2012 Taxslayer Gator Bowl Overview
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The Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl might as well be called the Urban Meyer Bowl. Is it just a coincidence that just prior to the Gator Bowl matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten and the Florida Gators of the SEC was announced that the Buckeyes unveiled former Gator head man Urban Meyer as its new field general?
Coincidence or not, the hoopla surrounding two 6-6 schools has been increased with the story of Meyer watching his new school take on his old one.
This will be Florida’s ninth showing in the Gator Bowl, which shares their name, but the first time here dating back to 1992. These two schools have met just one time previously, with the Gators notching a 41-14 victory over the Buckeyes in the 2007 BCS National Title Game.
A look at our latest Gator Bowl odds shows Florida favored by 2 points, while the total has been posted at 44 points.
Ohio State
Ohio State enters this bowl off three consecutive defeats to end up fourth in the Big Ten Leaders Division (3-5). Recently, the Buckeyes lost a 40-34 contest to rival Michigan – then brought on Meyer as their coach. The Buckeyes were 1-4 as a visitor, losing the final two.
Defensively, the Buckeyes are a respectable 26th nationally in points allowed (21 points per game) and give up 329 yards per game (186 passing, 143 rushing) while recording 23 sacks and forcing 17 turnovers.
C.J. Barnett anchors the defense with 69 tackles, 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.
Offensively, Ohio State rates just 75th in points (25 ppg) while totaling 320 yards per contest (196 on the ground, 124 through the air). The ground attack is led by Braxton Miller, Dan Herron and Carlos Hyde with a combined 1,840 yards and 16 touchdowns on 5.0 yards per attempt.
Miller connects on 50 % of his attempts for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns with four picks, while the offensive line has given up 40 sacks. The main pass catchers on the team are Corey Brown and Jake Stoneburner with 14 receptions each for a total of 398 yards and eight touchdowns, while Devin Smith has 12 receptions for 247 yards and four touchdowns.
Florida
Florida began the year 4-0 under new head coach Will Muschamp, but fell off during the last part of their schedule, going 2-6 down the stretch with five defeats versus current top-25 schools to end up third in the SEC East (3-5). The Gators were 1-4 as a visitor but 5-3 in their home state.
Florida rates 25th in the nation in points against (21 points per contest) and surrenders 299 yards per contest (167 through the air, 132 on the ground) while recording 22 sacks and enticing 12 turnovers – three of which were taken back for scores (Jaye Howard, fumble; De’Ante Saunders and Jelani Jenkins, picks).
Jonathan Bostic anchors the defense with 86 tackles, while Ronald Powell has five sacks. Matt Elam leads with two interceptions and two forced fumbles while chipping in 72 tackles.
Florida rates 72nd in the country in points (26 ppg) while gaining 334 yards per game (190 throwing, 144 running). John Brantley has connected on 59 % of his throws for 1,912 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 23 sacks.
Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps lead the ground attack with a combined 1,329 yards and eight touchdowns on 5.3 yards per tote, while Rainey and Jordan Reed are the main receiving options with 28 grabs each for a combined 657 yards and four touchdowns.
Take a look at the football bowl odds on every single game this year at BetFirms. Sign up for the college bowl picks offered by our experts and increase your chances of beating those odds.
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