Florida and Oklahoma met only once in their history: the 2009 BCS championship game. Although the Sooners were the nation’s main offensive that year, the Gators defense controlled the game with a 24 to 14 victory for the third national title. The 2020 Cotton Bowl is not for a national championship, but the first of six New Year’s clashes must be one of the most fun.
A clash between the top 10 and the 7th Gators presents one of FBS’s best offenses, although Florida’s attacking pass – ranked first nationally with 388.4 yards per game – doesn’t have its top four game makers after the tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes chose to prepare for the NFL Draft. WR Jacob Copeland will lose the game due to COVID-19, and several defensive players are also expected. The only good thing for the Gators? Heisman Trophy finalist Kyle Trask will begin his final game as a quarterback.
What will this mean for Oklahoma’s defense? The Sooners, long criticized for playing poorly on that side of the ball, have turned a corner in recent months. The defensive line duo of Ronnie Perkins and Isaiah Thomas is one of the best in Big 12. And don’t forget that Oklahoma can also score. Quarterback Spencer Rattler leads a talented group in Arlington, Texas, while OU seeks his first bowl victory under coach Lincoln Riley.
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