'Bama Brings it Back Home

Taking advantage of a devastating injury to Texas' All-American quarterback Colt McCoy, with its running game, and defense, Alabama steamrolled through the first half and survived the second to claim national championship. First off I want to give my thoughts and prayers with McCoy. I mean there's all the talk about if he would have played the game would have been different but you never know. You can say so man ifs in sports we would be here all day (what if Sam Bradford didn't get hurt?). But there is no doubt that injury changed the game (not the outcome). I hope he comes back healthy though for the NFL Draft. McCoy’s official diagnosis is a pinched nerve. He suffered a somewhat similar injury his freshman season against Kansas State, when he pinched a nerve in his neck/shoulder area. But no matter what one question will always be part of Jan. 7, 2010, what if? I did appreciate his interview at the end though. Speaks volume for him and I sure did appreciate it. But I felt though Alabama was going to win regardless. Heisman winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson both ran for more than 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, Alabama's defense gave up just 91 first-half yards. And even if Ingram leaves, Richardson looks like a sure next great back for 'Bama. That run he scored on was a great speed but of course that experienced offensive lined helped too. Alabama's 205 rushing yards were the most allowed all season by Texas, and the Longhorns' offense couldn't manage a first down in its first four possessions after McCoy's injury, Alabama began to roll through the nation's top-rated rushing defense. Defensively, the Crimson Tide forced five turnovers, including three to ice the game in the final minutes and a 28-yard interception return by the game's defensive MVP with three seconds remaining in the first half. The freshman that had to replace McCoy, Gilbert wound up 15-for-40 for 186 passing yards and four interceptions. I know this will probably be the hardest lost that he will take because he did not in his wildest dreams think he would play last night. Texas actually outgained Alabama 276 yards to 263 but the injury, turnovers, and inexperience cost them. Last night's championship made No. 13 for the program while also making Saban the first coach to win a BCS title at two different institutions. One guy who I thought I would hear from was Julio Jones. He did not even catch a ball (I don't think). But then again it wasn't his fault as they only threw the ball 11 times. On the other side though, Jordan Shipley had 10 grabs by himself as he kept his team in the game.