Most people think the BCS got this season’s two best teams into the National Championship Game. Of course, the computers solidly disagreed with this sentiment, and it doesn’t really hold up to scrutiny of comparative non-conference schedules.
But more than anything, we’ve already seen the game. The pundits told me it was the Game of the Century, so it couldn’t happen again, could it?
Alabama had their shot. On their own field. And they couldn’t get it done.
There’s no …
Going into the BCS championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns, if you had told me that with four minutes left in the game, we would be down by three points and have the ball, I would have said I liked our chances. If you had told me that we would get there with our true freshman quarterback, I would have told you that you were nuts.
After a very ugly first half, most of America thought the Longhorns would be blown off the field in the second half. I'll admit that I was worried it was going to get ugly.
Instead, the Longhorns dug deep and were playing for the win late in the game. And while the final score differential as seventeen (thanks for showing your ass, Coach Saban), Texas proved their strength of heart and depth of talent on that field.
BCS National Championship Game
Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
January 7, 2010, 7pm Central
Pasadena, California
Network: ABC/ESPN Radio
I'm the first to admit that I'm biased when it comes to the Texas Longhorns. But after countless hours spent reading online articles, blogs, and forms, watching sports broadcasts, and listening to podcasts, I'm having a hard time predicting tonight's outcome.
Part of that is because both teams have been inconsistent this year. Everyone talks about Texas' close game with Nebraska because it was the most recent game. The Texas offense was essentially shut down in that game and against Oklahoma. And the Texas defense was totally absent for the Texas A&M game.
Don't forget that if Tennessee had a halfway decent field goal kicker, Alabama wouldn't be in the championship game. And that they barely slipped by a four loss Auburn team. But when Alabama struggles, people say that is just what happens in the SEC.
For the second year, Texas Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy has been named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Other finalists include:
- Tim Tebow, QB, Florida Gators
- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
- Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford Cardinal
- Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska Cornhuskers
Even after McCoy's less than Heisman-worthy performance Saturday night, I like his odds of winning. Many of the votes were probably cast prior to the Big 12 Championship against Nebraska, when his stellar game against Texas A&M was still front of mind.
I'll certainly have more thoughts (and predictions) on the games later, but here's what comes to mind right off.
Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. Oregon
January 1st, Pasadena, California
No surprise here. If the Rose Bowl has the option of taking the Pac 10 and Big 10 conference winners, they almost always will do so.
My Christmas wish of a playoff in Division 1A football did not come true this year, and the new year approaches, so it's time to start thinking about the BCS games starting next week. [...]
Checking the new BCS Rankings this evening was a pleasant surprise. Texas is fourth.
Here are the current standings:
1. Alabama
2. Texas Tech
3. Penn State
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. Oklahoma
7. USC
8. Utah
9. Oklahoma State
10. Boise State
There are several unexpected things in this:
- I wasn’t expecting Texas Tech to jump Penn State.
- I thought OU and Florida would probably jump us.
- I didn’t think Florida would jump Oklahoma.
I actually don’t disagree with …
