Rose Bowl Reactions, Part 1
by Peter Bean on Jan 11, 2010 1:19 AM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintAfter 72 hours away from a computer, I've finally recovered enough to sit down and talk about the game. I have purposefully avoided the the sea of content here (or anywhere else) about the game, so where others have already said the same thing, I can only say that I certainly agree. I jump on a plane out of California tomorrow morning, but before I do, a flurry of thoughts on the heartbreaking loss. Rather than publish one hyper-long post, I'll break the thoughts into several.
Nick Saban spent a year preparing for the SEC Championship rematch with Florida, and dominated the contest. He clearly needed more than a month to do the same to Texas.
Nevertheless... he won. They won. We can say that Alabama didn't get our best shot, but you know, and I know, and the dude who engraved the crystal trophy late in the fourth quarter of the game knew... the final score is all that matters. Flags fly forever.
Alabama is the national champion for the 2009 season, and they deserve our congratulations. They had a hell of a season, and they scored more points than we did on Thursday night. We played it out on the field; they won.
Congratulations, Alabama. Y'all are deserving national champions and have every right to be proud. I would be, too.
After the game, I couldn't bear to go near a computer. Didn't want to read my email, didn't want to read any stories about the game. I certainly didn't want to write anything, because I felt nothing good and had nothing good to say. I needed some time to rejoin the land of the living.
I can't even begin to imagine what Colt McCoy felt.
I guess I'm glad he's a man of such abiding faith; the cruel unfolding of events on Thursday night makes him the Job of college football. Whether he were to win or lose, no player in recent memory has more deserved the chance to prove it all on the big stage.
He didn't get it. Doc Saturday is one hundred percent right: "The cruelty is the mystery."
Let's be clear about this: Colt McCoy was dealt a ten-ton truck of bad luck. Big Roy has done a great job breaking down the fateful play, which shows how McCoy's split-second decisions led him to the spot where he'd take the hit knocking him out of the game. But only someone with an agenda could characterize the outcome as anything other than a terrible, tragic blow of bad luck. The same would be true (though arguably to a lesser degree) if he had, say, separated his shoulder, or even suffered a concussion... but as it was, McCoy simply took a hit on precisely the spot that would pinch a nerve.
Colt McCoy didn't get hurt. It's crueler than that...
He went numb.
As I write this sentence, Colt McCoy can probably throw a football just fine again. It rips my heart out just thinking about that. And I guarantee you that if it were practicable, more than a handful of Alabama fans would have gladly put everything on pause for a couple days so that the two teams could finish competing with McCoy on the field.
That's how this game will be remembered. We'll remember it as a game that we believe wholeheartedly Texas would have won had Colt McCoy stayed in the game.
Alabama (rightfully) won't remember it as a championship undeserved, but again, more than a few of their fantastic fans will remember feeling disappointed the Tide didn't get Texas's best shot. Because they believe just as strongly as we do that their team would have won with McCoy in the game.
Ultimately, we're both right. I feel confident in speculating that if the game were played out a thousand times, Texas would win hundreds of times -- most with McCoy, a few without him, and amongst them all, dozens in which they beat an Alabama team that had the terrible night of bad luck. On the flip side, of course, the Crimson Tide would roll the Longhorns hundreds of times -- most being contests in which McCoy did play the entire game.
Such a large sample would certainly improve our ability to talk about which team was the "best," but even then, no guarantees. An even or near-even split of victories would still raise the same questions. (To say nothing of the other top teams who might deserve consideration.)
In the end, there is no "best" -- only a champion. Had the entire Alabama team caught swine flu and forfeited this year's game, that would have been Texas.
As it happened, this year's champion is Alabama.
That much, we know.
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Oh PB.
That might be perceived as too backhanded, I think.
But it sums up pretty well what most of us are going through. Good job.
Yes, too backhanded. McCoy went out due to efforts performed by an overly physical Alabama defense that was hardly uncharacteristic of them (don’t believe me, then just ask LSU’s QB and RB). This is hardly comparable to the one in a million chance of an entiure team catching swine flu.
I don’t understand why so many Texas fans need to keep repeating and overexagerrate the “dumb luck” scenario, as if having McCoy would have made much of a difference. Remember McCoy’s embarrassing performances against Nebraska and Oklahoma, throwing more INTs than TDs and not even 300 yds in those two collective games? Well Bama’s defense was better than both OU and NU, so why must we assume McCoy would have suddenly pulled a Vince Young? You could tell from the first drive he was scared of the Bama defense (he already said it would be the best he would ever face) quickly getting rid of the ball on short 2yd dumps as soon as he could get a grip on it.
That's our offense
Quick reads and short passes. He wasn’t scared he was sharp. No doubt Alabama has a great defense, but to say much better than Nebraska or OU is false. The Tide was not able to put pressure on Gilbert the whole game. They also could not cover our receivers. Your d-line is great against the run, but rather useless against our passing attack. It’s hard to imagine McCoy not tearing that D up. Having said that I am sure Alabama would have played things differently with McCoy in the game. Congrats on the win. Your defense was the 2nd best on the field Thursday, but your team ended up 1st. Enjoy it.
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 8:02 AM CST up reply actions
second best defense?
== No doubt Alabama has a great defense, but to say much better than Nebraska or OU is false.
Bama is in the top five in virtually every defensive category. Particularly impressive is yards per game. Alabama is ranked second only behind TCU in ypg. Nebraska and Oklahoma are ranked 7th and 8th. In rushing yds per game Alabama is again ranked 2nd, whereas Nebraska and Oklahoma are ranked 8th and 9th. In passing yards per game, Alabama allows 163, which ranks them at 8th in the nation. Nebraska and Oklahoma are ranked 19th and 20th. In fact, the only category where either team leads Alabama is points allowed, which Nebraska leads at 10.4. But Alabama is right behind them allowing 11.0 and Oklahoma is ranked 7th with 14.5. Considering four of the TDs scored against Bama this year have been on kick off returns (which for some odd reason goes against the defense!?!) Bama’s defense really gives up around 8-9 points per game. But what makes this disparity even more impressive is that Alabama played much tougher teams than OU and NU. So in which universe does Alabama have an inferior defense to OU and NU?
== The Tide was not able to put pressure on Gilbert the whole game.
Then apparently you didn’t watch the BCS championship. The poor kid completed only 37% of his passes because he was pressured constantly. Passes were swatted down at least three times, interceptions were forced on four occasions, bad passes were thrown because he was trying to throw around McClain and Cody’s arms, all in all five turnovers resulted from pressure on Gilbert. The stats say he was only sacked twice, but I watched at least four other occasions where outside blitzes resulted in sacks, which didn’t count as sacks because he managed to dive forward to the line of scrimmage. I remember in teh first quarter it looked like he might also have to come out of the game because he was hit on the arm by Upshaw as he let a pass go.
To say he wasn’t pressured is just ridiculous.
== They also could not cover our receivers.
Uh huh, which explains why Gilbert threw the ball 40 times but could only find open receivers 15 times. He was able to get into a groove in the third quarter after Bama tapped on the brakes and tried to ride out the clock. Our Heisman winner was taken out of the game for a full quarter and backup DBs and DLs were put in because they were either seniors, or next year’s starters.
== d-line is great against the run, but rather useless against our passing attack.
Again, the numbers say differently. You think that just becase Shipley managed to jook a few inexperienced DBs who were only in there for the experience, somehow outweighs the fact that Bama’s pass defense is among the best in the nation?
== It’s hard to imagine McCoy not tearing that D up.
Like he did against Oklahoma and Nebraska’s much lower ranked passing D? Again, throwing more Interceptions than Touchdowns, and passing for 121 and 170 yds in those competitions is hardly indicative of someone who can pass at will against Bama. I remember at halftime against OU, Texas had something like 27 yds total offense. So it is rather easy to imagine McCoy being unable to outperform the Bama D.
== Having said that I am sure Alabama would have played things differently with McCoy in the game. Congrats on the win. Your defense was the 2nd best on the field Thursday, but your team ended up 1st. Enjoy it.
