So here we are. Just Alabama, Texas and the crystal football.
It's been quite a stretch between the Tide's last title shot in 1992 and the present day. Seventeen years, six coaches, four losing seasons and three NCAA probations. From Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., to the Rose Bowl - the freakin' "Granddaddy of Them All" - in Pasadena. In just two years, no less. It's more than improbable. It's better than remarkable. It's a damn miracle.
How did Alabama get here? You know how. Mal Moore hired Nick Saban, the best college football coach money could buy. Saban established a regime built on strong discipline and mental toughness, which resulted in near-immediate success. A relentless recruiter, he locked up the state's top talent (players like Mark Barron and Julio Jones), combed the JUCO ranks for hidden gems (James Carpenter and Terrence Cody) and worked his connections from previous gigs to woo coveted out-of-state blue chippers (Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson). Excellent coaching, plus talent, plus tradition, plus luck, equals quick success.
How did Texas get here? Well they actually should have been here last year, but the inept vacuum within which major college football operates sucked the rug out from under them. Oklahoma played for the title in 2008, despite finishing the regular season with the same record as Texas and losing a head-to-head matchup against the Longhorns earlier in the year. That snub, not to mention the sturdy right arm of senior QB Colt McCoy, propelled Mack Brown's boys to a perfect regular season and a Big 12 championship this year.
And, so, here we are.
For the Longhorns, this is familiar territory. Once again the underdog in Pasadena, they've got another chance to fool the experts and turn conventional wisdom on its head. For Alabama, a shot at national title No. 13. Let's break it down:
ALABAMA OFFENSE VS. TEXAS DEFENSE
Let's take a moment and recognize one key difference in style between the SEC and Big 12. They don't run the ball in the Midwest the way we do here in the South.
The Big 12's top rushing team (Oklahoma State) averaged just over 191 yards per game on the ground. There are five SEC teams that can beat that average, not the least of which is Alabama (216 rushing ypg). Why is that important to know? Well, if I told you that Texas has the nation's top-ranked rushing defense (which they do), you should know that they haven't played a whole lot of run-oriented teams this season. In fact, of the Longhorns' 13 opponents in 2009, nine of them have rushing offenses ranked in the bottom half of the FBS. Of those nine, four are ranked 100 or worse out of 120 teams. Alabama not only boasts the 12th-best rushing offense in the country, but also the reigning Heisman trophy winner in RB Mark Ingram. In short, while Texas is statistically the best rush defense in the nation, Bama represents their biggest challenge to date.
Of course, rankings and statistics do little to counter the dreaded "Heisman jinx," which ranks just above Sports Illustrated cover and just below Madden video game cover on the list of legitimate sports hexes. If you're not familiar with this particular phenomenon, it seems that Heisman trophy winners who go on to compete in the national championship game don't play so well and their teams often suffer the consequences. Sam Bradford, Troy Smith, Reggie Bush, Jason White, and so forth. Believe me, it's a long list. Will that be the case for Mark Ingram and the Tide? Who knows? It helps that if Ingram struggles (say, like he did a few weeks ago against Auburn), the Tide has a capable duo of backups at their disposal in Trent Richardson and Roy Upchurch.
What Alabama has to do in this game to ensure success is maintain the balance they've achieved over the final weeks of the regular season and the SEC Championship game. In order to do that, offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and QB Greg McElroy will have to continue their recent aggressive approach to expanding the passing game. Texas' air defense is not their strong suit (No. 23rd in the nation, 190 yards per game allowed), so there should be opportunities for the Tide to stretch the field and open things up for Ingram and Co. on the ground.
It's been quite a stretch between the Tide's last title shot in 1992 and the present day. Seventeen years, six coaches, four losing seasons and three NCAA probations. From Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., to the Rose Bowl - the freakin' "Granddaddy of Them All" - in Pasadena. In just two years, no less. It's more than improbable. It's better than remarkable. It's a damn miracle.
How did Alabama get here? You know how. Mal Moore hired Nick Saban, the best college football coach money could buy. Saban established a regime built on strong discipline and mental toughness, which resulted in near-immediate success. A relentless recruiter, he locked up the state's top talent (players like Mark Barron and Julio Jones), combed the JUCO ranks for hidden gems (James Carpenter and Terrence Cody) and worked his connections from previous gigs to woo coveted out-of-state blue chippers (Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson). Excellent coaching, plus talent, plus tradition, plus luck, equals quick success.
