Texas Does Actually Have A Chance Tonight

Are both teams likable? Yes. But does Alabama play in the SEC? Yes. ... TUP previews the BCS championship...


You've heard the reasons why Texas doesn't have a chance against No. 1 Alabama in the title game tonight. Allow me to recap with an enraged Southern accent.

• TAX-US CAN'T MOOV THE BAWL! NEBRASKUH SHUT 'EM DOWN IN THE BEG TWELLVE TAHTLE GAYME!
• THE ESS EEE SEE IS UN-DEE-FEATED IN THE NASHUNAL TAHTUL! FAHHV AND OH!
  
• 'BAMA BEAT FLAHRDUH -- THEY'UR CLEARLEE THE BEST TEAM IN CAHLEDGE FOOTBAWL!
• RICKY STANZI

So, that's basically the gist. The weird thing is, most of those arguments are pretty legit. Another thing people forget: Texas did not play a single BCS team outside of conference. Yeah, very, very pathetic.

Doc Sat sez: "I respect Texas, but it hasn't even played anyone in Florida's ballpark, much less blown them out."

Shanoff sez: "This game won't be close. I have Alabama winning 34-13 -- the score might be closer than 21 points, but the game won't feel that way."

Still, I think they have a chance tonight for a few vague reasons.

1) Don't let the last impression weigh too heavily: Despite not playing real teams out of conference, Texas did play some real teams inside conference, and they played them quite well. They pasted Kansas and Okie State (on the road)... both by 25+. Their tight games against Oklahoma and Texas A&M are a bit of a concern -- but both were rivalry games. And sometimes the cliche about "throwing out the records when these two teams play" actually proves true.


Yes, Texas did get Suh'd in the Big 12 title game. But no one in the country plays defense like Nebraska. Some teams come close -- Alabama is one of those teams. But as bad as Texas looked, they did win that game. And that should count for something.

2) There are no great teams in college football this year: In a year where Florida was supposed have a chance to finish as the "best college football team of all-time," it's kind of ironic that so many teams ended up as "really good, but not great."

Texas and Alabama both fit that description. McCoy can sling the rock, Alabama can D up, but neither team is complete. It's kind of how it always is in college... and to a lesser extent, the NFL. Every football team has a weak unit that can be exploited in some way.

What I'm saying is, if I told you Texas went up 10-0 or 14-0, how comfortable would you feel about Alabama's comeback chances? Alabama QB Greg McElroy has played pretty well this year, but he's not a game-changer quite yet. McCoy definitely is. He can keep your team in the game with his passing and also extend drives with his legs.

Heisman winner Mark Ingram looked great against Florida... but is it crazy to think Texas might be able to stop him? Their defensive front is capable -- it's just about executing that gameplan successfully. Not a major stretch.

3) Don't underestimate the 'Bama letdown: 'Bama beat Florida. They dominated them. It was great. We made fun of Florida. That was great, too. But you never know if getting over that hump is going to cause a psychological letdown in the national title. Florida was the class of the SEC, and Alabama topping them had to have shellshocked not just their state, but the entire region.

College football is so god damned huge in the South, and 'Bama essentially exploded the Death Star.

(In this metaphor, either Urban or Tebow is Darth Vader... your call, really)

4) Blue chippers: It's easy to get caught up in the myth of SEC speed or the myth of Alabama's totally superior talent, but don't sleep on Texas' talent. They're loaded, too. This isn't Cincinatti vs. Florida, here. Texas has, like, the best run defense in the country.

* * *

Does Mack Brown have the most racist sounding voice you've ever heard? Sure. Is Colt McCoy a little too religious? Of Course. But will Texas get blown out? I just don't think so. They're probably not going to crush Alabama, but writing Texas off before this game even begins is foolish.

Hook 'em. Or something.