The Heisman Curse: Ingram and The Crimson Tide Better Beware

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Mark Ingram have had quite the year.  After losing to Florida last year in the SEC title game, this team wanted revenge for it's loss.  Nick Saban made that happen in a 32-13 romp of Florida on Dec. 5 in Atlanta.

Now there is one goal remaining.  That is to defeat the Texas Longhorns in the BCS National Title Game and prove they are the best team in the nation.  In a year that saw an amazing five teams go undefeated, Alabama knows what's on the line Jan. 7 in Pasedena.

A cause of concern could be Mark Ingram winning the Heisman trophy in the closest race ever.  Although many people out there tend to not believe in curses, it's a proven fact that in recent years the Heisman winner's team has struggled in its bowl game.

Yes, the stakes are as high as they possibly could be, but Texas is going to give Alabama everything they've got in order to win this football game.

Alabama has had it's share of close games this season.  They opened up the season defeating Va Tech by 10.  They barely escaped beating Tennessee 12-10, and handled LSU 24 to 15.

In a game that Alabama was outplayed and could have easily lost, they found a way to comeback and defeat Auburn 26-21.  It's certainly not like Alabama is steam rolling their opponents and they have relied heavily on their defense this season.

In this decade, the Heisman Trophy winner has played in the National Title Game an amazing seven times!

In all but one game, the team who had the Heisman winner lost.

In 2000, Chris Weinke and Florida State lost 13-2 to Oklahoma.

In 2001, Eric Crouch and Nebraska lost to an outstanding Miami team 37-14.

In 2003, Jason White and Oklahoma lost to LSU 21-14.

In 2005, Reggie Bush and USC lost to Vince Young's Texas team in a game that many believe is the best college football game of this decade, 41-38.

In 2006, Troy Smith and Ohio lost to a very talented Florida Gators team 41-14.

Finally, last season, in 2008, Sam Bradford and Oklahoma lost to Florida 24-14.

There have only been two players to escape the curse this decade.  Both quarterbacks out of USC, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, in 2002 and 2004.

Whether or not you believe in curses, just look at what has happened to some of the players that have been on the Madden cover.

Troy Polomalu this season is a perfect example.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are a totally different team when he's not playing.  He has been battling knee injuries all year, and could cause the Steelers to miss the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl.

Mark Ingram is a tremendous football player.  He ran for over 1,500 yards this season and 15 touchdowns.  He also had 30 receptions and three touchdowns receiving.

The trend of Heisman Trophy winners losing in the National Championship game is a scary statistic. Who knows if Mack Brown is going to light a fire under his team like he did in 2006.  Colt McCoy could come out and play like Vince Young in the 2006 Rose Bowl.

Both these teams will have had over a month off since their last game.  How each team starts this game could have a significant impact on the outcome. 

In the minds of many, Alabama is clearly the better football team.  That doesn't matter as this is one game with everything on the line.  Whoever comes out and executes the game plan to perfection is going to be the National Champion.

I don't expect a blowout from either team.  This game is going to be won or lost in the fourth quarter.  How Ingram performs is going to play a role in Alabama's chances of winning.  For evidence, just look at what happened at Auburn.

Will the Heisman Curse live on, or will Alabama win the National Championship for the first time since the 1992 Season.