Florida Gators
From the beginning of the season coach Steve Spurrier and his Gators appeared to have their work cut out for them. Losing nine starters, Florida was forced to endure a youth movement on defense, and on offense Doug Johnson's "iffy" status under center didn't give him the chance to provide direction to a unit starved for leadership. The Gators' biggest win of the season came early in the season against Tennessee. After that, Florida fell apart. While other teams around the country were improving, Florida was getting worse. The Gators were never able to throw the ball with the success Spurrier would have liked, Johnson finished with 20 TDs and 13 interceptions and Palmer, who saw significant time toward the end of the season, threw for under 50 percent on year. Some of the personnel swapping at QB came as a result of a rotator-cuff injury that Johnson has been nursing since Florida's win at LSU. Whatever the reason, the inconsistency at the position has hurt the communication between the Florida WRs Darrell Jackson and Travis Taylor, keeping them from establishing a relationship with an individual QB. Florida had success running the football. Spurrier preferred a RB-by-committee approach. Earnest Graham, Bo Carroll and Robert Gillespie all rushed for over 450 yards, keeping defenses on their heels. Defensively, sophomore Alex Brown has been incredibly productive, amassing a school-record 13 sacks, along with two interceptions and five forced fumbles. The inexperience of the Florida defense was a problem this season for Spurrier. In a year when he needed the ball to bounce the right way for his defense to have a chance at competing for a title, it did not.

Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State had two options: one, wallow in the wake of both Nick Saban's departure and missing out on a chance at a Rose Bowl bid; or two, ride the wave of a three-game winning streak into their date with the Florida Gators at the Citrus Bowl. School president Peter McPherson saw to it that the Spartans would choose the latter when he named Bobby Williams head coach after initially designating his status as interim. With that out of the way, State can now focus on gameplanning. The Spartan offense features WR Plaxico Burress (6'5 , 225 lbs.), and RBs Lloyd Clemons and T.J. Duckett. Burress was hampered midway through the year by senior QB Bill Burke's inefficiency throwing the ball,(16 interceptions). Clemons finished the season with 957 yards on the ground. Duckett had tallied 530 yards by season's end and both runners averaged more than five yards a try. Defense is the Spartans' strong suit; they yielded just 60 rushing yards a game, (second best in the nation). Their pass defense was led by the rush of DE Robaire Smith and the coverage of CB Amp Campbell. The Spartans are a streaky team, starting their season with six consecutive victories and ending it with three wins in a row.

Keys to the game
1.Doug Johnson's ailing shoulder. Since a win at Louisiana Sate Doug Johnson has been bothered by his right shoulder and the soreness in his rotator cuff. It limited him to just two passing attempts against Alabama in the SEC Championship. Johnson's arm requires rest -- if it doesn't heal Palmer will see most of the action at QB, which is a problem. Palmer hasn't developed a rhythm throwing all season and a month off won't change that. If Johnson doesn't play, then Florida doesn't throw with success and will be forced to run the ball. State's run defense is too good and will dispose of whoever the Gators ask to carry the football. Johnson must play in order for Florida to establish a passing game.

2.Burke must value the ball. Burke needs to play under control and with his head. The Gators will throw a nasty blitz package at him, because they are aware of his immobility. Burke has been quick to throw errant passes this season when under heavy pressure. That led to 16 interceptions. If Burke throws multiple interceptions, the Spartans won't have a shot. 3. Duckett and Clemens need plenty of carries. T.J. Duckett and Lloyd Clemons are both bigger backs, and they have success when they get lots of carries and are able to get into the flow. Using Duckett and Clemons early will allow them to to get into a groove and produce, and it will keep the Florida LBs from blitzing all the time and having the chance to tee off on Burke.

War Room Edge: Florida Gators
Spurrier has too much anger and time to get his squad ready for this matchup with the Spartans. Expect State QB Burke to continue his recent struggles at the hands of an intense Florida blitz package, resulting in a few early and costly turnovers. Palmer won't have to do all that much once Burke and his offense have beaten themselves. Florida goes up early in this one and doesn't look back.

Material from The War Room. Visit their web site at http://www.nflwarroom.com