Rawkfanseth mentioned in another thread that Urban Meyer is one of the truly great coaches in football, having won two titles and gone undefeated in another season. He also mentioned that Meyer has historically struggled against Pelini defenses.
That conversation prompted me to take a second look. We know that during their SEC tenure, Meyer and Pelini met up three times in 2005-2007.
In 2005, the Gators finished 3rd in the SEC East (6th overall), but they managed to hold onto a Top 15 ranking through most of the season. When LSU played Florida, the Tigers and Gators were ranked #10 and #11, respectively. The 21-17 loss was a back-and-forth affair, but the Gators attempted a rally in the 4th quarter. Pelini's defense held them to just 30 yards in the final quarter, allowing LSU to put up the final points of the game.
2006 was Meyer's first national title at Florida, but it was not without close calls as the Gators barely escaped both Tennessee and South Carolina by a single point. The Tigers scored only once in the first half but their defense was instrumental in slowing the Gator attack. Florida scored twice in the first half - both on gimmick plays featuring a freshman Tim Tebow. Florida ultimately won, but QB starter Chris Leak was held without a TD pass for the entire game - the only time that happened to the Gators in 2006.
2007 was Pelini's last year at LSU (obviously- he started at NU in 2008). The Gators looked to repeat their National Title run, but Pelini and LSU had other ideas. While the Tiger offense bungled several scoring opportunities the defense held solid and kept the Tebow-fueled offense to only 1 touchdown in the second half, compared to LSU's 3 TDs.
Besides their SEC run, I don't know of any coaching history between Meyer and Pelini. I believe that UM was a grad assistant at OSU while Pelini was still a player, but I do not know if they coached against one another until their SEC days. However, in those three years Meyer was fielding some of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Pelini meanwhile, was turning out a dominant defense that is still a hallmark of LSU even after his departure. This season's game against Ohio State should be telling.
That conversation prompted me to take a second look. We know that during their SEC tenure, Meyer and Pelini met up three times in 2005-2007.
In 2005, the Gators finished 3rd in the SEC East (6th overall), but they managed to hold onto a Top 15 ranking through most of the season. When LSU played Florida, the Tigers and Gators were ranked #10 and #11, respectively. The 21-17 loss was a back-and-forth affair, but the Gators attempted a rally in the 4th quarter. Pelini's defense held them to just 30 yards in the final quarter, allowing LSU to put up the final points of the game.
2006 was Meyer's first national title at Florida, but it was not without close calls as the Gators barely escaped both Tennessee and South Carolina by a single point. The Tigers scored only once in the first half but their defense was instrumental in slowing the Gator attack. Florida scored twice in the first half - both on gimmick plays featuring a freshman Tim Tebow. Florida ultimately won, but QB starter Chris Leak was held without a TD pass for the entire game - the only time that happened to the Gators in 2006.
2007 was Pelini's last year at LSU (obviously- he started at NU in 2008). The Gators looked to repeat their National Title run, but Pelini and LSU had other ideas. While the Tiger offense bungled several scoring opportunities the defense held solid and kept the Tebow-fueled offense to only 1 touchdown in the second half, compared to LSU's 3 TDs.
Besides their SEC run, I don't know of any coaching history between Meyer and Pelini. I believe that UM was a grad assistant at OSU while Pelini was still a player, but I do not know if they coached against one another until their SEC days. However, in those three years Meyer was fielding some of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Pelini meanwhile, was turning out a dominant defense that is still a hallmark of LSU even after his departure. This season's game against Ohio State should be telling.
