florida dots buckeyes

The most shocking thing about OSU's loss Monday night was the old stereotype it so plainly reinforced. We'd been hearing all week about Florida's speed. We dismissed it because, wasn't Ohio State almost as speedy? Um, not even close.

It was sad, watching the Heisman winner's college career end in a heap in his own backfield. Troy Smith better have gotten Derrick Harvey's mailing address. Harvey was in Smith's face so often, they got to know each other very well. Florida was fast; OSU was clunky, especially on the offensive line. Isnt that how it used to be? Big, strong, slow Big 10 vs. lean, quick, athletic Florida teams, be it Miami, Florida or FSU.

For a half Chris Leak, Florida's average QB, looked like Peyton Manning against the Bengals. He found every hole in the OSU zone. The kid's not known for his deep ball, yet OSU's linebackers spent lots of time 20 yards off the ball. How come?

While we're at it: What was Tressel thinking going for it at his 29, down just 10 in the 2nd quarter? And doesn't college football have to do better than 51 days between games?

It's no coincidence that warm weather places like Florida (also defending NCAA hoop champs) and USC are on a nice run, especially in football. That's where the country's population is shifting. More kids = more athletes = more championships. Meantime, we in the Midwest awake this morning to 28 degrees and grass stain on our faces. Big and strong was enough, when it didnt play big, strong and fast.