Alabama vs. Texas

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Alabama vs. Texas
January 7, 2010

The Rose Bowl will be filled with burnt orange and deep crimson tonight when Texas and Alabama collide for the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena. Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Crimson Tide as a four-point favorite with a total of 45.

Those opening numbers were released on Dec. 6. The initial betting surge was on Alabama, prompting books to move the number to five and as high as 5 ? at some spots. However, by Dec. 19, most betting shops were down to 4 ?. As of Wednesday night, most books had ?Bama at four with the total slightly increased to 45 ? or 46.

Gamblers can back Texas (13-0 straight up, 5-7-1 against the spread) on the money line for a plus-160 payout (risk $100 to win $160).

Alabama (13-0 SU, 8-5 ATS) is coming off its best performance of the season, a 32-13 demolition of previously-unbeaten and top-ranked Florida at the Georgia Dome. The Tide spanked the Gators as a 4 ?-point underdog, avenging last season?s 31-20 loss in the SEC Championship Game. Nick Saban?s team hooked up money-line backers with a plus-170 return (paid $170 on $100 wagers).

Mark Ingram, who won the Heisman Trophy a week later, was the catalyst against UF. Ingram rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. He also had a pair of receptions for 76 yards, including a huge 69-yard gainer on a screen pass that completely swung the momentum back into ?Bama?s favor after Florida had cut the deficit to 12-10 in the second quarter.

Junior quarterback Greg McElroy completed 12-of-18 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown. Most importantly, he didn?t commit a turnover. Marquis Maze also had a big night, hauling in five catches for 96 yards.

While Alabama was cruising to the SEC title in Atlanta, Texas was scratching and clawing to get past Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game later that night. The Longhorns captured a 13-12 win thanks to Hunter Lawrence?s 46-yard field goal as time expired.

The win didn?t come without controversy, however. On the play before Lawrence?s winning boot, Colt McCoy inexplicably rolled out to his right and threw an incomplete pass that took entirely too long. In fact, the clock ran out and the Cornhuskers began to rush the field to celebrate.

But the officials (or the powers-that-be for the BCS?) decided to put one more tick back on the clock. And that was all Texas and Lawrence would need. Nevertheless, Nebraska backers easily cashed tickets catching 14 points and we nearly saw a stunning upset like the one the ?Horns gave the ?Huskers at the same game back in 1996 (we Gators remember that contest fondly, and here?s another tip of the cap to former Texas QB James Brown for his play on that day).

Not only did McCoy?s decision making at crunch time look shaky against Nebraska, but his play was extremely mediocre as well. He connected on 20-of-36 throws for 186 yards but was intercepted three times and didn?t have a TD toss. On the flip side, Mack Brown?s defense was nothing short of sensational, limiting Nebraska to merely 106 yards of total offense.

But McCoy?s struggles at Cowboys Stadium were a surprise. In fact, he rarely has a hard time against opposing defenses. Though the senior signal caller hasn?t put up the monster numbers he produced in 2008, he hasn?t been too shabby. McCoy has connected on 70.5 percent of his passes for 3,512 yards with a 27/12 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Senior wide receiver Jordan Shipley is McCoy?s favorite target. Shipley has 106 receptions for 1,363 yards and 11 touchdowns. He?ll square off against Alabama?s Javier Arenas, who is one of the SEC premier cover corners.

McElroy?s job is to take care of the football first and foremost. With the Tide?s power running game and outstanding defense, he doesn?t need to produce big numbers. With that said, his most important stat ? a 17/4 TD-INT ratio ? is one of the best in the country. McElroy has completed 61.1 percent of his attempts for 2,450 passing yards.

For the season, Ingram rushed 249 times for 1,542 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. His back-up, freshman Trent Richardson, is a big-time player as well. Richardson has six rushing TDs and a 5.1 YPC average.

Julio Jones is McElroy?s favorite wideout and he comes into this game healthier than he?s been all season. Jones has 42 catches for 573 yards and four touchdowns, but those stats don?t do justice to the type of talent he is because of the focus opposing secondary?s give him.

During Brown?s tenure in Austin, Texas has been an underdog just 16 times. The Longhorns own an 11-5 spread record in those situations. As for Alabama, it has a 7-1 ATS mark in its last eight games as a single-digit ?chalk.?

Alabama is playing for the national title for the first time since 1992, when it trounced Miami 34-13 at the Sugar Bowl. Yeah, it?s been a long 17 years in Tuscaloosa, where football is king and nothing else matters.

Texas won the BCS Championship Game at this same venue in 2005 in one of the greatest college football games ever played. Vince Young carried the Longhorns to a 41-38 win over USC as seven-point underdogs. Young scored on a fourth-and-goal scramble in the final seconds. Just the season before, Brown?s team won a 38-37 decision against Michigan thanks to Young?s brilliant play. In the 2004 Rose Bowl, however, the ?Horns failed to cover the number as 7 ?-point favorites.

Totals have been a wash for Alabama (6-6-1) in 2009, but we should note that the Tide has seen the ?under? go 5-2-1 in its last eight games. Meanwhile, Texas has watched the ?under? post a 7-6 overall record. However, the ?over? is 3-1 in the Longhorns? last four outings.

Sportsbook.com has a slew of proposition bets available for gamblers. For instance, there are odds for who will win MVP honors. McCoy is the plus-200 favorite, while Ingram has plus-250 odds (risk $100 to win $250). McElroy?s number is plus-600, while Jones and Shipley share plus-800 odds (risk $100 to win $800).

Bettors can also wager on Ingram?s total TDs scored. The odds for the only Heisman winner in Alabama history to be kept out of the end zone are plus-150 (risk $100 to win $150). For one TD, Ingram?s odds are plus-125. The other numbers are as follows: two TDs (+275), three TDs (+800) and four TDs or more (plus-2000, paid $2,000 on $100 bets).

Sportsbook.com is also offering adjusted lines with varying odds. For example, if you're thinking Alabama is going to win handily, you have two different wagers that are paying generous dollars. With the line 'Bama minus 10 1/2, a plus-205 payout can be attained (risk $100 to win $205). For the Tide laying 14 1/2 points, the return is plus-250.

On the other hand, you can go with Texas as the favorite by 3 1/2 points for a plus-220 payout. With the 'Horns favored by 7 1/2, the odds are plus-350 (risk $100 to win $350).

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

--The SEC is gunning for its fourth consecutive national championship. Florida, LSU and Florida (again) won it all in 2006, ?07 and ?08.

--Alabama is 4-1-1 in six Rose Bowl appearances, but the Tide hasn?t played in this game since 1946.

--Joker Phillips was introduced as Kentucky?s new head football coach Wednesday. Phillips becomes the second African-American head football coach in SEC history. Sylvester Croom was the first at Mississippi St. from 2004-2008.

--Florida juniors Joe Haden and Aaron Hernandez have announced that they will leave school early for the NFL Draft.

--Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Alabama is back on top of the college football world.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

The Tide is High

The Tide is High

The Tide is High
January 7, 2010

2010 BCS National Championship Odds and Betting Lines

Going by current BCS National Championship odds and betting lines in most sports book around the world, the Texas Longhorns appear to be gaining steam as they prepare to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in Thursday?s BCS National Championship Game.

In early December, the ?Horns were getting as many as six points at a few online books. Now you?ll be hard-pressed to find +4.5.

At Bodog, we opened the betting at Texas +5 but have since moved to +4.

The big knock on the Longhorns all season long has been their easy schedule, or so everyone thought it was easy. When Texas barely escaped Nebraska in the Big 12 title game, people grew even warier.

Of course, Nebraska beat Arizona 33-0 in the Holiday Bowl, a game that featured the Huskers holding the Wildcats to 109 total yards. Maybe, people could be tempted to think, a one-point win over Nebraska is pretty good after all.

