It’s now been 10 days since the University of Florida Gators dismantled Ohio State and won the national championship in football. And yet there lingers on among some pundits and Buckeyed fans a sense that OSU’s 51-day layoff played a key role in the outcome.
It played a role, but not a key one. Don’t forget the Gators had a bye month – actually 37 days – between games. They used it to get better.
A layoff can affect timing – but not raw speed. UF won because of better preparation, better motivation and better athletes.