How did Texas get here? Well they actually should have been here last year, but the inept vacuum within which major college football operates sucked the rug out from under them. Oklahoma played for the title in 2008, despite finishing the regular season with the same record as Texas and losing a head-to-head matchup against the Longhorns earlier in the year. That snub, not to mention the sturdy right arm of senior QB Colt McCoy, propelled Mack Brown's boys to a perfect regular season and a Big 12 championship this year.
And, so, here we are.
For the Longhorns, this is familiar territory. Once again the underdog in Pasadena, they've got another chance to fool the experts and turn conventional wisdom on its head. For Alabama, a shot at national title No. 13. Let's break it down:
ALABAMA OFFENSE VS. TEXAS DEFENSE
Let's take a moment and recognize one key difference in style between the SEC and Big 12. They don't run the ball in the Midwest the way we do here in the South.
The Big 12's top rushing team (Oklahoma State) averaged just over 191 yards per game on the ground. There are five SEC teams that can beat that average, not the least of which is Alabama (216 rushing ypg). Why is that important to know? Well, if I told you that Texas has the nation's top-ranked rushing defense (which they do), you should know that they haven't played a whole lot of run-oriented teams this season. In fact, of the Longhorns' 13 opponents in 2009, nine of them have rushing offenses ranked in the bottom half of the FBS. Of those nine, four are ranked 100 or worse out of 120 teams. Alabama not only boasts the 12th-best rushing offense in the country, but also the reigning Heisman trophy winner in RB Mark Ingram. In short, while Texas is statistically the best rush defense in the nation, Bama represents their biggest challenge to date.
Of course, rankings and statistics do little to counter the dreaded "Heisman jinx," which ranks just above Sports Illustrated cover and just below Madden video game cover on the list of legitimate sports hexes. If you're not familiar with this particular phenomenon, it seems that Heisman trophy winners who go on to compete in the national championship game don't play so well and their teams often suffer the consequences. Sam Bradford, Troy Smith, Reggie Bush, Jason White, and so forth. Believe me, it's a long list. Will that be the case for Mark Ingram and the Tide? Who knows? It helps that if Ingram struggles (say, like he did a few weeks ago against Auburn), the Tide has a capable duo of backups at their disposal in Trent Richardson and Roy Upchurch.
What Alabama has to do in this game to ensure success is maintain the balance they've achieved over the final weeks of the regular season and the SEC Championship game. In order to do that, offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and QB Greg McElroy will have to continue their recent aggressive approach to expanding the passing game. Texas' air defense is not their strong suit (No. 23rd in the nation, 190 yards per game allowed), so there should be opportunities for the Tide to stretch the field and open things up for Ingram and Co. on the ground.
RANKINGS: ALABAMA OFFENSE VS. TEXAS DEFENSE
- RUSHING: Alabama (No. 12), Texas (No. 1)
- PASSING: Alabama (No. 84), Texas (No. 23)
- TOTAL: Alabama (No. 34), Texas (No. 3)
- SCORING: Alabama (No. 26), Texas (No. 8)
- 3RD DOWN: Alabama (No. 57), Texas (No. 2)
- RED ZONE: Alabama (No. 36), Texas (No. 49)
TEXAS OFFENSE VS. ALABAMA DEFENSE
Statistically speaking, Alabama has faced two offenses better than Texas this season - Florida and Arkansas. While both of those SEC teams run a spread attack similar to what the Tide will see on Jan. 7, neither team boasts a quarterback quite like Colt McCoy or a receiver like Jordan Shipley. Ultimately, whether or not Alabama is successful in bringing home another Coaches Trophy depends on how well they defend Shipley, who has nearly three times as many receiving yards (1,363) and nearly double the touchdowns (11) as the any other wideout on the Horns' roster. McCoy is the rarest type of dual threat quarterback, a precise passer who can run. He's the AB negative of modern quarterbacking, if you will. He's got better wheels than Arkansas' Ryan Mallett, but a lesser arm. He's got a better arm than Florida's Tim Tebow, but lesser wheels. In short, Alabama has proven they can defend against what Colt McCoy can do, but not at all at once.
