BCS TITLE PREVIEW-LONGHORNS & THE CRIMSON TIDE
Without a legitimate playoff system in college football, we're left with this game tonight. Whoever wins this game will be 14-0, the same record as Boise State, their only solace is going to be 2nd place in all the polls. I do have some thoughts on this game, flawed as it is.
Alabama is more balanced offensively, QB Greg McElroy, WR Julio Jones & TE Colin Peek. They're loaded at tailback with the Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram & true freshman Trent Richardson. They like to run first, opening the opportunity for play-action passes. They have a fine offensive line that gives Ingram the creases he needs to get downfield while keeping pass rushers off McElroy. If you haven't seen Ingram, he looks like Emmitt Smith somewhat in size, speed & running style. Their placekicker, Leigh Tiffin is one of the very best in the country.
Any chance Texas has to win this game sits squarely on the shoulders of Longhorn QB Colt McCoy. The 2-time Heisman finalist holds the NCAA record for most victories for a quarterback with 49 wins. McCoy is a great leader who is as comfortable in the pocket as he is running the ball. He was their leading rusher in 2008, when he ran for 561 yards. This season he stayed in the pocket more, only rushing for 348 yards, over half of the season total coming in the Thanksgiving night game vs. A&M. The Longhorns ground game is running back by committee. Tre Newton, Vondrell McGee & Cody Johnson all have gotten significant playing time, but none really stand out like the two-headed monster 'Bama has. Jordon Shipley caught 106 passes this season & scored 11 touchdowns, there's a dropoff from there. Malcolm Williams, James Kirkendoll & Dan Buckner combined for 130 catches & 12 touchdowns. They have a solid O-line, but they had no answer for Ndamakong Suh in the Big-12 title game. Since everything depends on McCoy, he will have to play a near-perfect game for the 'Horns to win this game. Hunter Lawrence is a clutch, high percentage kicker. He kicked the winning 45-yarder with no time left to defeat Nebraska in the Big-12 title game.
Both teams feature several NFL caliber players. Alabama's nose tackle Shaun Cody is nicknamed 'Mt. Cody' & it's a perfect moniker for a 6'4" 370-pound mountain of a man. He isn't much of an upfield pass rusher, but he gets penetration in the run game & requires a double team every play. Cody also blocked a couple of field goals this season. The entire D-line is experienced seniors & they keep blockers off the linebackers. Rolando McLain is a big, strong tackling machine, but he has suffered with a stomach virus this week & hasn't practiced. He hasn't been cleared by the medical stance to play tonight, but it would be shocking if he couldn't go. McLain isn't quick or fast, but excels because of his preparation & instincts. CB Javier Arenas is short in stature at 5'9" but he plays much bigger. He's a smart, experienced defender who rarely is out of position. He is also a deadly punt returner with 3 TD's in his career.
Texas also has their share of exceptional defenders. It all starts with DE Sergio Kindle. The former LB, is a pas rushing demon. He has sideline to sideline speed. NT Lamarr Houston gets a lot of penetration & blows up plays before they can get going. The entire D-line is undersized but they are extremely quick & tough to block cleanly, causing a bunch of holding calls. The linebackers are very fast too. Roddrick Muckleroy covers a lot of ground & is a solid tackler. Safety Earl Thomas is a playmaker, he tied for the lead in interceptions nationally with nine. He's also a superior run supporting safety. Expect this 3rd year sophomore to go pro after the game. This is a very good tackling team which will be vital to stop Ingram. D-coordinator Will Muschamp is a superior game planner & these kids play lights out for him.
I think Alabama will run the ball to set up the play action passing game. They will swarm the intermediate pass routes forcing McCoy to beat them deep. I don't see the 'Horns rushing for 100 yards unless someone breaks a 50-yarder. I think 'Bama will try to maintain possession, keep McCoy off the field & grind out the win. The Longhorns led the country with 11 non-offensive touchdowns. This is where their only chance lies. They need the defense & special teams to provide two scores or 2 very short fields to help the offense stay in contention tonight.
The wildcard in this game is the last times these two played a game was December 5th in their respective conference championship games. That's 32 days since they played & every season one team looks like they've lost their timing or their focus in these long layoffs. Alabama came into last year's Sugar Bowl off a 27-day layoff & got smoked by Utah. I doubt Nick Saban will let that happen again. Both coaches have a national title. No coach has ever won a national title, changed schools & won again. Alabama has never defeated Texas. I don't care for Saban, I don't respect the way he's left other programs, his word isn't worth much in my opinion. He is an excellent coach & recruiter. I've always liked Texas head coach, Mack Brown. He runs a superior program that has always been squeaky clean. Alabama is favored by 4 points in this game. I lean toward 'Bama but I can't get past the 11 touchdowns the Longhorns scored on interceptions, blocked kicks, punt returns etc. Alabama's horrific performance in the Sugar Bowl is very fresh on my mind as well, so I'm not going to make a play in this game. But we'll be watching, "Hook 'em Horns!!"