Second best? How do you figure? The best thing about your legendary defense was supposed to be its ability to stop the run. But Alabama mowed them down like they were nothing; even our freshman RB had a career day. In the second quarter Alabama rushed the ball 19 times for two touchdowns and averaged more than 8yds per carry. At halftime with a three score lead, and every indication that Texas’ had invested all its offensive eggs into the McCoy basket, Alabama naturally stepped on the brakes, which allowed Gilbert to get off a few long pases late in the game. But once the lead was cut to three, Ingram went back into the game, the Defense bucked up and said no more Mr. Nice guy, and Bama quickly scored 13 unanswered points. And on that last drive, Texas had no excuses. They knew Bama was running out the clock with running plays, and they still couldn’t stop the freshman from plowing it into the end zone from outside the redzone.
So in what sense was Texas a better defense? Because McElroy, who played with two broken ribs, only three the ball 11 times? (going 6 for 11 and averaging 10 yds per toss). Hell he didn’t need tothrow the ball at all. Alabama sticks with what works, which was the running game.
The fact that you are here, trying justify everything that is said by a Texas fan says a lot.
Deep inside you know the game would have been very very different. But, just like many Texas fans, you are also in denial. The game changed so much when Colt went out, on both sides of the ball and there is no denying that.
Texas moved the ball quickly and very well the first 4 plays. There is also no denying that. You are here, on a Texas website, trying to make yourself feel better about this win. You want to be happy, and you probably are, but there is still something inside of you that knows you might not have been the “best team” on the field.
But as PB said,
As it happened, this year’s champion is Alabama.
That much, we know.
"The best decision I ever made was coming to Texas," James said. "The second-best decision was coming back."
Again, it is ridiculous to predict an entire game outline and outcome based on the first four plays. The fact is MCCoy sucks against decent defenses, and there is no reason to believe he would suddenly become a hero against the best defense he has every played against. Giving up two quick two yd dump passes is hardly indicative of a defense on its heels.
I don’t need to make myself feel better about the win, I am just amazed as the cognitive dissonance that takes place in the minds of some of the McCoy worshippers. The attempts to minimize Bama’s accomplishment is insulting and based on zero facts. It is based on the die-hard faith of a cult whose icon has dwindled into a sea of irrelevance.
No one's taking away Bama's accomplishments.
It’s insulting, rather, to say our QB ‘sucks’ and to insinuate that his injury didn’t dramatically alter the outcome of the game. Bama’s first drive was arrogant and also insulting and we had a ton of momentum. Of course we don’t KNOW if we would have won or lost with McCoy healthy. I for one would love to be able to know that, one way or the other, even if we had been annihilated. Just to know. And we can’t.
It’s frustrating & you should be able to understand that. Why not go celebrate your accomplishments, friend, and quit being a sore winner?
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:08 PM CST up reply actions
== It’s insulting, rather, to say our QB ‘sucks’ and to insinuate that his injury didn’t dramatically alter the outcome of the game.
I never said he sucked, and to say it would dramatically change the outcome would be to concede that Texas would have won the game. Bama fans didn’t believe this before his injury, so there is no reason we should believe it after his injury.
== Bama’s first drive was arrogant and also insulting and we had a ton of momentum.
It was risky, same as Gilbert’s shovel pass with 15 seconds deep in his own territory. But Texas definately benefited from it. Had the punter throw the ball as far as my sister can throw it, Alabama has its 1st down and Texas doesn’t begin its first possession in FG range.
== It’s frustrating & you should be able to understand that. Why not go celebrate your accomplishments, friend, and quit being a sore winner?
I just take exception to some of the things said on this blog. You say Bama’s accomplishments have not been limited or diminished, but they most certainly have been. Usually players go into a game shaking hands saying “may the best team win.”
Well, in the end Texas says "technically you won fair and square… so we say congratulations for that… on your minimal effort championship… with the second best defense " That’s what I am hearing here.
You said this, dude
The fact is MCCoy sucks
Are you equating the fans being bummed out with the Texas team somehow not respecting the Bama team? Because if you haven’t yet seen our players’ and coaches’ reactions, I suggest you do so and eat your words. They are classy.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
Fact is you are a troll and we are not interested in what you say
I saw that your account has posts only on this site. I will ask you the same question I’ve asked others- ‘Why are you here provoking us when you should be celebrating a momentous victory?’ My answer to this lies somewhere in the realm of insecurity. It’s like a teenage girl- “OMG they’re talking about us!!!” No offense intended to teenage girls in the audience. If you were truly that secure about your win you wouldn’t be here.
You’ll be waiting a long time for us to become your ‘knaves’ as another troll put it.
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 11, 2010 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
I can't believe
the banhammer hasn’t been dropped on this idiot. I’d mention that RBR would ban him too but that’s a non-issue since he isn’t signed up…
by billycthulhu on Jan 12, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
Exactly
I was thinking just this. Bama fans have been explaining and justifying (not celebrating, it seems) here for days. They seem to know what we do. How could you not at least suspect that it would have been different? You’d have to be irrational to think that Texas would do worse with Colt in there than Gilbert.
But, as Peter said, I agree — Bama won the game. They are the champs.
"I've always been an admirer of Texas' clock management. Now, I am completely sold." -- Les Miles
by Distributor of the Football on Jan 11, 2010 5:31 PM CST up reply actions
Really?
=So in what sense was Texas a better defense? Because McElroy, who played with two broken ribs, only three the ball 11 times? (going 6 for 11 and averaging 10 yds per toss).
I would like to see Bama’s yards per play when he dropped back to pass, had to be something like 2-3 yards because he got sacked a lot.
"The best decision I ever made was coming to Texas," James said. "The second-best decision was coming back."
Again, he was sacked five times sure, but he didnt want to risk making bad throws with two broken ribs too. But the point is he didn’t need to throw the ball that much because the running game had its way with Texas. And five sacks is still four shy of MCCoy’s nine sacks against Nebraska. Does that say something about how horrible the QB is, only when it is not McCoy?
He didn't NEED to throw much?
Or could it just be that running the ball made a whole hell of a lot more sense when you have a Heisman-winning running back?
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
That too, especially when it is working. And Saban knew McElroy was playing with broken ribs. Ever tried throwing an accurate pass with broken ribs? I have, and it isn’t fun.
Exactly my point.
Which is why calling out our D for that offensive coaching decision makes little to no sense and is just being a dick.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
You lost me. How was I calling out you D? McElroy’s subpar stats in the game were thrown up to prove a point about how dominant your Defense was. I was merely explaining why his stats were as they were, and they had more to do with McElroy being reluctant to throw and risk an interception. Even when he was sacked, on two occassions he had about 6-7 seconds to throw, double-pumped, could have thrown the ball out of bounds, but he took the sack anyway. Later we learn that he didn’t trust his arm to throw to that side without risking a pick-6.
You called out our D here
But the point is he didn’t need to throw the ball that much because the running game had its way with Texas.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
and all the claims that Bama was just as banged up as Texas ...
more self-doubt. Sorry, we won the injury contest hands-down.
"I've always been an admirer of Texas' clock management. Now, I am completely sold." -- Les Miles
by Distributor of the Football on Jan 11, 2010 5:32 PM CST up reply actions
the 2nd best defense
only allowed 21 points….just saying.
by AlltheGreatQBs on Jan 12, 2010 12:18 AM CST up reply actions
I'm sorry, but did you even watch the game?
Bama was able to pressure Gilbert for most of the game whether it be through quick throws, batted passes, or sacks with subsequent fumbles on the 5 yard line (Did you forget that?). All season, Saban has preached that his philosophy is built on pressuring the QB in ways that don’t always lead to sacks…he is more concerned with the QB getting rid of the ball quickly in order to increase chances of INT’s, which if you watched the game, we had quite a few of.
We also were able to cover your receivers most of the game. Shipley made most of his big catches on busted coverages. Can you even name another receiver that had over 25 yards in receiving in the game?