Alabama backers probably don?t buy that argument though. As far as impressive wins go, not many could be as impressive as the one the Crimson Tide got over Florida, 32-13, in the SEC title game. (Just ask Cincinnati how good Tim Tebow and company are.)

Perhaps the most interesting betting number for the BCS National Championship Game isn?t even the point spread. What about the total?

This game pits two of the top defenses in the nation against each other. Alabama led all schools by surrendering just 11.0 points per game while Texas finished tops in run defense, allowing a ridiculous 2.0 yards per carry.

At the same time, both teams know how to score. The Longhorns averaged 40.7 points per game ? tied for third with TCU, behind only Boise State and Houston ? while the Tide features the Heisman Trophy winner, running back Mark Ingram, in the backfield.

Nobody would be shocked if this game finished 13-10, nor would they be shocked if the score was 35-28.

Most online sportsbooks have settled on 45 as the over/under, though it?s worthwhile to shop around to find the best number.

A quick note on the college bowl season to date: Business has been good for Bodog, even if some of the games haven?t lived up to the betting interest in them.

Here?s hoping for a classic in the BCS National Championship Game.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Demeanor: Tide serious, Longhorns giddy

Demeanor: Tide serious, Longhorns giddy

Demeanor: Tide serious, Longhorns giddy
January 6, 2010

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Alabama coach Nick Saban showed up to media day for the BCS championship game wearing a cream-colored suit and a tie with diagonal stripes. Texas coach Mack Brown appeared in a burnt-orange, short-sleeved polo shirt with a big ol' Longhorn logo on it.

Saban got up and left when the horn went off indicating his 60 minutes were done. Brown lingered, spinning a few more stories, shaking a few more hands.

Crimson Tide players talked about being on a business trip. Longhorns players went around interviewing each other and goofing off while taking pictures with the BCS trophy.

Over back-to-back sessions in the same ballroom Tuesday, the difference in demeanor between No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Texas was easy to spot.

Whether it will mean anything Thursday night is hard to say, especially considering both coaches have won national titles in recent years.

But it's clear that any breakdown of this matchup needs to include serious vs. giddy alongside things like SEC vs. Big 12 and smashmouth offense vs. spread offense.

``I think Coach Brown said it best: 'We need to come in here and have fun and do what we've been doing all year. Don't make it any bigger than it is,''' Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy said. ``That's kind of my mentality and our team's mentality.

``When we're out there focused and having fun, that's when we're playing to the best of our ability,'' McCoy continued. ``That's exactly what we need to do headed into this game, because we are focused, we are prepared.''

Maybe the Longhorns can relax because McCoy and nine other players have been here before.

While none played in the 2006 Rose Bowl that determined the national championship, they were all watching from the sideline as Vince Young wiped out a late deficit to pull off an upset of No. 1 Southern Cal.

Young persuaded Brown to loosen up throughout that '05 season. Considering how things turned out, it makes sense that he's stuck with a carpe diem approach.

So, actually, his casual approach is just another day at the office. He's handling things in California the same way he does in Austin, all in hopes that players approach the biggest game of their lives as if it's just No. 14 on their schedule.

``Coach Brown just wants to make sure that everybody knows that we don't have to do anything other than what we've been doing every week,'' wide receiver Jordan Shipley said. ``Just go out and play football.''

Then again, the same can be said for Alabama.

Saban is all-business and proud of it, treating the media session as nothing more than the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. slot on his agenda.

``At this point, it's almost like getting on a flight,'' he said. ``It takes a long time to board and check your bags and all that kind of stuff, but now we're ready to take off. You've got to go through your checklist and make sure you get it right and do it right and get ready to go out there and play your best game of the year.''

Several times this week, Saban has talked to his team about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, the ``Miracle on Ice'' squad.

Considering the Tide is favored, his message could be to avoid the fate of the Soviet Union team that was upset. Instead, it's been about coming together like that group of unheralded Americans at Lake Placid.

``He's been talking about that movie and that team a lot this week to make sure that we're staying focused on this goal of what we need to do,'' linebacker Cory Reamer said, ``and not straying too far away from it with all the distractions that we have around us.''

But is Saban having any fun?

``I think he's enjoying his work,'' Reamer said. ``I think he's enjoying the process and the fact that we're here playing for this big of a game. He's enjoying preparing and getting the team ready for it. I'm sure he'll have a lot of fun afterward when we win.''

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Saban: McClain should be ready for game

Saban: McClain should be ready for game

Saban: McClain should be ready for game
January 6, 2010

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Alabama coach Nick Saban expects All-American linebacker Rolando McClain to be ready for the BCS championship game against Texas.

Saban said McClain and backup defensive back Rod Woodson were both feeling better Wednesday after being limited in practice the previous day with a stomach virus. He said he wouldn't let anybody play in Thursday night's game if he was sick or at risk for dehydration.

The Butkus Award-winning McClain was a no-show at media day Tuesday because of the ailment.

Saban said the focus now is on execution and keeping things simple for the players. He compared it to a baseball hitter going through his normal routine even with the game on the line and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Texas coach Mack Brown arrived as Saban was finishing, then the pair posed for photos with the BCS trophy. They also exchanged gifts, with Saban handing over a large gift basket and a cooler full of food from Tuscaloosa's Dreamland Bar-B-Que, and Brown offering a pair of spurs.

Then Brown shared stories about the way his team has come together and the similarities between this group and the one that won the national championship in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

While the folksy Brown seems an opposite to his businesslike counterpart Saban, Brown said, ``in truth, there are probably a lot more similarities than differences.''

As for his final preparations, Brown said his evening was based around watching Troy and Central Michigan play in the GMAC Bowl.

``I'm pumped,'' he said, smiling.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

'Bama and Texas: Blue bloods play for title

'Bama and Texas: Blue bloods play for title

'Bama and Texas: Blue bloods play for title
January 6, 2010

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Nick Saban gave Mack Brown a cooler full of Alabama's favorite, Dreamland Bar-B-Que. Brown presented Saban with a pair of genuine Texas spurs.

A quaint gesture, and a great photo op.

But the big prize - the one they really want - is that crystal trophy Brown and Saban posed with Wednesday, and it goes to the winner of the BCS national title game.

The undefeated Crimson Tide and Longhorns will each try to add another championship to their considerable pedigrees Thursday, a meeting that will pit All-American quarterback Colt McCoy of Texas against the player who beat him for the Heisman Trophy, running back Mark Ingram of Alabama.

``When you start with 120 teams and it's down to two, that's about 12,000 players,'' Brown said. ``It's a great honor for your players and your coaches to be in this game.''

This is a matchup of two old-line programs from Southern states - Roll Tide vs. Hook 'em Horns - where football, on many days, is bigger than life.

Saban, in his third year in Tuscaloosa, is aiming to bring the first championship to Alabama since 1992, when Gene Stallings - a protege of the late, great Bear Bryant - roamed the sidelines.

``We have a tremendous amount of respect for the tradition and the passion that our fans have,'' Saban said.

But, he said, tradition doesn't win ball games, and early in his tenure Saban even bristled against the so-called ``culture of expectations'' that surrounds most everything involved with Alabama football.

Since then, he has tried to ignore the hype and has gone about doing what he did six years ago when he led LSU to the BCS title: recruiting top prospects, coaching them up, trying to turn them into good players, students and citizens.

``The rest of it really doesn't affect that,'' Saban insisted.

In keeping with the tenor of the week, Brown was much more chit-chatty and loose than his counterpart during his portion of a coaches news conference sandwiched around the photo session. He described growing up in a small town in Tennessee and being as big a Bryant fan as anyone.

Now, he's at Texas. Once derisively known as ``Coach February'' - the guy who could recruit all the talent in February but never cash in on it come January - Brown has won seven of his last eight bowl games, led the Longhorns (13-0) to one national title and can easily be mentioned in the same breath as their legendary coach, Darrell Royal.

