Instant Capstone Classic at Bryant-Denny

It wasn't John Elway leading the Broncos on a 98-yard drive for the AFC championship, but for many of the sellout crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, it was much better.

When Matt Caddell hauled in a 4-yard game-winning touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining, only one word could describe the state of the 'Bama nation: pandemonium.

For many of the Crimson Tide faithful (including myself), Saturday's classic battle with the Arkansas Razorbacks was a roller coaster of emotions—with everything that makes college football worth watching.

Alabama got a standout performance from senior wide reciever D.J. Hall, starting from the Tide's first play when he caught a 43-yard pass from quarterback John Parker Wilson—setting up the first of three touchdowns in the first quarter. Let's face it: nobody expected the Alabama offense to score 21 unanswered points on the Razorback defense—or have success passing—after having a little bit of an off-day against Vandy when the running game carried the offensive attack.

Needless to say, I was plesantly surprised to see the offense come right out of the gate and move the ball—especially through the air—against a talented defense like Arkansas. Granted, they're nowhere near the caliber of the LSU defense. 

But who is? (at least this early).

I went in gate 19 at Bryant-Denny knowing that the Alabama defense could not stop Darren McFadden. I only hoped they could contain him long enogh for the offense to build a lead. Build a lead they did, as Arkansas—riding the momentum of McFadden and Felix Jones, who rushed 16 times for 96 yards—stormed back. 

That's the thing about Houston Nutt and Arkansas. It seems like they never go away. They never quit and always believe they can win, no matter how many points they have to score to do it.

The way they did it surprised me to no end. No one outside of Fayetteville ever talks about Arkansas' passing game, (except when number 5 takes to the skies out of the "wild hog" formation) but Casey Dick and the Arkansas recieving corps made some plays.

When Alabama keyed on McFadden and Jones, the Hogs were able to fool the defense with playfakes and bootlegs.

Nonetheless, at the half 'Bama had a 21-10 lead, and I had a feeling that wasn't enough.

I was right. 

Arkansas scored 28 unanswered points, and 'Bama found itself down 38-31 with 8:08 left—and I was beside myself with anger and disbelief.

After all, I had just watched a fairly sizable lead melt away like an ice cube on an Alabama sidewalk.  The Crimson Tide defense was forced to stay on the field so long that I began to feel sorry for them, and ugly memories of last year's heartbreaking overtime loss to the Hogs began to flood my mind's eye.

I have to say that when Alabama faced a fourth-and-five on the Arkansas 25—and kicker Leigh Tiffin took the field to attempt a 42-yard field goal—I was not happy, and could not understand why the Tide would possibly be settling for three points when they were obviously down by seven.

That's why I don't make $4 million a year.

The weary Crimson Tide defense pulled off an almost impossible feat. They stopped the Hogs offense (minus McFadden, who was sidelined with cramps) and got the ball back with 2:13 to go on the Alabama 27.

Then it happened.

People all around Bryant-Denny stadium rose to their feet and held their breath as Matt Caddell caught two straight passes.

The Tide offense began to move, and people began to believe.

After a series of passes and penalties, 'Bama suddenly found itself facing a third-and-one at the Arkansas four.

All was quiet on the Alabama front as Wilson barked the cadence, took the snap, and dropped back to pass.

Then time went into slow motion as the ball flew toward the back corner of the end zone.

No one dared breathe as Matt Caddell climed the ladder and fell to the ground.

Then...pandemonium.

Though the cheering quieted and the crowd departed, the feeling remained.

When I finally left Bryant-Denny stadium, I felt as if I had been a part of something special.

In fact, I had.

I had been a part of the drive.