FORT LAUDERDALE - The Gators' scout offense sure must be tired.
For the past week, UF's backups' backups have been running Oklahoma's no-huddle offense in preparation for Thursday's BCS National Championship Game, and that doesn't leave you much time to catch your breath.
While the Gators have faced some of the nation's elite speed in the Southeastern Conference - on offense and defense - they are at least reprieved by having opponents' run mostly slower, dink-and-dunk, run-heavy offenses.
Now, however, Brandon Spikes and the gang better keep their helmets on, because even when they get a quick break on the sideline, there's no time for rest against the Sooners.
"We haven't played a team that's as fast-paced as them," free safety Major Wright said. "They get on the ball, they're ready to go. Get on the ball, they're ready to go."
That shows in their numbers. Heisman-winning quarterback Sam Bradford has attempted 442 passes this year (174 more than Tebow) and the Sooners have run the ball 560 times for a total of 1,057 offensive plays this year. By comparison, the Gators have only run 800 plays.
"You just got hold your count and watch the ball," cornerback Joe Haden said. "Ever since the Alabama game, we've just been preparing for no-huddle ball."
The no-huddle offense also makes it difficult for UF's defensive line, which has been depleted by injuries and, as defensive line coach Dan McCarney put it, it's only him, Jaye Howard and Torrey Davis as the backups on the interior line. For the big guys who get fatigued the fastest, that's a difficult situation.
"Ball goes out of bounds, clock stops," said McCarney, who likes to substitute players in and out of the game frequently. "Take a timeout, you can substitute. Other than that, you got to be real careful (substituting)."
It's hard to deny the Sooners' talent with two 1,000 yard rushers (DeMarco Murray, who will miss the game, and Chris Brown) and five receivers with at least 27 catches.
The Gators are going to do their best to make them look as talented as The Citadel looked, though.
"We've got speed on the defensive line that I don't think they've seen before," linebacker Ryan Stamper said. "I just think that we'll match up well with them."
If UF does slow down Oklahoma - which is obviously almost impossible against an offense that averages 54 points per game - it could be a very good day for the Gators. As Spikes said, it's all about UF's defense stepping up because the offense should do its job just fine.
"They're kind of a step slower," Spikes said of Big 12 Conference defenses. "It seems like the more athletic players are mostly on offense in the Big 12. In the (Southeastern Conference) most of (the players) on the defensive side they could probably go to the offense play a little slot, a little tight end. It'll be different for them when they see the speed on our defense."
