2010 National Championship: Did Fans Get Their Money's Worth?

PASADENA, California -- The 2010 National Championship is in the books.

Flint, Michigan's own, Mark Ingram delivered the goal that was set by his team and coaching staff from the on-set of the season -- win a national title.

Alabama prevailed, 37-21, in one of the more entertaining college football contests fans will witness for a long time (or at least until next year).

There was drama, intrigue, injuries and blockbuster plays—what else could a fan ask for?

The stage was set for a dynamic rushing attack vs. a spread offense that would give any defensive coordinator nightmares.

Colt McCoy's last game in a burnt-orange Longhorn jersey was supposed to be an epic battle of Heisman talent and two dominant programs.

Two of the great minds in college football, Nick Saban and Mack Brown, were set to put their boys on the field for a no. 1 vs. no. 2 squabble for all of the marbles.

McCoy was caught between a rock and a hard place in the first quarter, his own center Chris Hall and Alabama's defensive end Marcell Darius. McCoy left the game to be x-rayed, and did not return.

With McCoy out, it was assumed that the Longhorns had no realistic chance to beat the Tide. Their only offense at the time came from their kicker, Hunter Lawrence, who nailed two field goals (18 yards, 42 yards) to put the 'Horns up 6-0.

The nation was expecting a knock-down-drag-out-fight, but the Tide's heavy-handed first half defense made the game look like it was going to be a blow out. With the absence of McCoy, the long-faced Longhorn fans were in for a huge disappointment -- or where they?

The Crimson Tide went into the locker room with a 24-6 lead and looked to be in cruise control for a good ol' fashioned passionate, you know the rest.

The Longhorns wouldn't take the shellacking lying down, freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert would hook up with Jordan Shipley on two bombs which put Texas in position to make it a game—down just three, 24-21, with just over six minutes to go. Gilbert showed a lot of grit and confidence for a frosh—taking over for a collegiate legend on the biggest stage the game has to offer. Longhorn fans should be proud.

The story of the game later focused on the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram.

Ingram rushed for 116 yards, two touchdowns and played like a man possessed—he was. His father, Mark Ingram I, was tuned in no doubt. No matter the circumstances, Ingram had the goal of making his father proud—what father wouldn't be?

The Alabama back-field was just too much for the Longhorns to handle in the end. Trent Richardson burst up the middle for a 49 yard scamper to give the Tide their first lead of the game.

'Bama never looked back.

Richardson finished with two touchdowns on 109 yards rushing.

Texas fans are forced to deal with the "what ifs" as they attempt to deal with the heart-breaking loss.

What if McCoy didn't get hurt?

What would have been the outcome?

Would it even have made that much of a difference?

Granted, McCoy probably wouldn't have been picked four times, but that's just speculation.

Mack Brown was put in the scenario to play the cards he was dealt.

The Alabama defense showed the world what they're capable of in the SEC Championship game against Florida, would their performance be any different against the 'Horns when it came to winning a national championship?

If fans don't feel like they got their money's worth, they're wrong.

How else could the game have been scripted?

Star quarterback injured, facing one of the best defenses in the land, and with six minutes left to play, they were still in it.

2010's BCS National Championship game was nothing short of spectacular from a "great for college football" standpoint.

Who would have thought that an unknown freshman quarterback would even get remotely close to doing the impossible? Gilbert was forced onto the saddle with McCoy's injury and he played his heart out.

The game's score doesn't do it justice. If someone was to peruse through their local sports section and glimpse at the score of Thursday night's game, they'd think a routing took place.

Texas showed that no matter what, they were "in-it-to-win-it," they did just that.

The only aspect of the game that didn't live up to the hype was McCoy's performance, but it wasn't just about him. The Longhorns showed a true "team" attitude and got within six minutes of pulling off the unimaginable (unimaginable without McCoy).

Did you get your money's worth?

I know I certainly did, and I didn't even have to buy a ticket.