2010 BCS National Championship
By Shane from Centerpoint
Warning! You are about to be bombarded from all sides with an enormous amount of (mostly useless) information. Soon every talking–head that can get his mouth in front of a microphone, hand on a pen, or face in front of a TV camera will spew his opinion on the upcoming national championship game between Alabama and Texas.
Caution! The major sports media outlets will attempt to build this game into a dramatic made–for–TV moment by creating the perception that the Longhorns are an “underdogâ€. Professional pundits will attempt to leave you with the impression that the Crimson Tide is too powerful, all business and a much better team.
However, the experts will also portrait Texas as a giant–killer. Their story will feature All-American quarterback Colt McCoy as the chosen-one. By kick-off they’ll have you pulling for him, too.
Wait a minute! Forget the mainstream media’s take on college football’s final conflict. Their only motivation in promoting both teams is the need to sell the “close–game†theory to attract viewers, listeners, and readers. Remember, commercial/ad sales have seen some hard times lately.
Actually, I’m not here to crash the party or break the code, but I am honest enough to state that I don’t think the results on the gridiron will match the script written in the build–up. The supposed drama of a closely fought contest will be non-existent because I honestly believe Alabama will dominate this game.
No! I wouldn’t make that comment without backing it up. I’ve got some very good reasons for thinking that Alabama will win big. Here are eleven of them:
#1 I hate to re-hash “Football 101â€, but games are truly won and lost along the lines of scrimmage. Put it this way, if Texas thought Nebraska’s Suh was hard to keep off of Colt McCoy, wait until three of the same caliber athletes come after him play after play. Realistically, Alabama has about ten defensive linemen that are faster than anything the Texas offensive linemen have seen all year.
#2 Texas has a great run–defense. So did the Florida Gators prior to getting shredded by the Alabama offensive line. Longhorn DC Will Muschamp will be forced to play eight-in-the-box in order to slow down Ingram and Richardson. Still, those Tide pulling-guards are deadly! Florida couldn’t handle them and I don’t think the Longhorns will either.
#3 Rolando McClain is a dominating force. He can disrupt a great offense with his ability to orchestrate shifts and alignments. Ro is also impossible to block. He can literally take over a game.
#4 Greg McElroy is ready for prime time. Unlike McCoy, who almost choked away his shot at glory, G-Mac has proven that he is the leader of this team. Saban can now depend on Greg to deliver and when Nick has a solid quarterback he rarely loses.
#5 Julio Jones may not have huge receiving numbers this year, but his value to the offense’s success has been tremendous. He makes big catches when needed and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Yet, his greatest contribution comes in downfield blocks, as he is one of the best I’ve ever watched perform the art.
#6 Tight–end Colin Peek is a lethal weapon inside the stripes. He is a prototype NFL player that can draw coverage away from other receivers, while always getting open. Texas doesn’t have a linebacker on the roster that can cover Peek one-on-one. His run–blocking will impact the game as well. He’ll use his 6’6†255-pound frame to destroy linebackers so the running-backs can blow through the lanes.
#7 Everybody knows that the Crimson Tide defensive backfield is coached by Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban. Those who’ve watched them operate understand that Saban has two lock-down corners on the field. That frees up his big safeties to protect the area between the hashes – against run and pass. The DB’s seem to improve with every game.
#8 Last year when Oklahoma faced Florida the difference in overall team–speed was overwhelming. The Sooners couldn’t run with the Gators. Simply put, Big 12 team–speed is no match for SEC team–speed. Alabama also has very large players that are really fast. Texas must adjust to this quickly or disaster could strike early.
#9 Quality depth always plays an important role in a team’s success during a championship run. The Crimson Tide is loaded and healthy at every position. Many of the second–unit players can make up with talent what they lack in experience. The bad news for the Longhorns is that most of them could start for any Big 12 team.
#10 Alabama has faced much tougher opponents than Texas has throughout the season. They’ve been battle–tested time and time again. The Longhorns had an easy schedule, with only a couple of real tests. One thing for certain – the Crimson Tide is going to smack Texas in the mouth over and over again. That’s what they do. Can Mack Brown’s guys stand in and fight for four quarters? I doubt it.
#11 Finally, Coach Saban and his staff have had too much time to prepare for one game in this case. I know Brown will work hard to be ready for the contest but he won’t outwork Nick Saban. Nobody does! Saban will have the Alabama players ready mentality and physically to be relentless. He’ll have his team playing at a level where it doesn’t matter who the opponent may be.
When it’s all said and done, things aren’t looking so good for the Texas Longhorns.
—Shane writes a weekly column for the Call News and the Capstone Report.
YO! Here’s a hearty MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE & ALL, even “LT” and I for one STILL AIN’T LISTENING to ya, dude! As for THE GAME, it should be one for the AGES. I tend to believe the ‘Bama D will be the deciding factor. The prediction here is Alabama 29, Texas 17. ROLL TIDE ROLL and to all a good night! Later.
this is our first christmas without
zionhippy since 1970 while he was fighting a war in vietnam. i just ask you keep his family in your prayers.
11 REASONS BAMA WONT BEAT TEXAS. BAMA
HAS NEVER BEAT TEXAS AND WONT THIS TIME.TEXAS WON THEIR LAST NC IN THE ROSE BOWL.MCCOY WILL THROW FOR 500 YARDS AGAINST BAMA.BAMA HAS NOT SEEN A DEFENSE AS GOOD AS TEXAS.TEXAS 35 BAMA 14
Wow. I am a huge UA fan, but that was about as much Crimson Coolaide as I have ever heard. You must be drowning dude. I think Bama will win; certainly hope so. But your article completely lacked objectivity. You didn’t say one thing about the talent that Texas has and all the things they can do that will cause Bama problems. Some truly deranged comments, like the ten bama DLs faster than any other that UT has seen (Suh may be the #1 draft pick…he’s large, strong and quick). Bama has 2nd teamers that would start at most Big 12 teams????. Texas has a DL that would beat out any Tide DL at their position. Texas has a better D-line and D-backfield than Bama has faced all year. A better QB than we have faced all year. A better WR in Shipley than any we have faced all year. They have years of top 5 recruiting classes. We have 2. They will meet, if not exceed our talent. Try doing a little research and a lot of objectivity. Roll Tide!
Well..I usually don’t agree with much that Shane says. But I think he’s nailed this one. I think the team speed and athleticism is going to be the un-doing of Texas. ‘Bama 35, Texas 17. War Eagle and Roll Tide!