Sports

TEBOW, KILLER DEFENSE TO EAT UP OKLAHOMA

BOB STOOPS, as any polite coach would have done, offered advice some four years ago to one Urban Meyer.

Stoops, as he is now, was coach at Oklahoma, and Meyer, at that time, was coach at Utah. Fresh off a BCS appearance with his Utes, Meyer was the nation’s hot name, the “it” guy. As such, he was entertaining offers from other schools. One such place was the University of Florida, where Stoops once was the defensive coordinator.

EXPANDED MATCHUPS, TRENDS

“It’s ironic,” Stoops said with a laugh. “Urban contacted me and asked about my experiences there. Unfortunately, I helped get him there.”

A national championship and two SEC titles later, the rest is history. Meyer, still quite the “it” guy, has his Gators (12-1) in position for a second national crown in three years. All he must do is take care of the guy who took care of him 48 months ago: Stoops and his high-flying Sooners (12-1) Jan. 8.

“Obviously, they’re a great team,” Stoops said. “We’re excited for the challenge.”

More excited than we are, certainly. That’s because for weeks – while others waited for them to fall – we simply rode these two horses all the way to Miami.

Nebraska, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Missouri, all Sooner-slashed victims as Stoops’ crew rebounded from a 45-35 loss to Texas. Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida State, Alabama, all Gator-bitten victims as Meyer’s crew rebounded from a 31-30 loss to Ole Miss. Ahh, those were the days.

But it says here we have to pick a side, so we’ll abide. The Gators simply have more speed, health and talent on defense. That’s what seals it.

You can have Stoops’ questionable BCS record. You can have the Heisman Jinx that’s now hovering over Sam Bradford. You can have the fact that Florida is playing in Florida. All factors, yes, but not important ones.

What matters to us is defense. The offenses, as diverse as they may be, are so fast, so skilled, so lethal, that – in the end – they’ll cancel each other out.

But which team can get the other off the field enough? That’s what it boils down to for us. We believe it’s Florida, a defense with speed Oklahoma hasn’t seen. A defense that has allowed 20 points or less in its last seven. A defense that allows just 174 yards through the air.

Oklahoma will dent the Dolphin Stadium scoreboard, no doubt. The Sooners easily will surpass those Gator averages, for sure. But that’s where Tim Tebow comes in.

“Tim is a winner,” Meyer said. “He wants to win. He’s motivated like us all, but he’s truly a team-first guy.”

Who didn’t win the Heisman. That can only help our cause here. Florida (-3) is the pick.

GAMES COMPLETED

Wake Forest (-3) over Navy: Tough to beat a team twice, as Virginia Tech proved against BC in the ACC title game. The Deacons get revenge. (W)

Fresno State (-2 1/2) over Colorado State: The Bulldogs can make up for a disappointing year and close in style. (L)

Memphis (+12 1/2) over South Florida: We’ll take the hot team over the home team, as we still have questions with the Bulls’ offense. (L)

Arizona (-3) over BYU: A win over Arizona State? Check. A bowl win? To be determined. Mike Stoops’ job security depends on it. (W)

Troy (-4 1/2) over Southern Miss: The Eagles will be happy to be there after a rugged start. The Trojans’ tough schedule will have them prepared. (L)

TCU (-2 1/2) over Boise State: Trap City. The undefeated, Top 10 darling team with the blue field is an underdog? Run. (L)

Notre Dame (+1) over Hawaii: We know Charlie Weis won’t be spending his time on the beach, right? The Irish need this one. (W)

Central Michigan (-7) over Florida Atlantic: The Chippewas have covered the last two Motor City Bowls. Why stop now? (L)

North Carolina (pick) over West Virginia: Edge goes to the Heels in the Charlotte stands, and on the sidelines with Butch Davis. (L)

Florida State (-4 1/2) over Wisconsin: The Seminoles – surprise, surprise – had another disappointing year. But Bobby Bowden covers bowls, and his defense has more speed than the Badgers. (W)

Cal (-7 1/2) over Miami: Stick the Hurricanes with the Seminoles in the Disappointment Bowl. Miami’s getting better, but the Bears have more experienced athletes. (L)

Louisiana Tech (+1 1/2) over Northern Illinois: Not sure the Huskies belong in a bowl, and the Bulldogs will have a home crowd. (W)

Rutgers (-8) over N.C. State: Win one for Bob Mulcahy. That, and the Wolfpack can’t stop the pass. Memo to Mike Teel. (L)

Northwestern (+12 1/2) over Missouri: The Wildcats are getting healthy, and have to be thrilled with this opportunity. Mizzou, after consecutive dreadful losses? Not so much. (W)

Maryland (+1) over Nevada: The Terrapins will be good next year, and something tells us Ralph Friedgen will treat this as a springboard. (W)

Rice (-3) over Western Michigan: We tend to shy away from MAC teams – minus Central Michigan – this time of year. The Owls can light it up. (W)

Oklahoma State (-3) over Oregon: Toss-up. But the Ducks have been in this spot before. For the Cowboys, this could clearly cap a tremendous season. We say they cash it in. (L)

Houston (-2 1/2) over Air Force: The Cougars have problems stopping the pass, but the Falcons don’t pass. (W)

Pitt (+3) over Oregon State: Another toss-up, but we have questions about the Beavers’ health and frame of mind after losing out on the Rose Bowl. (P)

Boston College (-3 1/2) over Vanderbilt: The door is wide open for a three-point Eagles’ victory, as BC always seems to win and not cover this time of year. But the Com modores don’t have enough off ense for our en dorsement. (L)

Minnesota (+10) over Kansas: Line a little too inflated for us after the Jayhawks’ upset of Missouri. (L)

Georgia Tech (-4) over LSU: Home game for the Jackets. Tech already has beaten two SEC teams. (L)

Iowa (-3 1/2) over South Carolina: Ask Penn State about the underrated Hawkeyes defense. We feel the crew coming down from Iowa City may want this, and appreciate this more. (W)

Georgia (-7 1/2) over Michigan State: Originally thought Sparty had some juice, but the Bulldogs will be in a foul mood after losing to Georgia Tech. (W)

Nebraska (+2 1/2) over Clemson: To us, Clemson’s season is already made. The coaching situation is settled, and the Tigers defeated state rival South Carolina. House-money teams usually get sent packing. (W)

Penn State (+9 1/2) over USC: Danger zone, we know. But this isn’t Illinois or Michigan. The Lions will be ready. (L)

Virginia Tech (+2) over Cincinnati: A look-ahead game for the Hokies, who should be great next year. Look for Frank Beamer to start next season here. (W)

Texas Tech (-5 1/2) over Ole Miss: Tough call, but motivation will be plentiful for the Red Raiders. Playing in Texas won’t hurt, either. (L)

Kentucky (+2 1/2) over East Carolina: We’ll jump on the wounded SEC team, as the Pirates may be a little hung over after winning Conference USA. (W)

Alabama (-10 1/2) over Utah: Shades of Georgia-Hawaii from last season. The Tide close a great season in style. (L)

UConn (-4 1/2) over Buffalo: Line a little low because of the Bulls’ fortuitous upset of Ball State. Take advantage. (W)

Ohio State (+9 1/2) over Texas: The Longhorns are lethal, but the Buckeyes’ defense will be the best they’ve seen. (W)

Tulsa (+2 1/2) over Ball State: The Cardinals lost their league, then their coach. What a difference a month makes. (W)

Final Bowl Record: 18-15-1

Regular Season: 115-102-4, 24-20-1.

tsullivan@nypost.com