I’m amused at how so many UT fans are chalking up a win if McCoy stayed in the game. You do realize he played for about 6 snaps. How does that justify that he would’ve played a good game? And how do you know what our game plan would’ve been had he stayed in? Saban stated that we changed everything up when Gilbert came in the game. On top of that, we went conservative for an entire quarter and a half b/c Saban was fine with running the clock and letting our D win the game…but it’s hard to ask a defense to remain intense when you’re up by 18 points. But you saw what happened when you guys were only down by 3…it’s the same thing that we’ve done all season when we had to. We finally decided that we needed to turn it on again and you know what happened after that….a sack, a fumble recovery, 2 picks, and 14 points. Clearly you were watching a replay of some other game on ESPN classic.
Can you even name another receiver that had over 25 yards in receiving in the game?
Marquise Goodwin put up 70. Or were you referring to Bama receivers?
Nothing to defend
Gilbert was pressured. I’ve never chalked up a win had McCoy stayed healthy. Just answering your question and pointing out that Bama’s defensive effort wasn’t as rock solid as some are making it out.
I’m just amused at how many Bama fans are willing to chalk up a win had McCoy stayed healthy and are making excuses for the near comeback.
Vantage Point
I not only watched the game but I have watched numerous replays of the game. Bama is a running team and they won’t be shut-down, but they can be controlled, which is what happened in the second half. You guys keep saying “the game plan changed”, “we took our foot off the gas”, “if Colt played we still would win”, I’ve heard it all, but just watching what an inexperienced QB was able to do contradicts your argument. How can anyone say or think that a more experienced QB would not have presented a different outcome. If Bama’s gameplan was to stop our best player, why would you change the plan and downgrade when someone who is nowhere near Colt’s level, yet, entered the game? Was it sympathy? How can you say we purposely weren’t playing in the second half when, you ran the same plays that burned us in the first half, but all of a sudden we weren’t trying to play? All of these excuses would not hold up in a highschool debate. And if you go back and study the film you will see that we had receivers open all night, but Garrett’s inexperience limited him in finding the open receivers. He made freshman mistakes like, staring only at the receiver he wanted to throw to instead of going through his progressions. The first int. he threw could have been picked by three different DBs because he telegraphed what he was about to do, and on that same play he had Dan Buckner running a seam up the middle who had only Arenas to his backside and nobody in front of him. From my vantage point both teams played good defense, and both defenses got burned on two plays, but the glaring difference was Garrett’s inexperience which eventually led to our downfall. “It’s hard to ask a defense to remain intense when you’re up by 18”, dude give me a break; you are really stretchin’ this thing out. “But you saw what happened when you guys were only down by 3”, I certainly did, Garrett did not check off to his hot route, instead he stood there watching Shipley get covered by 4 different DBs while Dan Buckner, once again was alone, and it resulted in him being sacked. Colt would have read the blitz and immediately hit his hot route. Bama’s D did what it was supposed to do but our QB has alot to learn.
really?
you can’t understand? Our offense looked better in the first drive of that game than it ever did against Nebraska or OU. Ho were you feeling just before Colt got hurt? I feel quite sure that, if nothing else, it would have been 10 – 0 is Colt plays that first series. The game would have been totally different from that point out. Would Texas have won? who knows, but to claim that there is no logical reason to have expected a different outcome is nonsensical. I hate that we keep having this conversation over and over. I’m happy to give Bama credit, but the idea that bama’s win was manifest destiny regardless of the Colt injury is crazy.
== offense looked better in the first drive of that game than it ever did against Nebraska or OU.
You call a first down on three short plays an impressive drive? That is all you can attribute to McCoy before he got rocked by Dareus. And the first play against Oklahoma went for 16yds.
== Ho were you feeling just before Colt got hurt? I feel quite sure that, if nothing else, it would have been 10 – 0 is Colt plays that first series.
Maybe, but I felt at ease. You see Alabama always starts out slow, even against cupcake teams like FIU. Texas essentially pulled out the same tricks Auburn used to get to a quick lead (no huddle offense, misdirection sweeps and onsides kick) The difference was, Auburn got two TDs while Texas only got FGs. But the end result was always the same; Bama’s running game would take over as usual. McCoy’s presence would not change that fact.
How did you feel knowing that your first points were literally handed to you by dumb luck? A punter underthrows a wide open receiver by five yds, turning a 7-0 lead into your first possession in FG range. You guys had the ball first an goal at the one yd line and still couldn’t punch it in. On one interception by Arenas, for some reason he falls down when there was nothing but open field ahead of him. You guys should thank the football Gods that he didn’t keep running because that was an easy 7 points. And you can’t tell me that the shanked onsides kick which was a bullet straight into the helmet of a Bama player was designed to bounce straight back towards the Texas line. That was planned, or was it dumb luck? You see, I can sit through a video of the game and point out all kinds of fortunate events that you guys should be grateful for. Missed FG, missed extra point, etc. The score could have very easily been much, much worse.
== The game would have been totally different from that point out. Would Texas have won? who knows, but to claim that there is no logical reason to have expected a different outcome is nonsensical.
It isn’t if you take recent history seriously. Again, what did McCoy do againt Oklahoma and Nebraska? Those were virtually the only two games he had expected to have trouble with, and he came up embarrassingly short. Texas’ most impressive win was aganst #14 Nebraska in a game that was anything but impressive.
== I hate that we keep having this conversation over and over. I’m happy to give Bama credit, but the idea that bama’s win was manifest destiny regardless of the Colt injury is crazy.
I’ve said nothing about destiny. I’m just responding to these silly notions that Bama’s win proves nothing except that they can beat Texas’ 18 year old backup, and that Alabama’s was the second best defense on teh field. Nobody wants to address the total decimation of Texas’ true #1 weapon, and the real reason they have gone undefeated this year: its defense. Its defense won those big games against NU and OU, not McCoy.
whatever
You call a first down on three short plays an impressive drive?
I don’t recall saying anything about an “impressive drive”. What I did say was that our O already looked better and more comfortable than they had at any point against OU or NU. oith of those teams shut down our offense (complete with our starting QB) early in the game.
But the end result was always the same; Bama’s running game would take over as usual. McCoy’s presence would not change that fact.
You mean how they took over to the tune of 3 yards in the 3rd quarter and let Texas back in the game? Not to mention the presence of McCoy would absolutley have impacted the defense. No matter what you think about McCoy, there’s no way Texas has all those consecutive 3 and outs in the 1st half and hands bama the ball at mid flield over and over again.
I’m just responding to these silly notions that Bama’s win proves nothing except that they can beat Texas’ 18 year old backup, and that Alabama’s was the second best defense on teh field.
Where did I say anything about the win proving nothing, or the relative ranking of the defenses?
Nobody wants to address the total decimation of Texas’ true #1 weapon, and the real reason they have gone undefeated this year: its defense
What!!???!! Decimation? Bama scored twice in the second half – once on a 3 yard drive and again when the game was decided. If the defense was so “decimated” why didn’t bama just run it down our throats? Our D was definitely on their heels in the 1st half, but even then only gave up 17 points.
If you’re honestly saying to me that there is no question about the outcome if our best player actually plays,, then I think we’re at an impasse.
which part of the drive looked good?
as i recall, you didnt go very far and just come up with three points…..
by AlltheGreatQBs on Jan 12, 2010 12:19 AM CST up reply actions
PB's post summarizes exactly how I feel
I don’t think it’s backhanded at all. Any honest Alabama fan must admit that depression had already set in for the Tide just before McCoy was injured. Texas forced a punt on 4th and 23, forced a special teams turnover, and was moving the ball at will on the mighty Alabama defense, going yards 26 yards in five snaps — and that without a single incompletion or negative yardage play. And even without McCoy, Texas had a good shot at the game late in the fourth quarter, and Bama needed two turnovers to end it. So yeah, I think that if we play this game a thousand times, Texas would win hundreds of them.
All that said, Bama won this one, and that’s what matters. Those are the rules.
== Any honest Alabama fan must admit that depression had already set in for the Tide just before McCoy was injured.
