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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.

The NHL played its second annual Winter Classic yesterday at the frozen confines of Wrigley Field. The Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Detroit Red Wings in an outdoor hockey game on the infield of the Chicago Cubs home ballpark. Masterminded by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, this year’s classic eclipsed the inaugural event from last season and put hockey back on the national stage.

Two years removed from a lockout that wiped out an entire season, the NHL is fighting to put itself back on the sports map in America. The renewed success of Chicago, one of the original six, has accelerated that process. A Chicago vs. Detroit, the defending NHL Champions, outdoor match at Wrigley on NBC was truly must see TV. While the Blackhawks are one of the best teams in the league, the Red Wings showed that they’re still the cream of the crop and won the game 6-4.

Despite the loss, New Year’s Days’ extravaganza was a success for Chicago hockey and Chicagoans. It was a great opportunity for casual fans, or non-fans, to see hockey up close. Undoubtedly, the NHL and Blackhawks have many new fans as a direct result. Also, the people of Chicago had a chance to come out to Wrigley long after the end of the Cubs’ season. A day at Wrigley Field is always a great time, no matter what the weather. Even if you don’t understand, or care about, hockey, the ladies in the bleachers are just as good a show.