklahoma is like many outstanding football teams," FSU head coach Bobby Bowden says. "You think about their offense, but their defense is like ours. It's their main thrust."

Neither defense is passive, but neither will take too many risks. So what separates them? Pure talent Florida State's defense is filled with potential NFL stars. Because of that, FSU can play some straight, old-fashioned defensive football, minimizing risk with zones and getting a great push from its front four. The Sooners must rely on pre-snap chicanery, disguising their ultimate intentions with a standard set before switching to something else.