Why? Because Texas managed 10 yards on its first three plays? Even if they had jumped to a 14-0 lead, it isn’t like we haven’t seen this before. Bama’s defense gets better and better throughout a game. It is weird that it works that way, but it is true. Just look at how they shut down Auburn after that 14-0 lead. Virtually half of their offense came from two trick plays.
== Texas forced a punt on 4th and 23,
True, which is hardly cause for immediate concern with just over 58 minutes of football left to play.
==forced a special teams turnover
Forced??? The Punter had a brain fart or something. Nobody was near the punter and the receiver was WIDE open. He underthrew the ball by a good five or six yards for no explicable reason. That wasn’t forced in any sense of the term.
== and was moving the ball at will on the mighty Alabama defense, going yards 26 yards in five snaps
At will huh? There was the misidrection sweep which was the only rushing play that had success (briefly anyway) but aside from that there was the 0 gain rush by McCoy, and several attempts to punch it in from the one yard line. Are we to believe McCoy would have rushed for a TD against Bama’s goaline defense, when their best RB couldn’t? Are we to believe he would have throw for a TD when everyone was clearly well covered during Gilbert’s pass? The only reason McCoy was in FG rane to begin with was due to a gift by Bama’s punter.
==and that without a single incompletion or negative yardage play.
He went 2 for 2 for 9 yds. Wow. Let’s extrapolate from this his statistics for the game had he played four quarters. By that logic, McElroy has never lost a game i his life, so Texas was doomed from the start.
== And even without McCoy, Texas had a good shot at the game late in the fourth quarter, and Bama needed two turnovers to end it.
WTF? Needed? You’re saying without those turnovers, Texas would have marched down the field at will with Bama going back to its original gameplan of pressuring Gilbert like in the first half? Let’s get real for a econd. Even if we assume Glbert doesn’t fumble the ball during the Anders sack, Texas still needs 24 yds for a first down at their own 3yd line. What are the chances they try another pass with a guy who has thrown 3 INTs?
Why are you here?
You obviously are looking for something. Every Texas fan I know has been very respectful to Alabama. I know I congratulate you on your victory. But if your looking for us to bow down and kiss the ring it ain’t happening. You obviously don’t hold the same respect for Texas that we have shown your school. We have every right to be disappointed and think about what if. I guess you have a problem with that. Go back to Roll Tide. Fact is you won. Another fact is your D isn’t as good as advertised. You guys are dominant against the run. Your seem unable to rush the passer without a blitz. Your secondary struggled to cover our WR’s. Your offense did a great job, in the 2nd quarter, of taking advantage of a tired Texas D. Your RB’s are awesome. After that our D dominated the game much more so than Alabama’s. I know you guys went conservative but you couldn’t move the ball. The only obvious thing is these teams are close. It’s a good match up because each offense has advantages on the other D. Doesn’t matter.
Just go back to your own blog. I’m sure they all are drinking the same kool aide. Enjoy your victory. Just because it’s one of the weakest effort’s by a NC winner doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Congrats/
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions
I think it's a troll.
Just joined yesterday and is only subscribed to BON…
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
+1
Trolls will be trolls. As far as actual points about the defense, I feel Texas’s defense was pretty lacking against the run, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t yelling “WTF COVER SHIPLEY!!!!!” during that game
by billycthulhu on Jan 12, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
Well in yesterday’s article here written by Billy Zane, I learned that Alabama has a majority of “trashy” yet polite rednecks as a fanbase. Maybe you consider that respectful? I also was informed that Alabama “proved nothing of consequence” in that win except that it was able to beat up on an inexperienced, 18 year old freshman. And now I learn that people insist the game shows that Bama’s was the second best defense. Is it wrong for me to challenge some of these crazy assertions?
Being disappointed is natural, expected and allowed. But being disigenuous, disrespectful and sore losers isn’t. Saying congratulations doesn’t quite make up for the plethora of ignorant, denigrating comments that have flooded this forum as of late. Texas fans reiterate that we won fair and square, as if it were just a technicality, but they are also quick to emphasize, in every possible backdoor way, that Alabama just got lucky and remains the inferior team.
== Another fact is your D isn’t as good as advertised.
Based on what evidence? Your 270 yds of offense on 19 different possessions?
== You guys are dominant against the run. Your seem unable to rush the passer without a blitz.
Then how does this assertion explain why Dareus, our sophomore DT leads the team with 7 sacks?
== Your secondary struggled to cover our WR’s.
Um, only Shipley really, and only when backup DBs were put into place or when they were blitzing, opening up the receivers. Again, in the first half you guys couldn’t complete a pass beyond 8 yds to save your lives; unless it was a screen to a RB.
== Your offense did a great job, in the 2nd quarter, of taking advantage of a tired Texas D.
Your defense was tired in the FIRST quarter? That is your excuse? That first scoring drive began late in the first quarter and finished in the second, and you’re saying it isn’t because Bama dominated on offense, but rather Texas just got tired on defense! You’re killing me here… lol
== Your RB’s are awesome. After that our D dominated the game much more so than Alabama’s.
You mean during the full quarter when Ingram was out of the game and the plan became a charitable “milk the clock and don’t embarrass them too badly by running up the score”? Saban played seniors and several non starters I know. And you really think this proves your D suddenly “dominated” simply because Bama didn’t score for an entire quarter on only a few drives? If the Texas D changed to unstoppable at halftime, then why didn’t they stop Ingram and Richardson from scoring rushing TDs late in the 4th?
== I know you guys went conservative but you couldn’t move the ball.
Nonsense. What game were you watching anyway? Bama only had the ball for three short possessions in teh third, whereas Texas had it for five, thanks to a fortunate onsides kick that bounced off a Bama helmet and back into the crowd of Longhorns. I guess that was by design, right?
== Just because it’s one of the weakest effort’s by a NC winner doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Congrats
This is the backhanded condecension I am referring to, and it is precisely what Billy Zane said when he said Alabama was the worst undefeated champion in a long time. Thefacts however, prove otherwise. Alabama accomplished more this year than any other champion in history. They beat more highly ranked teams (five ranked in all). They won 14 straight, they unranked teams they beat went on to win their bowl games, they had more all american players than any other team, etc. Texas’ greatest accomplishment was a win over #14 Nebraska, which was about as lucky of a win as one could possibly hope for.
It was better that McCoy go out as a martyr because he would have suffered the same fate that was handed to him by Nebraska and OU. It is probably better for his worshippers to remember him as the QB that “might have been.”
Yes it was a backhand condecending statement
in response to a lot of your statements. I really do feel Alabama shouldn’t feel bad about anything. Be proud. I would be no matter who played. What I wouldn’t do is go the the other team’s blog wondering why they don’t stand in awe of Alabama. What we can’t discuss the game? We can’t be proud of the effort our team showed. Of course that was just because you weren’t trying lol. I mean playing seniors and all. Give me a break. Your worse than any Texas fan. You give us no credit. Oh and yes a defense can get tired early in the game. You see when your offense isn’t capable of getting a first down then your defense stays on the field. Against a team as good as Alabama you just can’t hold up. Same thing kind of happened to ‘bama at the end of the 3rd. You guys couldn’t get a 1st down. Eventually you are going to get a little tired or miss an assignment. Pretty simple stuff. Of course that was against Alabama’s bench since Saban was just trying to keep it close lol. Is that why he tacked on the touchdown with a minute left. Just wanted to keep it close you know. That is just crazy. Even a troll can see that.
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
I think what you are seeing is a defensiveness towards those who want to minimize the accomplishment. Alabama accomplished more than any other national champion. Just look at the teams they beat this year in convincing fashion.
It isn’t that we feel unstable in our championship, its that we don’t like to see others diminish it. We know it was real and well earned. Look who we played to get in that bowl game, and then look at what Texas accomplished to get there. There is no comparison at all, and a good argument can be made that Texas had no business being in the championship game to begin with. But you can thank the BCS for that piece of unjust insanity.
Saying you’re not trying to degrade us, doesn’t change the fact that this is precisely what we are seeing on this blog. And opinions are fine, I just expect them to be educated opinions, based on observable facts. Not stuff pulled right from one’s arse. These are points that can be debated. So far nobody has addressed the issue of McCoy’s recent history against teams with decent defenses. His track record speaks volumes, much more so than the rhetoric of his blind faithful. Where is the logic in insisting McCoy would have made a positive difference when he was, if anything, the weak link in the other games?
