updated 8:33 p.m. ET Jan. 5, 2009

MIAMI - Percy Harvin says his sprained ankle is “90 percent” healed — the result of spending nearly 100 percent of his time in the training room over the holidays.

The Gators’ speedy playmaker stayed in Gainesville, Fla., every day but Christmas and New Year’s Day during the Gators’ winter break. He estimated he was in the training room 15 hours each day with trainer Kyle Johnston — which would put him in there from about the time he wakes up until he goes to bed.

“Our team made jokes about it. They said me and one of the trainers, we’re dating each other because of the time we spent with each other,” Harvin said Monday.

All that work, though, got Harvin to the point that he’s feeling about 90 percent, and that’s plenty good enough for him to play against No. 2 Oklahoma (2-1) on Thursday night in the BCS national championship game. Harvin said he was able to make cuts in practice and that No. 1 Florida even implemented some top-secret special plays for him in practice Sunday aimed at exploiting matchups.

“The problem I have now is slowing down, so I just won’t slow down. I’ll just keep running,” Harvin said. “Cutting is not the problem. Just slowing down sometimes, it kind of locks up a little bit.”

Harvin missed the SEC championship game after severely spraining his right ankle against Florida State on Nov. 29, and said it felt like a funeral to him because he wasn’t able to play — even though the Gators (12-1) won.

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Harvin ranked second on the team with 1,133 all-purpose yards, with more than 500 yards rushing and receiving, and a team-high seven touchdown catches.

“He’s a playmaker. He’s one of those guys that can take over a game,” Oklahoma linebacker Travis Lewis said. “With his speed, with his quickness and he plays multiple positions at wide receiver and running back, he can hurt you in so many ways. They’re going to be a much better team with him.”

Harvin said about his only question remaining is how he’ll fare against contact, since he hasn’t been hit in practice. He figures the adrenaline of the championship game should make him feel like he’s 100 percent.

“He’s done above and beyond what we’ve asked,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “I can only go by what he tells me and what our trainers tell me, and he’ll be ready to play in this game.”

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