GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Everything the pundits predicted was wrong. Everything Urban Meyer and Florida did was right.

The singular conclusion that now stands before the college football nation after Florida dismantled top-ranked Ohio State 41-14 in Monday night's BCS national championship game is a new superpower has risen from the gnat-speckled humidity of Gainesville under the leadership of another offensive savant.

Whereas Steve Spurrier diagramed "ball plays" with his Fun 'n' Gun, Meyer instead creates choreographed chaos that is equal parts ballet and fire drill.

An empty backfield or three running backs lined up in a row behind the quarterback. Five receivers spread out. Five receivers bunched up. Option plays with receivers taking pitches. End arounds. Two quarterbacks. Quarterbacks in motion. Direct snaps to receivers. Constant movement, misdirection and stuff you just don't see outside of the sandlot.

Oh, and the Gators defense throttled an offense that averaged 36 points per game, sacking Troy Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, five times. He'd been sacked just 14 times previously.

Coaches play it humble and say the players win the games, and Meyer did just that, insisting, "There's no personal fulfillment. What's really important is watching their experience in that locker room."

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By TED MILLER
P-I COLUMNIST