Royal, 85, and the Bear, who died in 1983, were good friends - in fact, Royal showed Bryant how to run the wishbone - though the two rarely met on opposite sidelines. Texas is 7-0-1 all-time against Alabama, with the last meeting a 14-12 win in the 1982 Cotton Bowl, five years after Royal had retired with 184 wins.

``Coach Royal is still alive and has things named after him,'' Brown said. ``I think Coach Bryant still walks the halls at Tuscaloosa, and he has things named after him. But everyone that sees that 'A' and sees the Longhorn knows the programs, and that's what makes this game so special.''

Brown continued with a theme he's been building on all month - that the two best teams are meeting at the Rose Bowl and a true national champion will come out of the game.

It was a legitimate debate five weeks ago when the BCS pairings came out and there were five undefeated teams - Alabama, Texas, Cincinnati, TCU and Boise State. Since then, Cincinnati got blown out 51-24 by Florida in the Sugar Bowl and TCU lost 17-10 to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. It leaves the Broncos in Idaho as the only team with an argument - one they undoubtedly will not win.

Alabama (13-0) comes into the game as a 3 1/2-point favorite, in part because the Tide was so much more impressive than Texas in its last game.

Led by Ingram on offense and a stifling defense anchored by 350-pound defensive lineman Terrence Cody, the Tide shut down Tim Tebow of Florida in a 32-13 crushing of the Gators in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Texas, meanwhile, beat Nebraska 13-12 in the Big 12 championship game, and only after officials put 1 second back on the clock following a pass McCoy threw out of bounds. That allowed Hunter Lawrence to kick the winning field goal, even though McCoy's sloppy game management at the end nearly cost Texas a chance to win it all.

``I was sitting there, shocked, because Colt was clearly letting it get down too far,'' said ABC's Brent Musburger, who called the Big 12 game and is in the booth again Thursday night. ``That's a big part of this game, obviously, because if he doesn't get that second put back on there, they're not here.''

That game - and that day - essentially sealed the Heisman race. McCoy threw for 184 yards and three interceptions and got sacked nine times. Ingram ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns to become Alabama's first Heisman winner.

Which sets up a very similar scenario as the last time Texas played at the Rose Bowl.

Back then, it was the Longhorns against Southern California in the weeks after Texas quarterback Vince Young lost the Heisman to USC's Reggie Bush.

``They weren't showing us no kind of respect at all, so we just kind of used that all as motivation until game-time came,'' said Young, who is expected to be on the sideline Thursday night.

Young had one of the best performances in college football history in a 41-38 win over USC - passing for 267 yards, running for 200 more and transforming himself into something more than just another great player to Texas fans, who have seen their share.

That's the kind of thing that can happen to a player who leads his team a national title in Texas or Alabama, two states where football and life intersect 365 days a year.

``They tend to maybe idolize people who play football here, even though we're just regular people,'' said Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin, whose dad, Van, kicked for Alabama in the '80s.

In Texas, too.

``You're under the microscope,'' said Longhorns left tackle Adam Ulatoski, who played at high school powerhouse Southlake Carroll near Fort Worth. ``But it's a little different when it's a town watching you and the state of Texas watching you. It's a little bit of pressure, but it's a whole lot of fun.''

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Texas-Alabama series at a glance

Texas-Alabama series at a glance

Texas-Alabama series at a glance
January 7, 2010

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) -The BCS championship game will be the ninth meeting between Texas and Alabama. The Longhorns lead the series 7-0-1. Here's a game-by-game look at their history:

1982 - No. 6 Texas 14, No. 3 Alabama 12 (Cotton Bowl)

1973 - No. 7 Texas 17, No. 4 Alabama 13 (Cotton Bowl)

1965 - No. 5 Texas 21, No. 1 Alabama 17 (Orange Bowl)

1960 - Texas 3, No. 9 Alabama 3 (Bluebonnet Bowl)

1948 - No. 5 Texas 27, No. 6 Alabama 7 (Sugar Bowl)

1922 - Texas 19, Alabama 10 (in Austin)

1915 - Texas 20, Alabama 0 (in Austin)

1902 - Texas 10, Alabama 0 (in Tuscaloosa)

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Matchup Analysis

Matchup Analysis

Matchup Analysis

Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) (5-0 H) vs Texas Longhorns (4-0) (2-0 A)

Game Time: 8:10 p.m. EDT Thursday, January 7

Stadium: Rose Bowl Surface: Grass

RECORD ANALYSIS
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
Texas Longhorns HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL

Year-to-Date 7 - 0 6 - 0 13 - 0 2 - 4 3 - 3 5 - 7 1 - 3 3 - 2 4 - 5
Last 5 games 2 - 0 3 - 0 5 - 0 1 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 3 0 - 0 2 - 1 2 - 1
YTD vs. Conf. 4 - 0 5 - 0 9 - 0 1 - 2 3 - 2 4 - 4 0 - 3 3 - 2 3 - 5
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
Alabama Crimson Tide HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
Year-to-Date 8 - 0 5 - 0 13 - 0 4 - 3 4 - 1 8 - 4 2 - 4 2 - 3 4 - 7
Last 5 games 2 - 0 3 - 0 5 - 0 1 - 0 2 - 1 3 - 1 0 - 1 1 - 2 1 - 3
YTD vs. Conf. 4 - 0 5 - 0 9 - 0 2 - 2 4 - 1 6 - 3 0 - 4 2 - 3 2 - 7
AWAY VS. SPREAD HOME VS. SPREAD
Year-to-Date FAV DOG GRASS TURF FAV DOG GRASS TURF
Texas Longhorns 3 - 3 0 - 0 2 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 4 0 - 0 2 - 4 0 - 0
Alabama Crimson Tide 3 - 1 1 - 0 4 - 1 0 - 0 4 - 3 0 - 0 4 - 3 0 - 0

TEAM LOGS/SCHEDULE:
( * = overtime)

Texas Longhorns
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/05/09 Sat NELA 59 - 20 W -38 -44.5 L -5.5 NL NL G
09/12/09 Sat @WY 41 - 10 W -31 -31.5 L -0.5 NL NL G
09/19/09 Sat TXTECH 34 - 24 W -17.5 -20 L -10 69.0 66.5 U -8.5 G
09/26/09 Sat TXEP 64 - 7 W -35 -36 W 21 64.0 63.5 O +- 7.5 G
10/10/09 Sat CO 38 - 14 W -32 -34 L -10 61.0 59.5 U -7.5 G
10/17/09 Sat OK 16 - 13 W -1.5 -3 L 0 50.0 53.5 U -24.5 G
10/24/09 Sat @MO 41 - 7 W -16.5 -13 W 21 52.0 50.5 U -2.5 G
10/31/09 Sat @OKST 41 - 14 W -8.5 -9 W 18 52.0 53.5 O +- 1.5 T
11/07/09 Sat CFL 35 - 3 W -36 -35.5 L -3.5 NL NL G
11/14/09 Sat @BAY 47 - 14 W -25 -23.5 W 9.5 50.0 52.0 O +- 9.0 G
11/21/09 Sat KS 51 - 20 W -28 -27.5 W 3.5 NL NL G
11/26/09 Thu @TXAM 49 - 39 W -21 -21 L -11 64.0 63.0 O +-25.0 G
12/05/09 Sat @NE 13 - 12 W -15.5 -14 L -13 48.5 46.5 U -21.5 T