For Alabama, one important take away from the recent Big 12 championship game is this: Colt McCoy doesn't respond well when he's pressured in the pocket. And, while Terrence Cody isn't quite Ndamukong Suh in the middle, he's close enough to produce a similar effect. By far, Alabama's strongest suit is their defense, led by Cody, LB Rolando McClain and DBs Javier Arenas and Mark Barron. Nick Saban is a master at scheming to create confusion, and there's no reason to believe that he won't do the same against the Longhorns. Texas is arguably the most-complete offensive team that Alabama will have faced this season, but in the same vein, Alabama is by far the strongest defensive team Texas has faced this season as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
If there was one postseason awards shocker in 2009, it was Leigh Tiffin not winning the Lou Groza award. What else did the kid have to do? He hit on 29 of his 33 field goal attempts and 38 of 41 extra point tries. He and Terrence Cody were solely responsible for beating Tennessee and preserving the Tide's perfect season and championship run! Again, what else did the kid have to do? Are politics afoot on the Groza committee? Say it ain't so Lou!
Regardless, both Tiffin and Texas' Hunter Lawrence are strong-legged, accurate, senior kickers. Arenas and Shipley are two of the most dynamic punt returners in the country. Texas' D.J. Monroe is the nation's second-ranked kickoff return man.
PREDICTION
It seems odd that, in this age of unprecedented parity in college football, the two best teams in the nation are presenting two wholly unique challenges to each other in this game. Alabama has yet to face a dual-threat quarterback quite like Colt McCoy; Texas has yet to face a running back threat the likes of which they'll see against the Tide. If you take statistics out of the equation and just gauge each team's momentum coming into this matchup, you have to give Alabama the nod. They appear to be peaking at just the right moment, coming off their biggest win of the season against their best opponent to date. Texas coasted through a weak late-season schedule and came one-second shy of blowing the Big 12 title against an inferior foe. The long layoff between games, the enormous stage of college football's championship game, the Rose Bowl - those are all great equalizers. But, really, 17 years? Don't you think Alabama is due? Alabama 24, Texas 17
Statistically speaking, Alabama has faced two offenses better than Texas this season - Florida and Arkansas. While both of those SEC teams run a spread attack similar to what the Tide will see on Jan. 7, neither team boasts a quarterback quite like Colt McCoy or a receiver like Jordan Shipley. Ultimately, whether or not Alabama is successful in bringing home another Coaches Trophy depends on how well they defend Shipley, who has nearly three times as many receiving yards (1,363) and nearly double the touchdowns (11) as the any other wideout on the Horns' roster. McCoy is the rarest type of dual threat quarterback, a precise passer who can run. He's the AB negative of modern quarterbacking, if you will. He's got better wheels than Arkansas' Ryan Mallett, but a lesser arm. He's got a better arm than Florida's Tim Tebow, but lesser wheels. In short, Alabama has proven they can defend against what Colt McCoy can do, but not at all at once.
For Alabama, one important take away from the recent Big 12 championship game is this: Colt McCoy doesn't respond well when he's pressured in the pocket. And, while Terrence Cody isn't quite Ndamukong Suh in the middle, he's close enough to produce a similar effect. By far, Alabama's strongest suit is their defense, led by Cody, LB Rolando McClain and DBs Javier Arenas and Mark Barron. Nick Saban is a master at scheming to create confusion, and there's no reason to believe that he won't do the same against the Longhorns. Texas is arguably the most-complete offensive team that Alabama will have faced this season, but in the same vein, Alabama is by far the strongest defensive team Texas has faced this season as well.
RANKINGS: TEXAS OFFENSE VS. ALABAMA DEFENSE
- RUSHING: Texas (No. 55), Alabama (No. 2)
- PASSING: Texas (No. 15), Alabama (No. 7)
- TOTAL: Texas (No. 18), Alabama (No. 2)
- SCORING: Texas (No. 3), Alabama (No. 1)
- 3RD DOWN: Texas (No. 16), Alabama (No. 4)
- RED ZONE : Texas (No. 9), Alabama (No. 2)
SPECIAL TEAMS
If there was one postseason awards shocker in 2009, it was Leigh Tiffin not winning the Lou Groza award. What else did the kid have to do? He hit on 29 of his 33 field goal attempts and 38 of 41 extra point tries. He and Terrence Cody were solely responsible for beating Tennessee and preserving the Tide's perfect season and championship run! Again, what else did the kid have to do? Are politics afoot on the Groza committee? Say it ain't so Lou!