Alabama accomplished more than any other national champion.
Right. This isn’t biased at all. Every national champion has considerable hurdles to overcome throughout the course of a season. Being #2 to an “unbeatable” USC team all season long, and being told we had zero chance, rings a bell.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
Come on, stop milking that win. You beat an overrated USC team in a weak conference, a team that needed a last second score to beat a three loss Notre Dame team that year. You won by a crazy Dominique Wilkins type performance by Vince Young, and your defense gave up damn near 600 yds of USC offense. Hardly the halmark of a typical championship team.
Alabama just won 14 games and beat the #1 and #2 teams in teh nation, and this they did after enduring teh toughest schedule of anyone else in the top ten. They also beat several bowl winners and other ranked teams like LSU and VT. They may not be teh best team ever, but who else has that resume?
Any team that doesn't have fans like you on our board.
I’m even accepting 2000 OU as a viable answer.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Jan 11, 2010 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I like how you can say McCoy sucks but also use our #2 ranking to pad your own team's resume
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 1:21 PM CST up reply actions
Follow your own advice
Your more biased than anyone I have seen on this blog. I understand that Alabama is a great team and deserving champion. You just put Texas down at every turn. This is a Longhorn blog we aren’t here to talk about Alabama’s greatness. Trying to say we didn’t belong is just ridiculous. Who could you make a good argument for being ahead of us. Unjust insanity? But we are pulling things out of our rear end? We expect educated opinions as well. The vast majority of your fellow fans have them. You aren’t even close. Now go away. Sorry fellow BON members for debating a troll. I will stop now.
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Not saying anyone should talk about Bama’s greatness, but you guys really make some denigrating comments that are uncalled for. That you don’t see it is amazing.
Don't you have some Brazilian women to meander with?
I’m picturing myself as a Bama fan in Brazil right now balancing a Texas blog versus Brazilian females. Hmmm.
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 11, 2010 6:22 PM CST up reply actions
Snark alert!!
Maybe I should have noted that in my comment.
You Bama say we’re whining, but there seem to be a ton of crimson panties completely twisted simply because we refuse to kiss your asses.
I know it’s hard to accept winning. Oh wait, no I don’t. We know all about it over here. And we don’t need people who root for the teams we beat to permit us to enjoy it. Learn to let go, pal. You’ll enjoy the title that much more. And you won’t give a hoot what we have to say.
Um....what?
UT vs. OU: 142 rush, 127 pass, 269 total, 16 pts, 26% 3rd down conversions
UT vs. NU: 18 rush, 184 pass, 202 total, 13 pts, 13% 3rd down conversions
UT vs. AL: 81 rush, 195 pass, 275 total, 21 pts, 35% 3rd down conversions
“Well Bama’s defense was better than both OU and NU…” = FAIL. Bama’s defense was actually the worst of the three we faced in that particular slate of games, giving up more yards, more points, and more 3rd down conversions than either OU or NU.
If the world was a school, we'd be homecoming king...
Against a Freshman QB nt.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Only a moron doesn't know this was an incredibly unlucky occurrence
And only a moron thinks that McCoy makes no difference. “Difference” does not necessarily means Texas wins, but anyone with a gram of football knowledge, on either side, knows this game goes very differently with Colt. That’s not hard to see.
Of course, with some Alabama fans having this fantasy that this team belongs in the pantheon of great teams in history, when they clearly fall behind 2001 Miami, 2005 Texas, and 2004 USC, it is perhaps not that surprising they cling to such idiotic arguments.
by TheElusiveShadow on Jan 11, 2010 7:57 PM CST up reply actions
good to have you back, pete.
alabama fans are quite familiar with the kind of bittersweet outcome texas is coming to terms with. we very much remember the 1973 Cotton Bowl when Alan Lowry ran down the sidelines for the touchdown and was later shown to have stepped out of bounds. we also have strong feelings about the 1965 Orange Bowl when officials ruled Joe Namath’s push across the goal line was not a touchdown.
but our objections do nothing to change the outcome of the games. texas won. darrell royal was carried off the field on the shoulders of his players and rightfully so. we hate it but we certainly can’t begrudge it.
still, it is something of a tragedy that these individual plays have come to encapsulate the whole of the memory of these two great games and it’s with regret we see the same thing happening again. but football isn’t about ideal situations and “what should have beens” and we learned that the hard way playing against texas in the past.
would we, as alabama fans, have preferred mccoy to have played the whole of the game? certainly, if for no other reason than to quell this nonsensical debate about the justifiability of the win and most definitely because of the unfairness of the situation to the young man himself. but mostly because we believe our team would have been able to win regardless.
i think, at bottom, the problem here is the confusion between the two claims you indicate in your post – the difference between saying which team is “the best” and which team “won the game.” too often they are considered synonymous but there is a vast gulf between the two. one speaks to an ineffable abstract idea and the other a practical and measurable fact. ironically, that’s were this contest actually cuts through the misconception a blowout win (by either team) would have created.
when two teams are of the caliber of alabama and texas – in terms of talent, coaching and furor of the fans – it is ludicrous to insist that one is in any real way better than the other. despite our decisive win over florida in the SEC championship game, this truism holds with the gators as well. these are all superb squads that we are damn lucky as fans to be living at at time we can enjoy the spectacle of them playing each other.
so insisting a single contest resolves a question of which one is better than the other is a category mistake. it only resolves the question of who won that game. it’s just that after this game they give out a crystal football. and, as you suggest, we could play a thousand times but not get any nearer to the heart of that question.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
by kleph on Jan 11, 2010 7:20 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
Kleph, I like the cut of your jib.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Jan 11, 2010 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
Well said...
And I guarantee you that if it were practicable, more than a handful of Alabama fans would have gladly put everything on pause for a couple days so that the two teams could finish competing with McCoy on the field.
Absolutely.
Had the entire Alabama team caught swine flu and forfeited this year’s game, that would have been Texas.And you’d have a bunch of whiny Alabama fans complaining about it.
The truth is, Alabama was not near 100% (Hightower was out, McElroy played with 2 cracked ribs, McClain was not NEAR 100% and needed IV injections before and during the game); nor was Texas when they lost McCoy.
The only thing I can think of that would be fair is a rematch next year…
No team is near 100%
at the end of the year. I hear a lot of Alabama fans bring up Hightower. There is no comparison. We had guys injured for the year or on academic probation. It just doesn’t to losing your QB. You can prepare for other’s being out. Their backups practice. I think any football fan knows when your QB goes down your in trouble. I know Gilbert barely played this year and am pretty sure he didn’t get many reps leading up to the game. You just can’t compare it to any other injury. I would have loved to see both teams at full strength. You just aren’t likely to get that at the end of the year. Congrats on the win. No need to feel like anything less than champions. We will be back soon enough, and I have never been prouder of the Horns. Texas Fight!
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure they understand the loss of a QB like Colt
Their offensive leadership just doesn’t lie in that position, at ALL.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe Hightower doesn’t compare, but what about McElroy? He was pretty much irrelevant because of his injury.
I would have rather seen Star Jackson play than an injured McElroy. Jackson is a Michael Vick type QB who has yet to see his time. Several of those sacks could have been avoided with a QB who had quicker feet.
Irrelevant? He could play. That’s by definition not the same thing as having a numb throwing arm.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
Well, techincally McCoy couldn’t throw, but he could still run or hand off the ball, he even said he could play safety and make a strong tackle. When he got up I saw him holding the ball, and move his arm around. He could have taken some snaps if for nothing else, to confuse the Bama defense.
Had Texas known about McElroy’s broken ribs, I am sure they’d be stacking teh box against the run on every play.
We def would have
I still don’t know how McElroy’s injury stayed under wraps for a whole month
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
Really? Obviously not to show their cards. Why would they reveal it beforehand and let Texas prepare for a one dimensional offense? Alabama didn’t know just how bad Texas’s rushing defense would be. After all, wasn’t it supposed to be ranked 1st?