Alabama Crimson Tide
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/05/09 Sat VATECH 34 - 24 W -4 -6.5 W 3.5 39.0 36.5 O +-21.5 G
09/12/09 Sat FLINTL 40 - 14 W -36 -33.5 L -7.5 NL NL G
09/19/09 Sat NTX 53 - 7 W -32 -37.5 W 8.5 50.0 50.0 O +-10.0 G
09/26/09 Sat AR 35 - 7 W -14.5 -18 W 10 57.0 56.0 U -14.0 G
10/03/09 Sat @KY 38 - 20 W -15 -16.5 W 1.5 47.5 47.0 O +-11.0 G
10/10/09 Sat @MS 22 - 3 W -4 -4 W 15 45.5 45.5 U -20.5 G
10/17/09 Sat SC 20 - 6 W -17 -18 L -4 44.0 43.0 U -17.0 G
10/24/09 Sat TN 12 - 10 W -17 -14 L -12 44.0 42.5 U -20.5 G
11/07/09 Sat LSU 24 - 15 W -10 -7.5 W 1.5 37.5 39.5 U -0.5 G
11/14/09 Sat @MSST 31 - 3 W -14 -12 W 16 41.5 43.5 U -9.5 G
11/21/09 Sat TC 45 - 0 W -0 -0 W 45 NL NL G
11/27/09 Fri @AUB 26 - 21 W -13 -10 L -5 46.0 47.5 U -0.5 G
12/05/09 Sat FL 32 - 13 W +5 +5 W 24 43.0 41.0 O +- 4.0 G

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY VIS SC HOM SC OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
NO PREVIOUS MEETINGS

STATISTICAL AVERAGES:

AWAY/HOME RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
TX (off) 38.7 23 37 159 4.3 37 24 0.6 246 6.6 405 0.8 0.5
AL (def) 10.4 13 28 59 2.1 32 15 0.5 162 5.1 221 1.0 0.4
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
TX (def) 16.0 15 35 93 2.7 33 18 0.5 175 5.3 268 2.2 0.5
AL (off) 32.9 22 42 228 5.4 26 16 0.6 203 7.8 431 0.6 0.6
ALL GAMES RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
TX (off) 40.7 24 37 153 4.1 38 27 0.7 280 7.4 433 0.9 0.8
AL (def) 11.0 13 28 79 2.8 31 15 0.5 164 5.3 243 1.5 0.5
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
TX (def) 15.2 15 31 62 2.0 34 19 0.6 189 5.6 251 1.8 0.8
AL (off) 31.7 21 42 216 5.1 26 16 0.6 198 7.6 414 0.4 0.5

SCORING AVERAGES:

Texas Longhorns (away) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 8.0 16.5 24.5 8.5 5.7 0.0 14.2
POINTS ALLOWED 2.2 6.3 8.5 0.5 7.0 0.0 7.5

Alabama Crimson Tide (home) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 8.4 9.1 17.5 5.5 9.9 0.0 15.4
POINTS ALLOWED 1.8 4.1 5.9 2.8 1.8 0.0 4.6

Texas Longhorns (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 7.8 14.9 22.7 9.2 8.7 0.0 17.9
POINTS ALLOWED 3.0 4.7 7.7 2.4 5.1 0.0 7.5

Alabama Crimson Tide (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 6.6 10.6 17.2 6.2 8.3 0.0 14.5
POINTS ALLOWED 2.8 3.3 6.1 3.0 1.8 0.0 4.8

VALUE INDEX COMPARISON TO LAS VEGAS LINE:

LV POINTSPREAD VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING LINE EDGE
Texas Longhorns 64 -3.0 7.5
Alabama Crimson Tide 57
LV OVER/UNDER VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING EDGE
OVER/UNDER 51 6.5 over

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

BCS Championship - For all the marbles

BCS Championship - For all the marbles

BCS Championship - For all the marbles

It hasn?t happened often, nonetheless, very little controversy about this year?s BCS championship game matchup. Certain precincts around the country have chimed in that maybe they deserved a shot at acquiring the hardware (that would Cincinnati, TCU and Boise State), however almost no argument these are the best two teams by all appearances, coming from power conferences.

Only one of the last five BCS Championship games has been decided by single digits. That game was also the last time the title contest was held in Pasadena. Texas is hoping for an encore performance of that magical night, a 41-38 upset of USC behind quarterback Vince Young.

It?s Colt McCoy?s turn now, as he plays his final game for the Longhorns. He is undefeated in bowl games, part of a five-game bowl winning streak for head coach Mack Brown?s club. Alabama hopes to make the SEC proud by giving the league its sixth title game SU and ATS victory versus no defeats. The Crimson Tide is just 3-5 SU and 2-6 ATS in their last eight bowl games, though. They opened as 5.5-point favorites and have since been bet down to four; nevertheless the chalk has won two straight title games, snapping a stretch of five straight upsets.

For these two storied programs, here are points to consider in determining the outright and spread winner.

No question Alabama is the deserving favorite, playing in the tougher conference and having better players at more positions among the 22 starters. The Crimson Tide has the ability to play the power or speed game, whatever is necessary. Bama averages 5.1 yards per carry against teams that allowed 4.3. Because coach Nick Saban really loves the running game, he uses the passing game to create balance and isn?t beyond shutting it down if his quarterback has issues with accuracy. Quarterback Greg McElroy came back from midseason slump and was outstanding against Florida and clutch in come from behind win over Auburn.

However, he?s not Colt McCoy, who is a more talented and a proven clutch performer. The one lasting image in people?s minds is McCoy being thrown about like rag doll by Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the Nebraska defense. Don?t expect a similar performance from Texas this time around, especially in the role of underdog.

While Alabama deserves every accolade showered on them, Texas was No.1 in run defense in the country at 61 yards per game allowed, which as stated is the Tide?s preferred method of moving the ball, setting up hellacious conflict.

For those that believe in the mystical power of numbers, the Crimson Tide will feature their Heisman Trophy running back Mark Ingram, which leads immediately to the curse of playing the on the country?s most decorated player. Since Archie Griffin won the trophy in back to back years in the mid-70?s, playing against winner of the award in a bowl game yields a 25-8-1 ATS record, 75.7 percent.

A common theme has emerged in the BCS Championship game and it absolutely cannot be ignored. Whether it is politics or troubled youths living in urban areas across the country, today?s society has people making a choice. There is no room for fence-sitters; you either are with one group or against, period. Mack Brown?s team is the underdog and they will have the benefit of listening to how good Alabama is and letting that stew for a long time.

As coach Saban stated the night the matchup became official on Dec. 5, ?Why does this game have to be about an underdog and favorite, why can?t it be a matchup of two really good teams and let the best one win??

While coach Saban is absolutely correct, it?s become un-American to think that way. In the last seven encounters of No. 1 vs. No. 2 for the BCS crown, the lower seed is 6-1 SU and ATS, with the lone exception being junior Matt Leinart and the 2004 USC team breaking the string.

Bookmaker.com has Alabama favored by four-points with total of 46 and money line of -175. The Crimson Tide are 9-1 ATS after a game where they forced one or less turnovers over the last two seasons and have not committed a turnover themselves in four games, are they due for a couple? Alabama is 11-3 UNDER after five or more consecutive straight up wins since last year.

Texas is in the rare position of being underdog and they have a long history of success at 27-13 ATS when placed in that position. The Longhorns are just the opposite of Bama on a hot streak and are 21-6 OVER after six or more consecutive straight up wins.

The oddsmakers are telling us Alabama wins 25-21, by the side and total numbers and that would be correct if McElroy can surpass the 230 yard passing barrier. Why that number, Texas figures to limit the Alabama rush game to an extent and the Tide is 5-1 ATS this season when they?ve thrown for 230 or more yards. Of the four closest games Texas played, in three of those games they conceded over 300 yards passing and was 0-2-1 ATS.

The key for Texas to win is the defense has to stop the run and get off the field. Here the magic number is 38 or less. Saban?s team is 1-3 ATS this season when they produced 38 rush attempts or less and 7-1 ATS when they reached 40 or more. Don?t let Bama hog the ball and Longhorns could win second BCS title in five years.