Regardless, both Tiffin and Texas' Hunter Lawrence are strong-legged, accurate, senior kickers. Arenas and Shipley are two of the most dynamic punt returners in the country. Texas' D.J. Monroe is the nation's second-ranked kickoff return man.
RANKINGS: SPECIAL TEAMS
- FIELD GOALS: Alabama (No. 16), Texas (No. 12)
- PUNTING: Alabama (No. 31), Texas (No. 84)
- KICK RETURNS: Alabama (No. 11), Texas (No. 4)
- PUNT RETURNS: Alabama (No. 5), Texas (No. 15)
PREDICTION
It seems odd that, in this age of unprecedented parity in college football, the two best teams in the nation are presenting two wholly unique challenges to each other in this game. Alabama has yet to face a dual-threat quarterback quite like Colt McCoy; Texas has yet to face a running back threat the likes of which they'll see against the Tide. If you take statistics out of the equation and just gauge each team's momentum coming into this matchup, you have to give Alabama the nod. They appear to be peaking at just the right moment, coming off their biggest win of the season against their best opponent to date. Texas coasted through a weak late-season schedule and came one-second shy of blowing the Big 12 title against an inferior foe. The long layoff between games, the enormous stage of college football's championship game, the Rose Bowl - those are all great equalizers. But, really, 17 years? Don't you think Alabama is due? Alabama 24, Texas 17
tulle dress wedding ceremony clothing and evening gowns discount plus size wedding dresses Beach Wedding Dress cocktail dresses australia off white beach wedding dress wedding dresses for a beach wedding yellow bridesmaid dresses numerous individuals consider warm. In fact wedding veils and tiaras the complete wedding ceremony regarded as one of the most element getting chilly and stand in the front in the motel and that may be the time to greet the guests formal short dresses plus size mother of the bride gowns bridesmaid dresses sydney as lengthy when you disclose outside a fluffy small jacket on it Lucky 13 Previewing Alabama Texas
a blue silk/lace dress her hair swooped to the side discount maternity wedding dress short chiffon dress she would have fit right in with the models walking the runway. Although Fashion Week isn't over yet we're going out on a limb and saying this line is our favorite. A close second is Monique Lhuillier
indian bride dress formal short dresses who showcased a seductive line full of animal prints and tons of lace. Basically cheap maternity wedding dresses bridesmaid dresses with sleeves pink bridesmaids dresses informal wedding dresses wedding party dresses petite evening dresses it was Lucky 13 Previewing Alabama Texas
-compare van insurance
When you are like me, you appreciate downloading home media player and motion pictures from the web, but dislike observing them in your modest hd media player or computer display. It truly is just so inconvenient. Your laptop computer display is also modest for genuinely savoring hd media players. Would not it be excellent to view movies straight off with the web in your significant flat display hard media player, with out hassles? Effectively, it might possibly be time you found HD media players - the newest in tv media player clip and new music playback comfort.
What's an network media player, you inquire? It can be a hd tv media player that brings together a hard drive with hardware with software program for actively playing video clip, audio, and pictures by way of a home amusement program. Indeed, you possibly can lastly view downloaded hdd player and films in your huge HDTV display. You are able to also pay attention to hdmi player and present high-resolution slide-shows of one's loved ones pictures in your Television. Some permit you to mix it having a wireless media player exactly where you'll be able to file Television exhibits similar to a 1080p media player. Even far better, most function with well-liked 1080p hd player, digital cameras, camcorders, and most storage gadgets. You're able to perform all computer-based files without having the will need to get a network player.
These days you can find plenty of top quality 1080p hd media player to select from. However the entire method is often a little puzzling. Selecting the correct 1 depends upon your wants, and obviously your spending budget. For me, I choose a hdd media player that's effective at a complete array of enjoyment., such as multimedia features. In case you mix that using an uncomplicated to utilize navigation interface, ipad mount is often an excellent reward for that complete loved ones.
Considering getting a high definition media player? See my checklist with the finest hd media center at http://www.hd-hdd.com/