Wow, I said I don’t know HOW it stayed under wraps, not WHY they would want it to. Are you still drunk from Thursday?
Alabama didn’t know just how bad Texas’s rushing defense would be
You’re insulting Texas so now I will insult Alabama. Y’all inbreed.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Come on, it was pretty bad. Can’t you admit that much? You allowed a freshman and a sophomore rush 100+ yards and you were supposed to have the best rushing defense in teh nation. Now either Texas did poorly on D, or Alabama was extraordinary on offense. It is either one of the other, something has to give. You can’t just chalk it up to a fluke or a tired defense or a lucky drive.
You allowed an 18-year-old QB to overcome a huge lead & almost win. Same?
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Alabama backs are great
and they had a good game. They didn’t dominate the game though. The majority of those yards came in the end of 1st until halftime. Texas O went into a shell in that time, which left our D on the field. They may or may not have been physically tired, but you can’t expect any D to hold up against a team like Alabama. After halftime we mostly shut the run down. Of course, with Alabama’s talent, it won’t just be stopped. I thought it was telling that Alabama couldn’t run it down our throats in the 2nd half. That is your strength and with a big lead. I thought our defense was just great in the 2nd half. Total yards went our way I think. It was real close, just like the teams are.
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
Just a game of turnovers...
at the end of the day. Colt would have made a difference. For better or worse, that we do not know. It seemed obvious that Texas was prepared by the coaches. They were ready. Let’s move on…great game Bama…enjoy the trophy.
"Stats are for losers. I like winning games." - Will Muschamp
"Somebody will always break your records. It is how you live that counts." - Earl Campbell
by Mulliganville on Jan 11, 2010 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
Texas was already preparing for a one-dimensional offense.
Because, y’know, they were playing against Alabama.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 12, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
TRUTH
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 2:16 PM CST up reply actions
different offenses as well
Alabama is much more suited to replace, or limit their QB. Also I really think we would have had a better chance if McElroy threw more. I know he was great against Florida. He may have had the same success against Texas. It would not seem likely though. The best comparison would be Richardson and Ingram getting hurt the 1st series. Then you would be forced to play an unproven RB with little practice time. With ya’ll being a physical run first team, I would think they would throw you for a loop.
by SoonerSlayer on Jan 11, 2010 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
Oh goodness
McElroy was irrelevant because the receivers couldn’t get open and he kept getting sacked. McElroy is an average, caretaker QB. Colt is a two-time Heisman finalist. Geez. Really?
by TheElusiveShadow on Jan 11, 2010 7:58 PM CST up reply actions
try losing ingram as running back and see what that does to your offense.. your offense is based on the running game and dependent on ingram. thats literally what mccoy was for texas. second people say that alabamas bruising running game dominated texas rush d. if you have mccoy in the game more thats less time for the defense to be on the field and more time for the offense. the defense gets a larger breather, are more fresh, and able ot play harder
Football: the game
No other team sport revolves as much around one player as football revolves around the QB. No other team sport permits such brutal hits as part of normal play. No other team sport has such an ill-defined process for determining its champion. Mix these three elements together and you get a game where on “any given Saturday” a team has its opportunity to win it all, and this is part of the game’s appeal. But is also means that a minor injury can determine the national championship.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Thanks, PB
I think you’ve covered it for a lot of us.
My few words: I kind of feel cheated.
I could live with losing. But this outcome seemed a bit like last year’s — we never had the chance. At least this time, the issue was decided on the field.
+1
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:14 PM CST up reply actions
I blame Vince Young.
That kid always scared the crap out of me, with comebacks, 4th quarter 30 yard runs on 4th and 30’s, juked people out of their shoes, any and every play that HAD to be made he and the team did..And like I told my father after the second GG to Ship TD, this is going to hurt SO much more if we fight this hard, come back and lose. I’ve been spoiled like many that my Horns always find ways to win even post VY (See BIG XII title game) But Bama did win, they got it done. I do feel somewhat cheated, more so because my tied for all time favorite longhorn didn’t even get a chance to go out on a high note than the simple fact that we lost. I’m ready for the GG era, I think the kid will do well. I’ve waited 4 days to say it because I just didn’t want too, but congrats Bama, you won. See you next year. Oh and it’s 12:32 on the east coast..and OU SUCKS.
I don’t think any rational person would disagree that Alabama was very beatable Thursday night.
You could see it in the faces of the fans. There weren’t many pom-poms shaking when we were down by 3 points with 3 minutes to go in the 4th and the ball in our hands.
We had our chance, we came up short. If I had been sitting at home watching the game I probably would feel different, but being there in person, screaming like hell in a sea of burnt orange with a chance to win the game in the 4th after everything that had just happened…it was amazing!
Congratulations to Alabama, hopefully we’ll meet again very soon!
I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.
== I don’t think any rational person would disagree that Alabama was very beatable Thursday night.
Here we go again… very beatable huh? Every team is technically beatable, but what was it about Bama that made them VERY beatable? They could have ran up the score if they wanted to. It could have been much MUCH worse for you guys had Saban no charity in his blood. At halftime nobody in the football world gave Texas a realistic chance at coming back, including the Bama coaching staff, which is why they slammed on the brakes and didn’t want to turn the win into a mockery. They didn’t want to cast a cloud over the win by making it a blowout.
== You could see it in the faces of the fans.
What a dumb argument. Do we really want to compare expressions from that night? Half of the Texas fans were ducking their heads and looking between their fingers.
== There weren’t many pom-poms shaking when we were down by 3 points with 3 minutes to go in the 4th and the ball in our hands
I was never worried, though I can understand why others might have been. I think it is funny you’re bragging because you managed to cut your deficit to three points. Well, immediately after that happened, Bama stepped on the gas again, both defensively and offensively. That proved once again that the only reason you scored those 2 second half TDs was because Bama allowed them. It was a way to milk the clock to minimize your embarrassment.
== We had our chance, we came up short. If I had been sitting at home watching the game I probably would feel different, but being there in person, screaming like hell in a sea of burnt orange with a chance to win the game in the 4th after everything that had just happened…it was amazing!
Don’t delude yourselves. There was never a realistic chance once Ingram went back onto the field. Even if Gilbert doesn’t fumble the ball during taht sack, you’re at your own 3yd line and need 25 yds for a first down. And Alabama’s final TD drive was still on hold, ready to roll over the Texas D. It didn’t matter if it came before or after a hypothetical Texas TD, the math isn’t on your side.
I really can't figure out why you won't just enjoy your trophy and leave us alone.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
Most Troll-tastic Comment of the Day
That proved once again that the only reason you scored those 2 second half TDs was because Bama allowed them. It was a way to milk the clock to minimize your embarrassment.
I can’t believe you followed this ridiculous dribble by telling others not to delude themselves.
by Wells on Jan 11, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Well said
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Thems the facts bud, deal with it. The gameplan changed completely when McCoy went out. Saban did not want to run up the score and he was going into the second half with a 24-6 lead against an impotent offense and a defense that just got mowed down by Bama’s young backfield. I can prove that he put in backups in teh third quarter, and he didn’t even bother to double-team Texas’ only remaining offensive threat (Shipley).
Notice that Bama didn’t try a FG at the 37 even though Tiffin has hit from that distance before? They punted the ball to puch Texas back and to run more time off the clock.
I am guessing Saban...
Did not allow TX to score to milk the clock. That mindset would get you fired at the Jr. High level…use dem dare brain cells ya got me?
"Stats are for losers. I like winning games." - Will Muschamp
"Somebody will always break your records. It is how you live that counts." - Earl Campbell
by Mulliganville on Jan 11, 2010 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
I suggest you go write a fanpost at RBR
And see if their more knowledgeable members agree with you (hint: They won’t). To say that Saban “allowed” two touchdowns, when he was in real danger of losing the game, is ridiculously stupid.
by TheElusiveShadow on Jan 11, 2010 8:01 PM CST up reply actions
All of the Championship articles are cross-threaded..
I imagine y’all see all of the RBR topics as well..