Power Line ? Texas by 3

Forecaster ? Texas covers

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Longhorns hold 7-0-1 lead over Alabama

Longhorns hold 7-0-1 lead over Alabama

Longhorns hold 7-0-1 lead over Alabama

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) -Of all the great feats Bear Bryant accomplished at Alabama, one thing he never did was beat Texas.

Heck, no Crimson Tide coach has.

Among the story lines going into the BCS championship game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Texas on Thursday night is whether the Longhorns can keep their grip on the bragging rights between these powerhouse programs.

They've met eight times and the best the Crimson Tide could muster was a tie. The Longhorns have won under all sorts of circumstances - ranked higher or lower, playing at home or on the road, meeting during the regular season or in the Cotton, Orange and Sugar bowls.

``I don't think there is a 'Texas whammy' on Alabama,'' Bryant said after a tight, tough loss in the 1982 Cotton Bowl. ``Their players and coaches beat us - not a 'whammy.'''

The series dates to 1902, but can't be called a rivalry. The shortest span between games was five years, and this matchup ends the longest stretch, 28 years, since that Cotton Bowl.

``I was, I think, 11 years old,'' said Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who actually was still 10 that day.

Texas football was in its 10th season, and Alabama its 11th when the schools first squared off on Nov. 18, 1902. The Longhorns won 10-0 in Tuscaloosa, then blanked the Crimson Tide again in the rematch in Austin - 13 years later.

Bama finally scored in the third meeting, but still lost 19-10.

Starting in 1948, every matchup has come in a bowl game. The first was a rout (27-6), but the last four have all been decided by four points or less.

The most famous matchup was on Jan. 1, 1965, in the Orange Bowl, with Joe Namath leading No. 1 Alabama against Tommy Nobis and No. 5 Texas in the first nationally televised New Year's night game.

The Crimson Tide rolled into Miami having already been crowned the top team for the 1964 season. The Longhorns, led by their own coaching icon, Darrell Royal, had been national champs the year before and came into the game having lost only once, by one point to No. 2 Arkansas.

Texas led 21-7 at halftime, but the viewers who returned for the second half were in for quite a treat. Setting Orange Bowl passing records, Namath threw a 20-yard touchdown pass and set up a short field goal that got the Tide within 21-17.

After an interception, Alabama was facing first-and-goal from the 6. Steve Bowman rumbled to the 2-yard line. He slammed up the middle on the next two plays, too, but only gained a yard. On fourth down, Namath kept it, trying to sneak in over right guard.

Nobis stopped him a foot short of the goal line, the play ending when the whistle blew. About the same time, Bowman jarred Nobis, freeing Namath to spin into the end zone.

Controversy? The Bear wouldn't allow it.

``When you can't score from the 1, you don't deserve to win,'' he said after the game. ``Let's face it, gentlemen. Texas was just better prepared for the game. Darrell and his staff simply did a better job than I.''

The final play remains a source of debate, though.

Texas coach Mack Brown recalls being at a Hall of Fame ceremony and seeing Namath tell Nobis, ``You know, I scored on the quarterback sneak,'' with Nobis responding: ``Joe, not only did you not score, none of your offensive linemen got in either!'''

More than 6 minutes remained after that goal-line stand. Namath got the ball back twice, but threw an interception, then saw time run out after the last of four straight incompletions.

Nonetheless, he was so dazzling that he received the game's MVP award.

``Namath was great,'' Nobis said after the game. ``I was scared the whole second half.''

It's only fitting these programs keep meeting in bowls since Alabama has been to a record 57 and Texas is second on that list with 49.

Bama has a record 31 bowl wins; Texas is fourth with 25.

Texas is No. 2 on the all-time wins list with 845 and Alabama is sixth with 812.

Both coaches have lost their only games against these schools, but obviously not with these schools. Brown lost to Alabama while coaching North Carolina in the 1993 Gator Bowl; Tide coach Nick Saban lost to Brown and the Longhorns while coaching LSU in the 2003 Cotton Bowl.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Freshman would likely get nod if McElroy gets hurt

Freshman would likely get nod if McElroy gets hurt

Freshman would likely get nod if McElroy gets hurt

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) -Who will step in if Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy goes down? Coach Nick Saban said he's ``pretty certain'' it would be freshman A.J. McCarron, who hasn't taken a college snap and is in line for a redshirt year.

Redshirt freshman Star Jackson has handled the mop-up duty in blowouts, playing in five games and going 13-of-18 passing for 116 yards without a touchdown or interception. But McCarron passed him up during the bye week after the Oct. 24 game with Tennessee.

Saban said a national title would be worth a player losing a year of eligibility, if it comes down to that.

``It's been our plan that if we had to play him, then we'll play the guy that gives us the best opportunity to win the game and that's what we would do,'' Saban said. ``Star Jackson is also an option for us. We've gotten this far. I think in fairness to everyone, we'd put the guy in the game that would give us the best opportunity to win.''

McCarron is a 6-foot-4, 190-pounder who passed for 6,066 yards and 66 touchdowns with just nine interceptions as a three-year starter at Saint Paul's in Mobile, Ala.

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FAMOUS ALUMS: Former Texas running back Priest Holmes was so impressed by this year's Longhorns team that he was willing to help his brother move across the country.

Holmes' brother was taking a moving van to Los Angeles this week, so he offered to go along for the ride just to be in the area for the national championship game. He told some school officials he was going to be here and they arranged for him to be a guest speaker at practice Tuesday.

Holmes told the Longhorns that watching them from afar he could tell what great chemistry they have.

Although Holmes didn't have tickets when he headed to California, the team has taken care of that. The Longhorns are expecting 26 alums who've played in the NFL to be at the game - including Vince Young, the star of the 2005 and '06 Rose Bowl victories.

Young, former Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams and Michael Huff, the defensive MVP of the '06 game, are the only ones likely to be on the sideline.

``It's fun to have them back,'' coach Mack Brown said of all the NFL players.

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HAPPY RETURNS: Punts and kickoffs won't be a good time for a bathroom break or snack run. Both Alabama and Texas have dangerous return men.

The Tide's Javier Arenas needs 29 yards to break Wes Welker's NCAA record for career punt return yards (1,761) and already owns the SEC mark with seven punts returned for touchdowns. That's one shy of the NCAA standard shared by Welker and Oklahoma's Antonio Perkins.

Texas counters with three dangerous return men. Punt returner Jordan Shipley has two touchdowns on returns this season, while D.J. Monroe (two) and Marquise Goodwin (one) both have taken kicks the distance.

``They're probably as good as anybody that we've played against'' in both areas, Saban said. ``As a punt returner, Shipley is really a good decision maker, good quickness. He can make the first guy miss.''

On kick returns, ``They have tremendous speed in both of their return guys. If you give these guys a seam, they're going to get off to the races and it's going to be pretty hard to sort of manage that.''

Kick coverage has at times been one of Alabama's few weak points. The Tide gave up two long returns for touchdowns early in the season, but has been less vulnerable lately.

Brown figures the strengths of the defenses could make big returns even more important. The Longhorns lead the nation with a school-record 11 non-offensive touchdowns.

``You never know in a game like this what's going to turn the game around,'' Brown said.

---

MACK THE MOTIVATOR: Before Texas played Southern Cal in the 2006 Rose Bowl, Brown found the inspiration for his pregame speech from - of all places - ``The Jerry Springer Show.''

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, he talked about the challenge of providing those words of wisdom.

``I'll have 122 sets of eyes looking at me, an entire staff looking at me tomorrow afternoon at about 2:00 wanting me to put some sense into how important this game is,'' he said. ``What can you say in a five-minute period to relax them and make sure they're focused when they've had a month and two days to prepare for this?''

He also seemed to use Wednesday's news conference as a chance to test out his message.

