Scottsdale, Ariz. – Troy Smith likes fast food hamburgers. Anthony Gonzalez is one of the most exploited individuals in the United States. Jim Tressel owns more sweaters than Cliff Huxtable. Quinn Pitcock is a Connect Four fanatic.

In other words, the seemingly endless line of press conferences that takes place on a daily basis here in the Phoenix area are awash in petty garbage. The questions asked by the media are bad, and the answers to those questions given by the players are worse.

Time to talk some football. The following is a quick breakdown of some key match-ups that will determine the outcome of tonight’s BCS National Championship Game. Who knows – perhaps Gonzo will shut up just long enough to exploit the Florida defense.

When the Buckeyes are on offense:Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. versus Florida cornerback Ryan Smith…

Smith’s eight interceptions lead the Gators and his ability to shut down top wide receivers elevated the junior to starter status in 2006. Ginn is faster than Charlie Weis chasing a pig covered in barbeque sauce. Something’s gotta give. If Smith is able to shut down Ginn with the help of free safety Reggie Nelson, fellow Buckeyes receiver Anthony Gonzalez will be free to eat up yardage underneath the Gators’ secondary. If Smith can hold Ginn to modest gains by himself, Gonzo and the rest of the Buckeyes’ receivers could be contained. Although OSU quarterback Troy Smith has been a master of spreading the football to a variety of different receivers, freeing up the ball-hawking Nelson by containing Ginn one-on-one could lead to a frustrating night for the Heisman Trophy-winning Smith.

Prediction: In all likelihood, the game against the Gators will be Ginn’s last as a Buckeye. Look for the speedy No. 7 to make NFL scouts drool in this one to the tune of eight receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns – the second of which coming on a long-awaited kickoff return to the house.

OSU left tackle Alex Boone versus Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey…

Boone is the size of a 1980s East German female athlete and possesses the quick feet of Mario Lopez on a second-rate reality show. Harvey is slender for a lineman, cat-like and as smooth as Colin Farrell in a room full of high school cheerleaders. He leads the Gators with 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks. If Boone can keep Harvey in check by forcing him out of Smith’s pocket area, look for the Buckeyes’ quarterback to find the time to spray the football around the field. If Harvey proves to get the best of the massive Boone, look for Smith to throw on the run early and often. Although Smith is perfectly capable of connecting on the move, he’s more able to find the receiver he wants when he’s comfortable in the pocket. Smith’s success is a result of his accuracy and his decision-making – the best way to stop him is to put a body in his face, as Illinois found out earlier this year.

Prediction: Boone has proven to be the real deal and is destined for All-America status in the future, but Harvey is the type of end that will seriously test him. Look for the two stars to trade punches throughout the game, leading to an occasional Smith error that could keep the Gators close until the final gun.

When the Gators are on Offense:Florida wide receivers Dallas Baker, Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell versus OSU cornerbacks Malcolm Jenkins and Antonio Smith…

Harvin is perhaps the only player in the nation who can run with Ginn. Baker is a great leaper who is known by the moniker “Touchdown Maker.” Caldwell is a solid blend of speed and hands. There is no doubt the Gators’ receivers rank among the best in the country as a unit, and with four-year starter Chris Leak heaving the ball in their direction, the Florida air attack keeps opposing defensive coordinators up later than an eight ball and a case of Red Bull. But don’t tell that to Buckeyes’ corners Smith and Jenkins. Smith is a former walk-on who has come out of nowhere to nab a starting job and a Thorpe Award semi-finalist nomination, and Jenkins has established himself as the latest Buckeye corner to achieve All-Big Ten status. If Smith and Jenkins can lock down the Gators’ receivers by themselves and allow safeties Jamario O’Neal and Brandon Mitchell to play the run, game over. If the boys from Gainesville can spread the OSU secondary deep, look for Florida running back DeShawn Wynn to have room to sprint past the Buckeyes’ front seven and into the clear.

Prediction: There’s no doubt Baker, Harvin and Caldwell will get theirs at times during this game. Harvin will outshine them all, however, by becoming a household name with his blazing speed and lightning-quick cuts. Harvin finishes with two touchdowns, 90 yards receiving and adds two long gains on a return and a trick play.

So who’s it going to be? Chris Leak and Percy Harvin have big days, DeShawn Wynn is solid and the Gators… break the hearts of millions of Floridians after the OSU defense recovers just enough from their letdown against Michigan. Ted Ginn takes home the MVP and Troy Smith returns home only to be drafted by his hometown Browns. Sorry, Troy – at least your mantel’s full. Ohio State 34, Florida 30.

Scott Woods can be reached at [email protected].