Mythical Playoffs (Round 2) 04 Auburn vs 08 Florida
By SECFans on July 5 2009 8:31 PM
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Game Twelve: 2004 Auburn Tigers (13-0) vs 2008 Florida Gators (13-1)
Tournament to
Date:
04 Auburn:
Defeated 1994 Florida 27-13
(Players of the
Game: Carnell Williams, Jason Williams)
08 Florida:
Defeated 2002 Georgia 31-28
(Players of
the Game: Major Wright, Percy Harvin)
Argument for Auburn:
What does it take to stop the 08 UF offense? Speed and physicality. This defense had both. Quentin Groves and Stanley McClover were flat out burners off the edge. They were also big enough to handle Tebow one on one. Auburn doesn't want a high scoring affair, and considering their domination of SEC foes in 04, they may be a little uneasy if this one is close late in the game. Campbell is accurate enough, and Borges' schemes are crafty enough to keep this Gator defense on its heels. Look for the run to be established early. And if Jason Campbell can get it going to Ben Obomanu and Devin Aromashodu, Auburn can put Florida in an uncomfortable position.
Argument for Florida:
Outside of the loss to Ole Miss, this 08 squad was met with very little resistance from SEC foes in 2008. The 2004 Auburn team didn't see speed like Florida brings to the table. It also didn't see a passer as accurate as Tim Tebow during the entire 04 campaign. A versatile Tebow may run a bit, but he really needs to use his arm to beat the Auburn Tigers. Brandon Spikes and Co will be called upon early and often to stop this powerful running attack in the form of Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams.
How it Plays Out:
Auburn knows where it makes its money: the running game. Carnell Williams starts his day with back to back sprints off left tackle. With both Williams and Brown in the backfield, Florida prepares for a power game from the Tigers. This is where Borges gets creative. A screen pass and a wheel route gets Campbell going without having to engage the WRs at all. Auburn's first drive resulted in a lot of yards, a lot of time, but only 3 points as the receivers were unable to get involved. Florida's first drive resulted in a 3 and out after Tim Duckworth crushed an unfortunate Demps as he slipped on an attempt to make a cut against the grain.
Auburn's next drive showed promise until Campbell was sacked on a surprise safety blitz from Major Wright. Percy Harvin took a punt inside the Gator 5, much to the chagrin of Florida coaches. However, his speed and will alone got the ball out to the 28. A beautiful ball fake to Harvin and a laser to Louis Murphy put the Gators in business at the Auburn 49. The next play was Tebow at his finest. His first option, Harvin, was bottled up by Carlos Rogers. Going through his progressions, he couldn't find a single player in blue with any separation from the Auburn secondary. He decided to tuck it, and he reeled off a 23 yarder. Two plays later, Demps cruised into the end zone after making the Auburn front 7 look like it was standing still. Auburn punched another field goal through to draw within 1 of the Gators at the half: Florida 7 Auburn 6.
Tommy Tuberville scowls at the ref to start the 2nd half. A block in the back penalty on the opening kickoff resulted in the Tigers starting from their own 7 yard line. On the drive, Caddillac Williams had 6 touches for 61 yards. Ben Obomanu got involved with a 26 yard post for a TD. Auburn then attempted, and converted a 2 point conversion, to make the score 14-7 Tigers.
Auburn tried to catch the Florida special teams napping. It didn't work. A surprise onside kick after the TD was recovered by Tate Casey, giving the Gators excellent starting field position. It didn't take Florida long to capitalize. Keeping the ball exclusively on the ground, Harvin and Rainey made the difference as they combined for 55 yards and a Percy touchdown for exclamation. The remainder of the 3rd quarter saw the Gators add another TD and the Tigers manage a field goal. Score: Auburn 17 Florida 21.
Auburn, with its back against the wall, found itself trailing 17-21 to the Gators with only 2:17 remaining. Starting from their own 23, Campbell found Ben for a quick 12 yard gain. Ronnie Brown took a draw from Campbell in the shotgun and blasted it up the middle for 9. Tight end Cooper Wallace caught one to put Auburn near midfield. Then, in a play that may have been a year early, Campbell found a streaking Aromoshadu in stride across the middle for a 45 yard bomb. With 38 seconds remaining, and down by four, the Tigers needed a TD. The Gator defense, not expecting a screen inside the 10, were caught off guard when the Auburn offensive line allowed the Florida defenders with a nearly unimpeded path to the quarterback...only to see the ball looped over their heads to the outstretched arms of Ronnie Brown. Touchdown Auburn. Tigers advance.
Final Score: Auburn 24 Florida 21
Link to Bracket
(possible spoiler)
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