``'I want you focused, I want you tough, I want you ready to play, but I want you to have fun' - which gets really contradictory when they're looking at you,'' he said. ``'Is it important, Coach? Yeah, it's the National Championship. You're the best at what you do in the country, and you've got three and a half hours to prove it. You want to respect Alabama, but you don't want to have your team where they're not sure that they think you think they can win, because they have to know myself and our coaches think we can win.' So all of those things go through your mind.''

---

NFL? NO THANKS: Alabama's Nick Saban has coached in the NFL several times, including as a head coach. Now he's back in college football, perhaps to stay.

Brown has never made the leap, and probably never will.

``At one time it was compelling,'' he said Wednesday. ``If I coached somewhere else, I'd have to be in complete control, and I think that's what you get in college football. You get to make the decisions within the structure of your athletic director and your president.''

He also prefers college kids answering to him out of loyalty to trying to get multimillionaires to answer to him.

``I also was told one time that don't ever coach a player that you can't buy a house in his neighborhood, and that makes sense,'' he said. ``I've heard the Joe Namath stories where Dan Henning was coaching him and Dan jumped on Joe, and the head coach said, `OK, now, we've sold all these tickets, are they coming to see you or him.' So I do understand it's different.''

---

TV TALK: The BCS moves to ESPN next season, but it has already said goodbye to Fox after four years with that network.

Because the Rose Bowl has a separate TV deal from the rest of the BCS games, ABC will broadcast Thursday night's BCS title game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Texas.

ESPN paid $125 million for the TV rights to the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar bowls, as well as the BCS title games, from 2011-14. ABC will continue to be the home of the Rose Bowl during that time.

Fox's BCS deal ran from 2007-10 and was worth $80 million.

ESPN runs ABC Sports, so for that network, this season's game is in a way the first of a new era for the BCS on TV.

``To be able to have two games this year through our good friends at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in the Rose Bowl game and the championship game here in California is special for us to ... get a jump-start on our full new BCS relationship next year,'' said Burke Magnus, ESPN senior vice president for college sports programming.

Brent Musberger will handle play-by-play for the game Thursday night, with Kirk Herbstreit doing analysis.

Dave Miller, senior coordinating producer for sports programming at ESPN, said 30 cameras will be used for the BCS championship game.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

(2) Texas (13-0) vs. (1) Alabama (13-0)

Thursday, January 7th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

GAME NOTES: The two best teams in the land collide in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Thursday evening, as the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and second-ranked Texas Longhorns stake their claims for the BCS National Championship.

Alabama is no stranger to the big stage, as the Crimson Tide will be playing for their 13th national title this week. The team's last national title came back in 1992. Likewise, Nick Saban is very familiar with the pressures of the big game, leading LSU to the national championship in 2003.

In just his third season at the helm in Tuscaloosa, Saban once again has a team on the verge of greatness. The Crimson Tide have run the table thus far, sporting a flawless 13-0 record to this point. The stellar season was punctuated by a 32-13 demolition of reigning national champion Florida in the SEC Championship Game, thus earning the right to play for this year's national crown.

With yet another impressive season, Alabama earned its NCAA-best 57th bowl berth. The Tide are 31-22-3 in postseason play overall.

Mack Brown is also seeking a second national title, winning his first just four years ago with the Longhorns. Texas has followed a similar path this season, sporting a perfect 13-0 mark to this point, including winning the Big 12 title with a 13-12 dramatic decision against Nebraska in the conference championship game.

Coach Brown knows the task at hand, but appreciates the opportunity in front of him and his team.

"Our guys understand we're up against a great opponent on Thursday night, but we also understand it's for the National Championship, and what a window of opportunity for most teams. You know, it's too hard to get here not to enjoy it, so we're going to enjoy the week, enjoy being here and try to play our best game. We still haven't played our best game yet."

Texas ranks second in NCAA Bowl appearances, playing in its 49th bowl game this year. The team is 25-21-3 in prior postseason affairs.

Texas has never lost to Alabama in the all-time series, sporting a 7-0-1 record in eight previous meetings. However, this is the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron since the 1982 Cotton Bowl, a 14-12 win for Texas.

There wasn't much that Texas couldn't do with the football this season and the result was ranking third in the nation in scoring at 40.7 ppg. The team was able to rush for 152.7 yards per game on 4.1 yards per carry, but the real strength was in a passing attack that netted 279.7 yards per game.

It certainly helps to have one of college football's greatest leaders under center in senior All-American Colt McCoy. The all-time leader in career wins, McCoy had yet another stellar campaign this season, completing a ridiculous 70.5 percent of his passes, for 3,512 yards, with 27 TDs. The Heisman finalist was certainly aided by fellow First-Team All-American wideout Jordan Shipley, as he hauled in 106 passes, for 1,363 yards and 11 TDs. The ground game plays second-fiddle in Austin, but rushers like Tre' Newton (5.0 ypc, six TDs) and Cody Johnson (4.0 ypc, 12 TDs) know how to make the most of their opportunities.

As good as McCoy and company have been this year, the Texas defense may have actually played a more critical role in landing the Longhorns in the title game. Among the national leaders in just about every facet of defensive play, Texas finished up ranked first in rush defense (62.2 ypg), third in total defense (251.1 ypg) and eighth in scoring defense (15.2 ppg). In addition, this big play unit racked up 41 sacks, 24 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

There are playmakers at every position on the defense. Up front, Texas relies heavily on the push upfield by ends Sam Acho (57 tackles, 13 TFLs, 9.0 sacks, four fumble recoveries) and Sergio Kindle (62 tackles, 18 TFLs, 3.0 sacks) and tackle Lamarr Houston (58 tackles, 20 TFLs, 7.0 sacks). Rodderick Muckelroy (team-high 96 tackles, 11 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, one INT) highlights the play in the LB corps, while safeties Earl Thomas (71 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, eight INTs) and Blake Gideon (56 tackles, five INTs) are ball hawks in the secondary. Thomas was named a First-Team All-American for his efforts.

Texas' big play ability on defense is something that Nick Saban is very aware of.

"I think Texas has a very good defense, period. They've got a very good secondary. They've got good people up front. They've got very good pass rushers. I think all those things contribute to the turnovers. I think they also have the most non-offensive touchdowns scored (in the nation), which means their defense is scoring some too. I think it's because of the pressure, and not just the way the players play in the back end, but also the pressure they put on you and how it affects the quarterback up front. The challenge is that all the guys do their job well. We're going to have to protect well. We're going to have to run good routes and get open, make a good choice in the way we distribute the ball from the quarterback position. Turnovers will definitely have an impact on this game, like they do every game."

The Longhorns use the pass to soften things up for the run, while Alabama uses the run to set up the pass. Few teams in the country did it better than Alabama this season, as the team churned out 215.8 yards per game on the ground, on 5.1 yards per carry. Sophomore Mark Ingram of course is the main reason for the success, as the First-Team All-American rumbled for 1,542 yards and 15 TDs, en route to the Heisman Trophy. Ingram, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry, made things a lot easier for QB Greg McElroy to manage the passing game. McElroy completed a solid 61.1 percent of his passes this year, for 2,450 yards, with 17 TDs against a mere four interceptions. Wideouts Julio Jones (42 receptions, for 573 yards, four TDs) and Marquis Maze (30 receptions, for 519 yards, two TDs) are the main options on the outside, while Ingram (30 receptions, 322 yards, three TDs) proved to be one of the top receiving tailbacks around.

If Texas' defense can be labeled as great, than Alabama's was flat out awesome this year. The team made light work of just about everyone on the schedule, finishing the year ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (11.0 ppg), rush defense (77.9 ypg) and total defense (241.7 ypg), while ranking eighth in pass defense (163.8 ypg).