It is true that we were swapping out defenders throughout the entire second half, but that was part of our game plan to play at a speed level higher than usual throughout the game.
(Did the speed with which the players played surprise any of you? Particularly at the very beginning; both teams were moving extremely quickly..)
The first TD (44 yards) McClain came in on a delayed blitz after a corner had already blitzed from the right side (if memory serves). Had McClain stayed in his spot or dropped back to cover (it looked like cover 2) he MAY have had a chance to defend the ball. It was a defensive mistake, but our defense was prone to mistakes when playing aggressively, which we were.. our defense was not laying back at all, but our offense did continually make mistakes during the 3rd quarter.
The second TD (25+ yards) was a blown coverage by the Safety/CB who apparently was playing zone but had no help behind him. In the replay you see him grab his helmet as if he made a tremendous blunder (everyone makes mistakes) so I think he realized his error just as he turned his head.
I don’t think Bama’s Defensive scheme allows for double covering a single receiver all over the field, particularly in crossing routes. Remember that one of your coordinators is a close friend (and played football at GA with our DC Kirby Smart) ; Muschamp?
Your coaches were going to find a tendency or a seam somewhere before the night was out..
Is that the same as...
Why Alabama scored the last TD when Alabama could have kneeled out the clock at 31-21, but Alabama didn’t want to be embarrassed by having the score be so close.
I am not deluding myself. I was merely reflecting on my experience at the game.
You know, I genuinely liked about 95% of the Alabama fans I interacted with last week. At the airport, at the game, the hotel, almost all of you were cordial, respectful, and genuinly good people.
You are not one of these people.
I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.
by 16thLonghorn on Jan 11, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
The odds this gent attended Alabama stand at 0%.
Alabama, like other English speaking political geographies, uses quote marks to denote quotations instead of bloody equal signs. Why he thinks anyone would take him seriously is a mystery.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Jan 11, 2010 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'ma guess... Aggie.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
It would explain much
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Jan 12, 2010 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
And leave you to your delusions?
I think others reading this forum should be privy to a countering viewpoint.
We've heard plenty of other viewpoints
From respectful Bama fans who’ve come over to express how sorry they are about the way things shook out. We in turn congratulated them on the win. It’s tough to congratulate someone who’s writing the kinds of things you are, though. Gotta love after-the-fact s*** talkers.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
It's not a pity party. If it is, why exactly is a supposed Bama fan in attendance?
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
I say that because you seem quite Aggie-esque
And, of course, you’re only a member of BON. Why not spew this drivel at RTR?
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
Careful, you're going to make her mad!
I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.
by 16thLonghorn on Jan 11, 2010 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
rrrriiiigggghhhhttttt
account created yesterday…without a membership at RBR. Hmmmm…through thoughtful cognitive analysis, you are full of garbagio.
"Stats are for losers. I like winning games." - Will Muschamp
"Somebody will always break your records. It is how you live that counts." - Earl Campbell
by Mulliganville on Jan 11, 2010 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
It won't stop unless we cut off its oxygen.
Don’t reply and the troll with wither and blow away.
41-38 !!
You're right - I apologize for continuing
It was hard to ignore!
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
If I can make one thing clear.
Let’s say with Colt, atleast 10-0 lead. int returned before half wouldn’t have happened. When Texas scored 15 straight points to pull within 3 with a freshman with little experience. Colt would have atleast done similar. The difference. While Gillbert got the team to within 3. Colts would have put the game out of reach for Alabama. And that’s not a reach at all.
the fallout
As a Bama fan, I wanted to speak for the many of us who would have much rather seen the game with McCoy in there, healthy. I too felt like an epic game was going to unfold, coming down to the end. It simply wasn’t meant to be. I will always be curious how the Bama offense would have adjusted to the smothering coverage the ‘Horns were dishing out. Likewise, I wanted to enjoy the chess game between McCoy and the D. So yeah, I’ll say it, I feel cheated too. What would the 3rd quarter have been like without Bama just milking the clock and playing it safe? It dawned on me that that was exactly what the coaching staff was doing, and rightfully so. That was the game I looked forward to for a month, and I didn’t get it. By the way, that Gilbert kid grew up in a hurry. Just ask returning starters in the SEC who looked feeble in their showings. Roll Tide and Hook ’em Horns
Come on SC...can't you see we're trying to be angry around here?!
Say something dumb so we can be all indignant and junk!!
It woulda/coulda/shoulda been a great game. Congrats on the win. We know how great it feels!
41-38 !!
Thanks but...
What would the 3rd quarter have been like without Bama just milking the clock and playing it safe?
Bama’s first drive of the 3rd quarter lasted less than 2 minutes and resulted in a punt. Same with their second. Their third drive was 2:19. Maybe you could give our D some credit to that end, rather than assuming it was all part of your team’s plan?
But thanks for the nice comments, sincerely. And congrats on a hard-earned and deserved win.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 11, 2010 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
Easy there killer!
Not to ruffle any feathers, but the play calling in the third quarter was as vanilla as I had seen since Mike Shula. Hell, even my wife knew what was coming. All credit to the Texas D, they knew what was coming and stopped it cold, Muschamp made great adjustments at the half. That goes back to the what-ifs though un reference to McCoy, Muschamp cut his teeth from Saban, and adjustments are what make them special coaches.
they knew what was coming...
was there something else Bama could do better? If you’d opened up the offense a little, I don’t think it would have helped you as much as it would us – just based on the times you tried that.
Bottom line – you can describe the 3 and out offense as “milking the clock” all you want, but it did not do even a good job of that. A few first downs would have burned a lot more clock. Maybe, just maybe, that non-SEC defense Texas threw at you was kinda good?
In the end, the game came down to massively destructive turnovers – the kind true freshmen so often make. And Bama made the plays they had to make. There’s no asterisk – the Tide are and always will be the champions, and congratulations to them. Pretending that it didn’t make a huge difference in the outcome that one team lost a QB responsible for about 90% of the offense is just silly. Almost as silly as calling a quarter and a half of smothering defense just an attempt to “milk the clock”…
It is what it is. We’ll live with our coulda-shouldas, but most of us know that injuries are part of the game, just like lucky bounces. I’m with billyzane on his post – it doesn’t matter how many times we’d win if we played 100 times, we just got that one reality, and in that one the Tide wins. Congratulations to everybody except dartx, who’s probably an aggie and trying to live vicariously through someone who didn’t get embarrassed in their bowl game.
My only problem with Bama is they’ve got a douche for a coach, based on his decision to go for the score up 10 with 47 seconds left…
He did that for Joe Willie Namath!!
Who got robbed of a TD against y’all in the Orange Bowl in ’65!!
(See, our mascot’s an elephant, so we get away with long memories!!)
;-)
I'm just curious
What is with the double mascots? Elephant and Crimson Tide? I bet there’s a good story there
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
Maybe it's a state of Alabama thing?
Auburn is the Tigers but they also have the War Eagle.
I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.
by 16thLonghorn on Jan 12, 2010 8:32 AM CST up reply actions
How do you dress up as a Crimson Time?
Maybe the Elephant costume was on sale and they just went with it?
I read somewhere
that the elephant mascot has something to do with the enormous linemen they had back in the ’30s.
What Saban does in the offseason?
He posts on Texas blogs with the user name dartx.
dartx
i have never seen someone so butthurt by the opposing team’s blog. Why do you care so much what TEXAS fans are saying on a TEXAS blog? Of course we feel that the game would have been different if the leader of our team was playing.
Insecure much? Why do you care about persuading Texas fans so much?
Go enjoy the win, you guys earned it and deserve it.
We’re moving on to enjoy our #1 ranked bball team and the upcoming tournament. You guys can talk about this victory till next September while we’re trying to win other championships in other sports.
HOOK ’EM.
Texas vs Alabama
As a lifelong Alabama fan & alumni, I had great hopes for a classic game for the ages between two great football teams. Instead, Colt got taken out by an ordinary (but solid) hit that even Colt admitted he had taken many times before. My heart sank when that happened to Colt. I have always liked Colt and he is a class act through and through. He deserved to be in this game, but fate handed him a bad deal.
