The BCS Championship Prediction by Quarter Alabama Vs Texas

This game will have a lot of build up to attract viewers and to portray Texas as a giant killer or a deserving underdog but if both teams bring their A game, it won't be a contest.

So rather than make a simple prediction, I'll go in depth on what and why things will happen by quarter in this upcoming championship game.

Actually the only part of my prediction I'm unsure about is the coin toss. For arguments sake, let's say Alabama wins that. They'll defer and kick to Texas.

Alabama can have a nasty habit this season of starting slow and while the defense is tight. I expect Texas will get a decent kickoff return to the 35 yard line followed by a some short passes that net enough first downs to get them in field goal range and go up early three to nothing.

You will hear the announcers go on about how few times Alabama has trailed and how few teams have scored on them on an opening drive.

They'll kick and Alabama will return it to the 30 and set up offense. They'll throw on the first play and pick up a quick first down. But go three and out after that and punt.

This is just the way the TV media people wanted it to go, but now Alabama gets into game mode and from here, the tempo swings toward Alabama.

Alabama stuffs a run attempt for one yard, allows a short underneath pass for five yards and on third and four, Colt McCoy throws unsuccessfully for a first down. The resulting punt is returned 23 yards to set up Alabama at their own 40 yard line.

Alabama opens the running game up for a few first downs, Colin Peek sneaks into the void for 23 yards and it's first and goal when Ingram bursts up the middle for the first TD.

With about 5:35 seconds left in the first quarter, Alabama takes the lead never to relinquish it again.

Texas takes the kickoff, gets a first down and then goes three-and-out and Alabama takes over on their own 27 yard line following a great punt.

With Texas expecting another grinding drive, Greg McElroy turns the tables and goes deep to Marquis Maze who goes for 47 yards before pushed out of bounds. From there, it's grind it out runs and short passes and ends with Ingram following Cody in from the two for a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter.

Following a few punt exchanges, Alabama kicks a field goal and looks to be ready to put Texas away leading 17-3 just before the half, but you can't keep a good quarterback and receiver down all day, and McCoy hits Shipley behind the coverage just before the half ends and now everyone is excited again as the game goes to halftime with the score 17-10.

Alabama takes the second half kickoff and starts slow once again and after a first down or two punts.

However, the defense does not slow down a bit. Javier Arenas catches Colt McCoy in a corner blitz for a 13 yard sack and the quick three and out leaves no doubt that Texas has no answer for Alabama's team speed except getting a rare deep shot on them.

Alabama gets the ball and starts one of their two long clock eating, defense killing grind it out drives that takes six minutes off the clock and leaves Texas defenders walking off the field with their heads down as the Tide goes up 24-10.

Though the announcers are telling you that Texas is certainly the kind of team that can strike quickly and come back from just two scores down, they aren't talking about Texas being able to it against this team and this defense.

This is a defense that is only burned when it simply blows a coverage, has a defender fall down or over pursues. Texas is going crazy trying to find hole in that defense. These defense linemen run as fast as the other opponents linebackers and the running game is simply non existent.

Texas adjusts and sets some screens and quick passes to slow the rush. McCoy might even scramble for a first down or two and the announcers will be all giddy saying that this young man and these Longhorns won't go away that easy, but when the drive only comes up with three points it's apparent that it's too little too late.

Leading 24-13 nearing the end of the third quarter, Alabama puts the death nail in the Longhorn's coffin. McElroy mixes short passes with runs by Ingram and Richardson mixed in. Alabama kills the rest of the third quarter and goes into the fourth with this drive.

The resulting touchdown puts the score at 31-13 and the celebration begins. Alabama starts playing subs and lets everyone get a taste of playing in a national championship game.

Though Texas comes back with a face saving touchdown late to get it to 31-20, the game is over and Alabama can finally celebrate for the first time since the 1992 season.

For the Longhorns, it was a long day but not a shameful one and for the rest of college football, they also take a long deep breath. This same Alabama will not only come back next year, but may come back deeper and better.

Though they lose Rolando McClain and Javier Arenas among others they get back Damien Square and Donta Hightower plus some red shirt players who are chomping at the bits to get in and show off.

Nick Saban gets his one and only Gatorade bath of the season and at age 55 finally gets his first perfect season and his second national championship and a place in history. The process has finally come to an end, at least for this season.

Greg McElroy looks up and finds his three former high school mates now playing for Texas and gives them a hug and takes the congratulations from them.

Ticker tape falls and Mal Moore walks to the podium to help accept the national championship trophy. His years of service to the university are now paid back as he finally sees all the pieces come together under his guidance and persistence.

The announcers now proclaim Nick Saban to be one of the best coaches of all time and the only one to win a national championship at this level at two different schools by all the major ranking services.

They will forget to mention that Coach Bryant did win the number one ranking with the Sagarin rankings and is now "officially" credited with a share of the title with his 1950 Kentucky squad who went 11-1 and beat the number one team in the nation in the Sugar Bowl.

The cameras pan and show Alabama players hugging and celebrating and Nick Saban is already getting anxious to get back on the recruiting trail while the iron is hot. He's already had five minutes to celebrate the win, so it's time to get back to work.

And maybe that's just one of the big reasons that Alabama has just won the game, the championship and maybe a few more down the road.