The combination of size, strength and speed of Alabama's front seven has really been the difference. First-Team All-American and Butkus Award winner Rolando McClain (6-4, 258) is the heart and soul of the stop unit. The monster LB led the team in tackles this season (101), with 12.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and two INTs. Fellow LB Eryk Anders (59 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, one INT) must also be accounted for at all times. Up front, the team looks to 6-3, 280- pound end Marcell Dareus (32 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) and 6-5, 365-pound tackle Terrence Cody 25 tackles, 6.0 TFLs) to wear down the opposition. The secondary has certainly benefited by the play of the front seven, although it doesn't get much better than DBs Mark Barron (70 tackles, seven INTs) and Javier Arenas (66 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, three INTs).

While Cody's numbers aren't overwhelming, Saban knows the value of his mammoth nose guard.

"I think the nature of his position is not one where you would have a significant amount of production, in terms of he is an interior player, he plays nose guard or usually plays on the center or just off the center in the A-gap. I think the value that he creates for us, first off all he is very difficult to block, and most of the time they've got to use two blockers on him, which means that somebody else is not getting blocked, primarily the linebackers and those guys make a lot of plays and make lots of tackles and not have people coming off to block them, where it's more difficult to take on a block, get off a block and make a tackle. I think his real value is that he is very difficult to block and he eats up a few blockers that helps the other players on the team play a lot better."

Cody and Arenas joined McClain as First-Team All-Americans this year, while Barron was tabbed a Third-Team All-American.

The Longhorns may have struggled down the stretch with a couple of nail-biting victories, and although that has thrown up some red flags, it shouldn't be a distraction to the team according to Brown.

"I don't know if people telling you every day that you're not good enough is advantageous. What I've got to do is have a balance of saying here's the reason people are saying it: Alabama played in its last game better than you played in your last two as a whole. They played a great football game. And that should not be any different in motivating us than playing for a National Championship."

This game will be a war between two highly accomplished programs. The Longhorns' strength is in their quarterback play and defensive tenacity, while Alabama will attempt to play smash-mouth football and utilize its Heisman Trophy winner to his fullest potential. In the end, the difference very well may be Alabama's size on both sides of the ball.

Predicted Outcome: Alabama 24, Texas 20

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

NCAA Bowl Game Matchup -- Citi BCS National Championship

(2) Texas Longhorns (13-0) vs. (1) Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0)
Date: Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Kickoff: 8 p.m. (et)
Site: Rose Bowl (92,542) -- Pasadena, California
Surface: Grass
Annual: 4th
Projected Payout Per Team: $17,000,000
Television: ABC
Announcers: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters
Home Record: Texas 6-0; Alabama 7-0
Away Record: Texas 5-0; Alabama 5-0
Neutral Record: Texas 2-0; Alabama 1-0
Current Win/Loss Streak: Texas 17W; Alabama 13W
Las Vegas Line: Alabama 4.5 (Total, 45)
All-Time Series: Texas (7-0-1)
Last Meeting: January 1, 1982 (Texas, 14-12 at Dallas, TX in Cotton Bowl)
Series Streak: Texas has won the last three meetings.
Versus Opposing Conference: Texas vs. SEC (95-45-4)
Versus Opposing Conference: Alabama vs. Big 12 (14-16-2)
Bowl Records: Texas (25-21-2)
Alabama (31-22-3)
2009 National Rankings: Texas - 2nd
Alabama - 1st
Coaches: Texas - Mack Brown (128-26 at Texas)
(Career Record, 214-100-1)
Alabama - Nick Saban (32-8 at Alabama)
(Career Record, 123-50-1)

Season Schedule/Results
Texas Longhorns
Sep 5 - W vs. UL-Monroe, 59-20
Sep 12 - W at Wyoming, 41-10
Sep 19 - W vs. Texas Tech, 34-24
Sep 26 - W vs. Texas-El Paso, 64-7
Oct 3 - Open
Oct 10 - W vs. Colorado, 38-14
Oct 17 - W vs. Oklahoma, 16-13 (at Dallas, TX)
Oct 24 - W at Missouri, 41-7
Oct 31 - W at Oklahoma State, 41-14
Nov 7 - W vs. U-C-F, 35-3
Nov 14 - W at Baylor, 47-14
Nov 21 - W vs. Kansas, 51-20
Nov 26 - W at Texas A&M, 49-39
Dec 5 - W vs. Nebraska, 13-12 (Big 12 Championship)
Dec 12 - Open
Jan 7 - vs. Alabama, 8:00 PM (BCS National Championship)
Alabama Crimson Tide
Sep 5 - W at Virginia Tech, 34-24
Sep 12 - W vs. FIU, 40-14
Sep 19 - W vs. North Texas, 53-7
Sep 26 - W vs. Arkansas, 35-7
Oct 3 - W at Kentucky, 38-20
Oct 10 - W at Ole Miss, 22-3
Oct 17 - W vs. So Carolina, 20-6
Oct 24 - W vs. Tennessee, 12-10
Oct 31 - Open
Nov 7 - W vs. L-S-U, 24-15
Nov 14 - W at Miss State, 31-3
Nov 21 - W vs. Chattanooga, 45-0
Nov 27 - W at Auburn, 26-21
Dec 5 - W vs. Florida, 32-13 (SEC Championship)
Dec 12 - Open
Jan 7 - vs. Texas, 8:00 PM (BCS National Championship)

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

BCS Championship biggest betting mismatches

Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (-4, 46)

Texas pass defense vs. Alabama's pass offense

While the Longhorns will counter Heisman winner Mark Ingram with the top rushing defense in the country, the club's secondary could be a difference maker Thursday night. Texas is tied for the national lead in interceptions with 24 while the overall pass defense is a solid 25th in the country in passing defense.

With Ingram being the focus of the Crimson Tide's offense, Alabama (83rd in the nation in passing offense) hasn't gone to the air too much this season. However, quarterback Greg McElroy could be pressed into a more aggressive approach, if Ingram is contained by a stout Texas defense.

Alabama's rush defense vs. Texas rush offense

Alabama is second in the nation in rushing offense. The unit has allowed only five rushing touchdowns in 13 games.

With quarterback Colt McCoy leading the offense, the Longhorns rely on its passing game more than its ground attack. Texas is 55th in the nation in rushing offense. McCoy actually leads the squad in rushing attempts with 128. Freshman Tre' Newton (team-high 503 yards) did average 16 carries per contest over the final three games of the season but was held to just 36 yards on 19 carries against Nebraska.

Javier Arenas vs. Texas punting unit

Alabama's senior defensive back needs only 29 yards to break Wes Welker's record for most career punt return yards in college football history. Arenas has returned seven punts for touchdowns during his career with the Crimson Tide. This season, he is third in the nation in punt return average at over 16 yards per return.

Texas is 95th in the nation in net punting. Against an Alabama defense that is second in the nation in total and scoring defense, the Longhorns are likely to exceed its average of four punts per game against the Crimson Tide.

SEC vs. Big 12

The SEC is a perfect 5-0 in BCS title games while the Big 12 is just 2-4. In head-to-head BCS Championship matchups, the SEC is 2-0 against the Big 12. Last year, Florida handled Oklahoma to capture the national title.

The SEC is generally viewed as the stronger overall conference with more depth. Some minor bowl results involving the two conferences favor the SEC. Since 1999, the two conferences have met in the Cotton Bowl. The SEC has won six of the last seven matchups in Dallas. The Independence Bowl has also featured the two conferences most of the time since 1998. In 10 SEC-Big 12 meetings in Shreveport, LA, the SEC has posted a record of 8-2.

While Texas can point to a 7-0-1 all-time record against Alabama, the two schools last meeting was nearly three decades ago when coaching legend Paul "Bear" Bryant was still looming on the sidelines for the Crimson Tide.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

BCS Championship

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Texas Longhorns (+4, 46)

It?s cold outside. Anyone ready to sweat?