Alabama is more balanced offensively, QB Greg McElroy, WR Julio Jones & TE Colin Peek. They're loaded at tailback with the Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram & true freshman Trent Richardson. They like to run first, opening the opportunity for play-action passes. They have a fine offensive line that gives Ingram the creases he needs to get downfield while keeping pass rushers off McElroy. If you haven't seen Ingram, he looks like Emmitt Smith somewhat in size, speed & running style. Their placekicker, Leigh Tiffin is one of the very best in the country.
Any chance Texas has to win this game sits squarely on the shoulders of Longhorn QB Colt McCoy. The 2-time Heisman finalist holds the NCAA record for most victories for a quarterback with 49 wins. McCoy is a great leader who is as comfortable in the pocket as he is running the ball. He was their leading rusher in 2008, when he ran for 561 yards. This season he stayed in the pocket more, only rushing for 348 yards, over half of the season total coming in the Thanksgiving night game vs. A&M. The Longhorns ground game is running back by committee. Tre Newton, Vondrell McGee & Cody Johnson all have gotten significant playing time, but none really stand out like the two-headed monster 'Bama has. Jordon Shipley caught 106 passes this season & scored 11 touchdowns, there's a dropoff from there. Malcolm Williams, James Kirkendoll & Dan Buckner combined for 130 catches & 12 touchdowns. They have a solid O-line, but they had no answer for Ndamakong Suh in the Big-12 title game. Since everything depends on McCoy, he will have to play a near-perfect game for the 'Horns to win this game. Hunter Lawrence is a clutch, high percentage kicker. He kicked the winning 45-yarder with no time left to defeat Nebraska in the Big-12 title game.
Both teams feature several NFL caliber players. Alabama's nose tackle Shaun Cody is nicknamed 'Mt. Cody' & it's a perfect moniker for a 6'4" 370-pound mountain of a man. He isn't much of an upfield pass rusher, but he gets penetration in the run game & requires a double team every play. Cody also blocked a couple of field goals this season. The entire D-line is experienced seniors & they keep blockers off the linebackers. Rolando McLain is a big, strong tackling machine, but he has suffered with a stomach virus this week & hasn't practiced. He hasn't been cleared by the medical stance to play tonight, but it would be shocking if he couldn't go. McLain isn't quick or fast, but excels because of his preparation & instincts. CB Javier Arenas is short in stature at 5'9" but he plays much bigger. He's a smart, experienced defender who rarely is out of position. He is also a deadly punt returner with 3 TD's in his career.
Texas also has their share of exceptional defenders. It all starts with DE Sergio Kindle. The former LB, is a pas rushing demon. He has sideline to sideline speed. NT Lamarr Houston gets a lot of penetration & blows up plays before they can get going. The entire D-line is undersized but they are extremely quick & tough to block cleanly, causing a bunch of holding calls. The linebackers are very fast too. Roddrick Muckleroy covers a lot of ground & is a solid tackler. Safety Earl Thomas is a playmaker, he tied for the lead in interceptions nationally with nine. He's also a superior run supporting safety. Expect this 3rd year sophomore to go pro after the game. This is a very good tackling team which will be vital to stop Ingram. D-coordinator Will Muschamp is a superior game planner & these kids play lights out for him.
I think Alabama will run the ball to set up the play action passing game. They will swarm the intermediate pass routes forcing McCoy to beat them deep. I don't see the 'Horns rushing for 100 yards unless someone breaks a 50-yarder. I think 'Bama will try to maintain possession, keep McCoy off the field & grind out the win. The Longhorns led the country with 11 non-offensive touchdowns. This is where their only chance lies. They need the defense & special teams to provide two scores or 2 very short fields to help the offense stay in contention tonight.
The wildcard in this game is the last times these two played a game was December 5th in their respective conference championship games. That's 32 days since they played & every season one team looks like they've lost their timing or their focus in these long layoffs. Alabama came into last year's Sugar Bowl off a 27-day layoff & got smoked by Utah. I doubt Nick Saban will let that happen again. Both coaches have a national title. No coach has ever won a national title, changed schools & won again. Alabama has never defeated Texas. I don't care for Saban, I don't respect the way he's left other programs, his word isn't worth much in my opinion. He is an excellent coach & recruiter. I've always liked Texas head coach, Mack Brown. He runs a superior program that has always been squeaky clean. Alabama is favored by 4 points in this game. I lean toward 'Bama but I can't get past the 11 touchdowns the Longhorns scored on interceptions, blocked kicks, punt returns etc. Alabama's horrific performance in the Sugar Bowl is very fresh on my mind as well, so I'm not going to make a play in this game. But we'll be watching, "Hook 'em Horns!!"
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