Bama Brings It Home, Down Texas 37-21

                                              Alabama vs. Texas

                                               January 7, 2010


Pasadena, California


Let's get one thing straight right out of the chute. As a matter of fact, let's get it straight twice. If Colt McCoy had the athletic ability to outrun a 295 lb. D tackle, he wouldn't have gotten injured. Further, if Donta Hightower, Alabama's premier inside linebacker who went down earlier in the year with a season ending knee injury, had been on the field Colt McCoy might have gotten injured even sooner than he did. So for anyone who wants to detract from Alabama's NCAA leading 13th National Championship by playing what if, let that sink in for a minute.

Now on to the game...    Garrett Gilbert almost had a moment didn't he? Almost. Jordan Shipley too.  QUICK - name two other players on Texas' offense. That's why they lost. McCoy, Shipley and Newton, the running back who Auburn fans hope Onterrio McCalebb was watching and learning from (Hint-at some point you turn it upfield). Among the final numbers for Texas' offense were these-81 yards rushing and 4 interceptions. That combination will get you beat. Throw in a mystifying coaching decision by Mack Brown just before the half and you get a full team effort from Alabama to claim this game and the national title.

Nick Saban is the best football coach in the nation. He prepared his team in every conceivable way. Before the season he brought in the Pacific Institute, who promote "individual growth and team results," to meet with and work with his players. I would consider that the best $39,000 the athletic department has spent this year. Saban's 4th quarter off-season conditioning program is legendary. His attention to detail, both physical and psychological, will continue to drive his team to national heights every year he is in Tuscaloosa. When he was the head coach at LSU, athletic director Skip Bertman said, "not only is Nick Saban the best football coach I've ever seen, he is the best coach of any type I've ever seen."

Three years ago when Nick Saban came to Alabama, the entire college football nation had to know this was coming. Just as they now know it will continue. To (mis)quote Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman "he's just getting warmed up."