You see, I wanted Texas to be at their best, so that if Alabama won, there could be no excuses by either side.
What I am trying to say is this win just does not taste as sweet as it could be if Colt had not been injured. Of course, If Colt had played the entire game, Texas might have won. They were looking good until the injury. Unfortunately, we will never know what could have been. I wish Colt a speedy recovery and I hope he has the opportunity to play in the NFL.
The Longhorns future looks bright, maybe our teams will meet again.
Welcome to BON
and we appreciate the sentiment. Just wish your brethren coming ’round these parts felt the same. The answer is always somewhere in the middle. We just hate it for Colt as he has been the foundation of this team for four years. A tough pill to swallow for sure. He will rebound and make a mint playing in the NFL. The guy is a real winner. Good luck to you.
"We don't freestyle Texas Fight, big boy." - Coach Brown
Thanks!
Finishing second in volleyball, baseball, and football in one season hurts. Maybe we can win a bball championship? :)
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 8:15 AM CST up reply actions
This was a strange season
and possibly the strangest part is that here at the end, rather than looking ahead to the possibilities of next year like I usually am at this time, I feel guilty. I feel guilty that as a fan I have next year to look forward to, but Colt doesn’t. I hope he finally gets his shot at a championship someday in the NFL.
Definitely a strange season.
Just look at the spill that powerhouses like USC and OU took. I guess, even though the Rose Bowl had a sh*tty and unacceptable outcome, we still aren’t as bad off as a lot of schools.
Also, if you’d have told me a few years ago that Colt would have been this successful, I’d never have believed it.
To DARTX
I first want to congratulate you on winning the NC. However, I am tired of hearing the excuse of Saban "taking his foot off the gas". All of you guys know that is not his style; if he was taking his foot off the gas then why would he score a meaningless touchdown at the end when the game was out of reach? The truth of the matter is that Saban, being the worrier he is, went for another touchdown just to calm his nerves even though the game was over. Texas simply made adustments at the half and though the D still gave up yards, they were not going to allow the running game to beat them. Think about it, Bama’s only scoring opportunity for 28 minutes of the second half, before Gilbert’s last three turnovers, was a fieldgoal attempt that went just to the left. I have exhausted myself thinking about how Colt would have lit Bama-up if he had been cleared or able to return. If Texas had better prepared their backups for big games, this would have been a different story. Observing what Gilbert was able to do with the lack of experience he possessed said alot about this team and what it is capable of doing with experience at the QB position. All the talk of Bama’s D was overrated. Watching their gameplan unfold, revealed to me that they were no better than the defenses we faced in conference and non-conference. They could not get any pressure on the QB with their interior DL’s, and if you go back and look at Texas’ season, the only teams that gave us trouble and kept the game close were teams that rushed only their DL’s and dropped seven in coverage (OU, Neb. and TTech in 08). With the exception of two plays, Bama couldn’t get to the QB (1. batted arm in first half/2. sack and fumble at the end). In the end, Garrett’s inexperience proved to be the dominate deciding factor in the loss(4 int./1 fumb.). So, congrats again and wipe the sweat from your brow because all of you know you escaped that game, not won.
DARTX
One more thing for you sir. You keep talking about McElroy’s broken ribs, but he was in the same condition when he played lights-out against Florida, after a month of rest, you don’t think his ribs were better than they were when he played Florida? So the excuse of broken ribs is moot. Then you say Ingram was cramping, but Richardson and Upchurch are just as good as Ingram; as a matter of fact, Richardson had more yards per carry and the most impressive run for a touchdown, Ingram just punched it in from the 3 on both touchdowns. The truth of the matter is the Texas D shut the passing game down and after the adjustments at the half, they stopped the running game too. It’s just unfortunate for us that the one thing we could not overcome was Garrett’s inexperience. I won’t use Colt’s absence as an excuse since an inexperienced QB had the chance to possibly win the game after what many of you thought was going to be an embarrassing blow-out.
Finally I know who DartX is!
I looked up his registration and its NICK SABAN! This explains everything
one more thing
to dartx: you can reason all you want and try to justifiy ’bama’s championship but pretty much anyone who watched the game (outside of alabama) knows that if McCoy played the game, Texas wins that game, period.
so just go away and enjoy your asterik championship
last time I checked
Colt McCoy didn’t play defense.
He wouldn’t have been on the field when texas’ defense was getting ripped off-tackle time and time again.
I think people who claim McCoy’s injury was ‘tragic’ or the game was a ‘tragedy’ have never really experienced true tragedy in their lives. A kid was injured after a few plays and missed playing in the rest of a football game; big f*cking deal. Go tell the spouse of a soldier who died in Afghanistan or Iraq about this ‘tragedy’; some of you people really need to get a grip on reality.
I would argue that after the last second being added to the clock in the Nebraska game, this wasn’t a ‘tragedy’, this was karma.
I've been fuelin' my dreams eatin' greens and beans.
by 16thLonghorn on Jan 12, 2010 7:07 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, Aggies
Obviously we’re not comparing the ‘tragic’ nature of the outcome of this game to losing a loved one in a war.
The last second wasn’t added to the clock, it was RE-added since it was supposed to be there. Don’t act like that was an act of charity by the officiating crew.
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 8:18 AM CST up reply actions
As a reminder for all who might have missed the FanPost over the weekend . . .
. . . this is the same pathetic soul who managed to type out these words over weekend:
One-Hit McCoy, Sissyboy McCoy, all are apt descriptions of McCoy after Thursday night.
Karma will get you one day . . . if it hasn’t already.
"Texas played without its best player for nearly 56 minutes. There's an asterisk." -- Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com
by Hopkins Horn on Jan 12, 2010 8:41 AM CST up reply actions
Aggies... they're just bad people. So bitter!
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 8:44 AM CST up reply actions
beergut
ok, nobody is comparing losing a spouse to colt not being in the game, stop being so daft.
secondly, if colt was in the game, there would have been less turnovers, hence less scoring opportunities for Alabama. I know you’re just blinded by Texas’s greatness so i can see why you fail to see that..
Aggie syndrome
I hear they are adding that to the DSM-IV to classify it as an actual mental disorder
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 8:20 AM CST up reply actions
first fo all
I’m not the one calling Colt’s inability to play ‘tragic’; people on here are.
There is no way you can know if there wouyld be less turnovers; I can just as easily claim there would be MORE turnovers, b/c McCoy wasn’t able to handle the physical nature of the Alabama defense like Gilbert was, and would have been more prone to fumbling on sacks.
You're not calling it "tragic" . . .
. . . but you’re calling him a “sissyboy.” Much worse, you pathetic toad-in-a-wifebeater.
"Texas played without its best player for nearly 56 minutes. There's an asterisk." -- Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com
by Hopkins Horn on Jan 12, 2010 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
I heard that Maple Street Press
has to print a special aggies edition with everything spelled phonetically.
Wow
I feel like this post had great potential to be a sort of “letting the dust settle” quality and get something real out of the discussion as opposed to the s*&@#storm of the past week. Kudos to folks like PB and Kleph for rolling with that. Too bad certain idiot trolls COUGHCOUGHDARTXCOUGHCOUGH had to ramp up the suckometer on here.
I will say as one Bama fan that while I fully believe we still would have won with Colt in, there’s no more way to know that than there is for Texas fans to know Texas would have won. I absolutely admit the game would have been different, but who knows how it would have turned out? I hope we can meet again soon and give each other our best all around. Texas fans were awesome out in Pasadena, and I would definitely look forward to seeing more Texas ladies in chaps while tailgating!
Thanks -- the last paragraph sums it up nicely
Especially the part about the chaps.
"Texas played without its best player for nearly 56 minutes. There's an asterisk." -- Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com
by Hopkins Horn on Jan 12, 2010 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks
"If you think you can be stopped, this isn't the place for you."
by austintexasbaby on Jan 12, 2010 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
rwarren11
i dont begrudge OU fans for feeling that way..but Bradford wasn’t 100% and his back up QB had played the 3 games previously.
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