Texas vs. Alabama
at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.; Thursday, 8 p.m.; TV » ABC
Keys to the game
1. Stopping McCoy » After getting sacked nine times and throwing three interceptions against Nebraska in the Big 12 title game, Texas QB Colt McCoy needs to rebound against an even tougher Alabama defense. In the SEC title game, the Tide were successful in dealing with a quarterback with similar ability to run and throw, Tim Tebow, holding Florida to 13 first downs. With no rushing attack to take pressure off, McCoy will have to complete short passes early to slow down the Bama rush. Then he can use his extraordinary ability to make plays with his feet and arm.
2. Stopping Ingram » The leaky run defense of Auburn held Alabama Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram to 30 yards rushing, so it can be done. Texas is not big up front, but has lots of speed. If the Horns can stop Ingram on first down and get Alabama QB Greg McIlroy into passing situations, they can wreak havoc. DEs Sam Acho (8 sacks) and Sergio Kindle are relentless pass rushers, keying a defense that ranked No. 5 in sacks (39) and No. 1 in interceptions (24).
3. History » Does history mean anything? Texas hopes so. In eight meetings, the last in 1982, Texas has never lost to Alabama. Recent BCS history also favors the Longhorns as the No. 2-ranked team has won the last four games and six of the last seven. In addition, since 2000, six of the seven Heisman Trophy winners who have been in the national championship game played for the losing side. That doesn’t bode well for Ingram and the Tide.
Key matchups
Javier Arenas • Alabama • CB » Dangerous return man (7 career TDs) and defensive force (5 sacks, 12 TFL) is big-play man for Tide.
vs.
Jordan Shipley • Texas • WR » All-America WR (106 catches, 11 TDs) with big-play potential as a punt returner (13.0 ypr, 2 TDs).
Terrence Cody • Alabama • NG » Can the gargantuan (6-5, 365) NG wreck the Texas offense like Ndamukong Suh did in Big 12 final?
vs.
Chris Hall • Texas • C » The 6-4, 295 three-year starter, a Big 12 second-team choice, will get plenty of help scaling “Mount Cody.”
Mark Ingram • Alabama • RB » Heisman winner had 1,864 yards, 18 TDs rushing and receiving, leading a solid, but unspectacular offense.
vs.
Colt McCoy • Texas • QB » Playing a BCS final in Pasadena worked out for another Texas QB, Vince Young. Can McCoy do same?
State of the teams
ALABAMA » The Crimson Tide survived a rugged schedule in the SEC, winning close games against Tennessee (12-10), LSU (24-15), and Auburn (26-21) before a near-perfect tour de force against Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
TEXAS » In a down year in the Big 12, the Longhorns were less than dominant. Their defense was exposed in a 49-39 regular season finale win at Texas A&M and their offense was impotent in a 13-12 win over Nebraska in the Big 12 title game.
Examiner predicts
Over the last month, Alabama has received awards and pats on the back for its domination of Florida in the SEC Championship Game, while Texas has been re-tooling since edging Nebraska in the Big 12 final. Who do you think has the mental edge?
Texas 28, Alabama 24
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