Alabama 37, Texas 21

An interesting game the outcome of which will be discussed for quite a while.

After all the hype and build up about Heisman candidate QB Colt McCoy of Texas squaring off against Alabama's defense and Heisman winner running back Mark Ingram facing Texas' defense, we got precious little of the former (just five plays) and a lot less of the latter than expected. McCoy got hit hard on a quarterback keeper on the fifth play ad game out of the game dangling his right arm by his side. He never returned. Ingram sat out almost all of the third quarter and a large chunk of the fourth with sever cramps in his legs. Alabama's offense was stifled during that time going three-and-out four consecutive series.

Still, the game did have it's share of drama.

Why did Saban call a fake punt so deep in Alabama's end on the first series? That didn't work too well and led to a Texas field goal.

That was followed by Texas pooch kicking the ball high and short. The Tide players were caught off guard and failed to corral the ball. That set up another Texas field goal.

True freshman Garrett Gilbert played nervous for the entire first half (he compelted just oone of eleven passes for minus 2 yards), but showed a lot of promise in the second. That shovel pass at the end of the first half? It should have been buried--i.e. never thrown. That Marcell Dareus (the Alabama defensive lineman who put McCoy out of the game) was able to pluck it out of the air as it bounced of hands, chests, asses, etc. and return it 28 yards for a TD...well. that should never, ever happen. But it did and made the score 24-6 at the half.

With Ingram obviously pained from cramps in his legs (or maybe that grimace on his face was from all the pickle juice they were forcing him to drink), Gilbert started to hit McCoy's roommate wide receiver Jordan Shipley (10 catches fr 122 yards and 2 TDs) and suddenly the Tide's lead was only 24-21. With just 6:15 left in the fourth quarter, Texas had the ball on their own 7 yard line and a chance to make history.

But a blind side sack and a fumble recovery on the 4 yard line lead to one Ingram touchdown. A few minutes later, after Gilbert's third interception of the game, Richardson would score the final Alabama TD. to make it 37-21 after the extra point attempt clanged off the left upright.

For Alabama, Ingram ended the night with 22 carries for 116 yards. Trent Richardson had 19 carries and 109 yards. Marcell Dareus had one tackle (knocking out McCoy), one interceptions (of THE shovel pass at the end of the first half), and one TD (on the 28 yard return of same).

The Kid, Gilbert, finished the game 15 for 40 for 186 yards, 2 TDs and 4 INT. He should have had more completions. There were at least four passes that were in receivers' hands and dropped. And I can guarantee that he will never, ever throw another shovel pass into a crowd.

Congratulations to Alabama and Coach Saban on bringing home the National Championship.