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They were stretched all around, as far as the eye could see, at the BCS National Championship Game last night in Miami. The Florida Gators, and game MVP Tim Tebow, beat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 to capture their second National Title in 3 years. Florida was also voted the AP National Champion in the poll released this morning.

Experts expected the game to be a shoot-out with two of the best offenses in the NCAA going head to head. Oklahoma did not score less than 35 points in any game this season en route to a 12-1 regular-season record and Big 12 championship. The Gators were also an offensive juggernaut, also finishing 12-1 and winning the SEC championship. It was Florida’s #4 ranked defense that made the difference.

Despite having the Heisman Trophy winner in Sam Bradford, Oklahoma was not able to put the points on the board that they are used to. They were stopped at the goal line twice in the first half, once on 4th down and once with an interception. Still, the game was neck and neck in the second half until Florida blocked an Oklahoma field goal attempt. After that play one could feel the momentum swing to Florida, and they ran away with the game. Tebow and Percy Harvin, who had missed a month with an injury and stayed in Florida over Christmas to rehab for the game, put the Sooners away.

Once again London Fletcher has been overlooked by the Pro Bowl, and will not be making the annual trip to Hawaii. In his 11 seasons, Fletcher has been an 8-time alternate. He has only been able to go if one of the two players picked ahead of him decides to pass up a free trip to Hawaii and five-figure bonus. Needless to say, he has not made the trip nearly as much as he would like.

Fletcher is considered the MVP of the Washington Redskins defense, the 4th ranked defense in the league. He is a great player, who regularly leads his team in tackles, but is quiet about his success. He does not dance when he makes a great play or cause controversy in the media. With a large percentage of Pro Bowl voting decided by the fans, this is probably what is holding him back. Most fans are of the Sportscenter variety; they see highlights and notice the biggest personalities. Players like Fletcher do not get noticed by these fans.

His being constantly overlooked for the Pro Bowl led Fletcher to compare himself with Susan Lucci. We all know her as the soap opera actress who was nominated for an Emmy 18 years in a row without winning. This is not a good comparison. While Fletcher is a good player, he has not been one of the best middle linebackers in the league during his time. He is not Hall of Fame worthy as he suggests. Susan Lucci is considered one of the legends of the genre, and unlike Fletcher, she eventually won.