J. Newcastle
Alabama 27, Texas 14
I expect this thing to start wide-open and turn into a slug fest as the game progresses. Texas's offense isn't as bad as they looked against Nebraska; it's a bit short-sighted to think of Colt McCoy in the microcosm of that one game the same as it would be to judge Alabama's Mark Ingram for his performance against Auburn or Tennessee. Alabama's offense is going to surprise some people because they are going to match Texas big play for big play and score for score early in this contest. I won't be surprised to see the Crimson Tide with a slight lead at half. The third quarter is where it's going to turn. There's only so much Texas's offense will be able to do against the vaunted Alabama defense and a couple of negative plays (sacks, interceptions, fumbles) are going to swing the momentum to the Crimson Tide. Then, Alabama is going to do what no other team tried or successfully did against Texas - they are going to line up and road grate them with the tandem running of Ingram and Trent Richardson (Look for a screen pass from the shotgun to one of these guys that results in major yardage). McCoy's good but he's not Vince Young and this isn't going to be a repeat of the 2005 BCS CG. Alabama's been the most consistent top team all year and this will be the crowning moment of an incredible run.
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Article comments
1 - 11
I could not possibly disagree with Eddie McCoy more. This game does not come down to Alabama's O v. Texas' D; it will come down to the opposite.
You admitted that Texas doesn't make adjustments on offense. How in the world is a team that lacks playmakers and relies on its QB to make all its plays going to move the ball on a Nick Saban defense?
Texas' offense is a less talented version of Florida. If you watched that game, you know that didn't go too well for the Gators.
No one has explained to me yet how Texas is going to score. They could play this game twice and the Longhorns wouldn't get to 31.
Alabama 27, Texas 7
2 - Josh Hathaway
Why on earth does you think Alabama is going to go out and forget how to play defense? Look, if you want to pick Texas, that's fine. You want to say 17-13 or 21-17 even, we can talk. You are wrong, but we can talk. You just told me that Steve Bartkowski is the greatest QB of all time. Go sit at the kids table. Here's your AU sippie cup.
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
Still can't believe the most they've given up this year was 24.
4 - Daneric Johnson
People People!! I can almost Guarantee you that this will be a Coming OUT Party for Tre' Newton! No playmakers, I guess Shipley and his Beastly Co-Receivers aren't 1st Round Enough For ya....
Texas 24 Alabama 21
5 - 11
No playmakers. I am standing by it. Texas can't and won't move the ball. They are going to need turnovers against a team that doesn't turn the ball over and big plays in the special teams.
McCoy can't get to the outside against Alabama's secondary. That Texas o-line is going to get blown up the way Nebraska blew it up, and McCoy is going to be throwing every down. That's a bad idea, too.
But don't take my word for it: Tune in Thursday at 7:30, 8:30 Central. Get yer popcorn. Set the DVR. Call a friend.
6 - Josh Hathaway
Shipley has 100 receptions and that's nice, but we've seen him shut down and taken away. Co-Beastley? I'm sorry but James Kirkendoll isn't putting fear in the hearts of anyone and neither Dan Buckner. Ship is a borderline first-round talent. He can have his seven catches for 70 yards and Texas still doesn't get in the end zone.
As for Tre' Newton, no single back has gained 100 yards against Alabama in over two years and none of these guys on Texas of all teams won't be the first team to do it.
7 - 11
Excuse me: That's 7:30 Central, 8:30 Eastern. I don't want anyone to miss the first hour of the game. That may be all that's worth watching unless you are a hardcore 'Bama fan.
8 - Jay The Sage
I just want to add that tomorrow night is Greg McElroy's night to shine. Think about Alabama's stats. Ingram has averaged almost 10 y.p.c. after contact. Jones is the go-to guy on the team. Upchurch (if given the chance), will make big plays, and Richardsons' speed makes him a force to be reckoned with. Then we have one of the best defensive backs in college football. Alabama 35, Texas 34. Enough said.
9 - Josh Hathaway
And I had a grammatical error I'd like to clean up. Texas hasn't successfully run the ball on anyone and no single back has gained 100 yards against a Bama defense in over two years. There is no statistical evidence or logical reason to think any of these Longhorn backs will end that streak. If Texas wins -- and they won't -- it won't be because they learned how to run the football after not being able to for four months nor will it be because Alabama suddenly forgot how to stop the run. The difference between Alabama vs the run and Texas vs the run is that Alabama's numbers came against statistically better rushing attacks than Texas' did. This is going to be an epic beatdown and you heard it here first.
10 - Josh Hathaway
How is Texas going to score 34, JayTheSage? They got 13 against a good but lesser defense in Nebraska. That's another Hall of Fame vote for Bartkowski there.
11 - Jay The Sage
Everyone is going to want a high scoring game. Alabama isn't just going to win, they're gonna look good doing it. This isn't just some championship game. They know they got this. They're gonna let Texas put up some points. Even you can't lie and say Texas isn't gonna bring everything they've got. And remember, Bama barely won against Arkansas. . .
12 - 11
I predict that when the sun comes up tomorrow, it will be red, not yellow. I know it has been yellow for millions of years. Ignore all data and trust me: Tomorrow, the sun will be red.
13 - 11
Bama destroyed Arkansas by five TDs.
14 - Jay The Sage
my badd, i mean tennessee. they won 12-10
15 - Jay The Sage
even auburn put up a fight, remember?
16 - Salsa Shark
Auburn? Seriously?
C'Mon. 'Bama toasted those punks 26-7.
They'll beat Texas by 20.
17 - Josh Hathaway
Wait... you think Nick Saban is thinking, "Everyone wants a good show, so what we're going to do is let Texas put up a few points and then we're going to shut them down and win?" Okay, you don't even get a seat at the little kids' table. We're going to get you the locomotive from Mr. Rogers that takes people to the Land of Make Believe.
18 - 11
They did put up a fight. That's fair. But Tennesee scored 10 points, and Auburn scored 21, 14 of which came on big plays. 10 and 21 equals 31 combined in those two games. Florida scored 13, and their offense is far better than either AU or UT.
No one has sustained drives against Alabama all year. For Texas to score 30+ points, they are going to have to hit four or five big plays.
That may well happen, but it hasn't happened yet. That's my point. No one has sustained drives against Alabama yet, and I don't think Texas will either.
19 - Jay The Sage
Ok Josh, but lie and say that it's not going to be a close game. You misinterpret wat i'm saying. They're gonna be scoring on both sides. You know it as well as anyone else. Bama is still coming out on top.
20 - Jay The Sage
And Bama won 26-21 over Auburn mann. . .
21 - Jay The Sage
Had not Terrence Cody blocked that field goal, Bama woulda lost to Tennessee.
22 - Jay The Sage
Those big plays you just commented on are what texas will be looking for dude.
23 - Josh Hathaway
They'll also be looking for the Loch Ness monster, I'm sure. Every team wanted to stop Mark Ingram this year, too. 12/13 failed. I'm sure every team Alabama faced wanted big plays. Not many of those were surrendered. We've seen good defenses stifle Texas and I don't see anywhere they have a matchup advantage that will yield these big plays.
24 - kelly
Alabama may win or Texas.Who knows,but i go for bama.