The National Championship Game is poised to deliver.

Alabama and Texas are evenly matched, with coaching staffs that are very familiar with each other.

This isn?t Ohio State-Florida or LSU-Ohio State. This is a game between two elite teams with comparable amounts of NFL talent on both sides of the ball. Neither team is going to be overwhelmed by the other?s speed, athleticism or talent. And neither staff is going to get out-schemed.

?It's really funny when you start looking at the defenses," Texas coach Mack Brown told the Associated Press. "They're exactly the same. The calls are the same. That's the positive for us. The negative is that both staffs will be trying to out-think what the other one is going to do, because we know so much about each other."

Like the line suggests, the game appears destined to be decided by around one score. A wider margin would be a mild surprise, and anything remotely resembling a blowout would be a complete shock.

Crank up the AC, boys and girls, because the BCS National Championship Game has all the makings of a real sweater.

The Line

Alabama opened up as a 4-point favorite in Las Vegas and as high as -5 at several offshore sites.

?If the game was played this week, Alabama would have been -7,? oddsmaker Pete Korner told Covers.com directly after the opening line went up in early December. ?But we?ve seen it so many times, these teams playing their best football at the end of the season, only to have a month off before the bowl game. It?s a momentum stopper.

?Even though, [the line] went up to just under a touchdown, we still believe we will have good two-way action at number below six by kickoff.?

Korner was spot on. Early action on the Crimson Tide pushed the number up to as high as -6 in the middle of December. But, as of late Monday afternoon, it was back down to -4.

It might get down to -3 by Thursday?s 8:35 p.m. ET kickoff, but don?t expect it to go any lower. Likewise, Texas backers shouldn?t expect to get any more than +4 at the absolute most.

Moneyline players are looking at laying -170 on Alabama and will be getting +150 on Texas.

The Total

It opened at 44.5 and has moved up slightly. On Monday, it was up to 45 with several 45.5s available. Now bettors are getting 46 points as kickoff approaches

The Crimson Tide went 6-6-1 over/under with an average total of 46.07.

Alabama averages 31.69 points per game and allows just 11. Against the three top statistical defenses it faced?Florida, Virginia Tech and South Carolina?the Tide averaged 28.6 points.

Texas averages 40.69 points per game and allows 15.15.

The Longhorns went 6-7 over/under with an average total of just under eight touchdowns, 55.88. Against the two toughest defenses it faced?Oklahoma and Nebraska--Texas averaged 14.5 points per game.

Teams that gave them trouble

Alabama had a tough time putting away Tennessee and South Carolina at home. Quarterback Greg McElroy struggled in both of those games, throwing two interceptions, no touchdowns and passing for just 212 yards combined.

South Carolina and Tennessee also had more first downs than Alabama in their close losses to the Tide.

Texas struggled in its three rivalry games, nipping Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas A&M by a combined score of 99-76. The Red Raiders, Sooners and Aggies were the only three teams to pass for more than 300 yards against the Longhorns.

The Longhorns also had trouble with Nebraska, especially slowing down defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Alabama?s mammoth defensive tackle Terrence Cody isn?t as athletic as Suh, but he is a force in the middle.

Statistically speaking

Stats-wise, it?s extremely equal with both squads among the national leaders in multiple categories on offense and defense.

Alabama is No. 2 in total defense. Texas is No. 3. The Tide has a better rushing attack, led by Heisman winner Mark Ingram. The Longhorns are more potent through the air, led by Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley.

But there are a couple of statistical mismatches that could be a factor.

Texas has one of the best kickoff return units in the nation. Featuring Shipley, the Horns average 27.8 yards per return, fourth most in the nation.

The Crimson Tide has been vulnerable on kickoffs and allowed returns for touchdowns to Virginia Tech and Florida International early in the season. Alabama?s kickoff-return defense ranks 116th in the nation.

The Longhorn pass rush is also superior to Alabama?s, averaging three sacks per game.

Quarterbacks

Advantage Texas, but not by much.

McCoy has much more big-game experience than McElroy and will be starting his fourth bowl game. McElroy will be starting his first.

McCoy?s also the better runner out of the two, although McElroy looked nimble in the SEC Championship Game against Florida.

McCoy is 17th in the nation in passing efficiency, with a 27-to-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. McElroy is 26th in pass efficiency with a 19-to-9 TD-to-INT ratio.

Key Notes

? There are no significant injuries or suspensions for either team.
? Heisman trophy winners are 1-6 in BCS National Championship Games.
? Both teams have reliable kickers, with Texas? Hunter Lawrence converting on 22-of-25 attempts and Alabama?s Leigh Tiffin connecting on 29-of-33 attempts.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Preview:
Texas vs Alabama
When: 8:35 PM ET, Thursday, January 7, 2010
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Alabama Crimson Tide are ranked 32 on offense, averaging 413.8 yards per game. The Crimson Tide are averaging 215.8 yards rushing and 197.9 yards passing so far this season.

The Texas Longhorns are ranked 15 on offense, averaging 432.3 yards per game. The Longhorns are averaging 152.6 yards rushing and 279.7 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 7-0 at home this season, 9-0 against conference opponents and 4-0 against non-conference opponents.

At home the Crimson Tide are averaging 32.7 scoring, and holding teams to 8.4 points scored on defense.

The Texas Longhorns are 5-0 while on the road this season, 9-0 against conference opponents and 4-0 against non-conference opponents.

On the road, the Longhorns are averaging 43.8 scoring, and holding teams to 16.8 points scored on defense.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

Trends - No. 2 Texas vs No. 1 Alabama

Trends - No. 2 Texas vs No. 1 Alabama

Trends - No. 2 Texas vs No. 1 Alabama

ATS Trends

Texas

Longhorns are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Longhorns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games as an underdog.
Longhorns are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Longhorns are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Longhorns are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games as an underdog.
Longhorns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Longhorns are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Longhorns are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 neutral site games.
Longhorns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 bowl games.
Longhorns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games on grass.
Longhorns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Bowl games.
Longhorns are 2-6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Longhorns are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Longhorns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

Alabama

Crimson Tide are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Big 12.
Crimson Tide are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.

OU Trends

Texas

Over is 4-0 in Longhorns last 4 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 8-2 in Longhorns last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 6-2 in Longhorns last 8 neutral site games.
Under is 5-2 in Longhorns last 7 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Longhorns last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 7-3 in Longhorns last 10 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 7-3 in Longhorns last 10 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.

Alabama

Over is 4-0 in Crimson Tide last 4 non-conference games.
Under is 4-0 in Crimson Tide last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 5-1-1 in Crimson Tide last 7 games as a favorite.
Under is 4-1-1 in Crimson Tide last 6 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in Crimson Tide last 6 games on grass.
Under is 3-1-1 in Crimson Tide last 5 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Over is 3-1-1 in Crimson Tide last 5 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Under is 18-7-1 in Crimson Tide last 26 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 5-2-1 in Crimson Tide last 8 games overall.
Under is 5-2-1 in Crimson Tide last 8 games following a S.U. win.

Head to Head

No trends available.

Lumi · Jan 7, 2010

DUNKEL INDEX BCS CHAMPIONSHIP 07 JAN 10

DUNKEL INDEX BCS CHAMPIONSHIP 07 JAN 10

NCAA Football Game Picks
Texas vs. Alabama
The Longhorns look to build on their 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 neutral site games as an underdog. Texas is the pick (+4) according to Dunkel, which has the Longhorns favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Texas (+4). Here are all of this week's picks.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7
Time Posted: 10:00 a.m. EST (1/4)
Game 267-268: Texas vs. Alabama
Dunkel Ratings: Texas 113.727; Alabama 111.878
Dunkel Line: Texas by 2; 48
Vegas Line: Alabama by 4; 44 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (+4); Over

Alabama vs. Texas

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