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Louisville's defense hounded Jeff Driskel, the Florida quarterback, in Wednesday's Sugar Bowl.

(Photo by Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports)

Louisville claimed a shocking victory over Florida Wednesday, 33-23, prompting us to wonder: Had Rutgers topped Louisville in the season's final regular-season game and landed a berth in the Sugar Bowl, would the Scarlet Knights have been able to upend the No. 4 Gators?

THREE REASONS RUTGERS COULD HAVE BEATEN FLORIDA

DEFENSE

The Scarlet Knights defense would’ve been able to frustrate Jeff Driskel, the Florida quarterback, even more than the Cardinals. Driskel completed just 16 of 29 passes for 175 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. He also lost a fumble. His three turnovers led to 20 points.

Driskel’s pick-six interception by Terrell Floyd, Cardinals cornerback, on the first play of the game is the type of big play the Scarlet Knights’ secondary came up with all season. Driskel's other interception came in the end zone with the Gators threatening.

The Scarlet Knights, with their strong run defense, would’ve also made Florida one-dimensional, likely holding the Gators to fewer than the 111 yards rushing compiled Wednesday.

FLORIDA WASN'T READY TO PLAY

The Gators were primed for the upset. They were still feeling down after losing a shot at the SEC Championship game and BCS Championship game berth with their lone loss -- midway through the season to Georgia. This was the Consolation Bowl to them while it would’ve meant everything to Rutgers.

Also, it's possible the Gators had little respect for Louisville and the Big East, just as many seem to have nowadays. The Knights, as were the Cardinals, would’ve been motivated by that lack of respect. Louisville was a two- touchdown underdog but pulled off the shocking upset, becoming the third double-digit underdog to win a BCS bowl game.

FLORIDA'S DECISION NOT TO BLITZ IN FIRST HALF

That strategy would’ve played right into the hands of the Scarlet Knights. If you don’t pressure Gary Nova, Rutgers' quarterback, he’ll be able to smartly manage the Rutgers offense, as he did through the first seven games of the season.

In the first half, Florida didn’t blitz and fell behind 24-3. The Gators made the adjustment at half but by then it was too late. They were too far downhill to climb back up.

For the game, Teddy Bridgewater, the Louisville quarterback named the Big East's top offensive player last month, completed 83 percent of his passes when the Gators rushed four or fewer.

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THREE REASONS WHY RUTGERS WOULDN'T HAVE BEATEN FLORIDA

THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS

The game may have been won here by Louisville and the Scarlet Knights were dreadful on third down late in the season, stalled by questionable play-calling and poor execution.

Bridgewater was 7-of-11 on third downs with all seven completions resulting in first downs. Overall, Louisville converted 9-of-14 third downs against a stout Florida defense.

Conversely, the Gators made good on just 3-of-10 third down situations.

COACHING

Charlie Strong, the Louisville coach, was defensive coordinator at Florida before taking his first head coaching job. It seems if anyone is equipped to shut down the Gators’ offense it’s Strong. Plus, he had more than a month to prepare.

In only his third season, Strong, who turned down the Tennessee job recently, has taken the Louisville program to new heights (thanks in part to his program-changing quarterback). Strong told his players this was an opportunity to take the program to the next level and his players bought in and more importantly, executed.

Kyle Flood, the Rutgers coach, did a solid job in his first season but his loyalty to Nova, who struggled down the stretch, and his inability to get his team -- arguably more talented than Louisville -- to perform in the big game is the lasting image of Rutgers' season.

QUARTERBACKING

Bridgewater is among the top quarterbacks in the country and he showed why in his final two games this season.

Against Rutgers, he played on a badly injured ankle and with a fractured left wrist but rallied the Cardinals from an 11-point halftime deficit.

Against Florida, Bridgewater completed 20 of 32 passes for 266 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, making pinpoint passes on a pair of touchdowns. His poise, precision and mobility make him a truly impressive player.

Nova, who is also a sophomore, became unglued in the big games as Rutgers' offensive playcalling became increasingly more conservative and predictable. Though the coaches seemed reticent to give Nova a chance, their lack of trust in the quarterback is indicative of the fact he's not ready yet to be a playmaker in the Rutgers offense