It’s been seventeen years and six days since the ‘92 edition of the Tide whipped Miami and put Gene Stallings on their shoulders to finish Alabama’s 12th National Championship. It’s been a long time coming, but now we’re a game away from number 13. Here’s how I think it’ll shake out.
I know there are a lot of things that could go wrong in this game. Colt McCoy could get loose early and often, and Shipley could go nuts in a zone secondary or through our suspect kickoff return coverage. Rolando might spend the game cramping up from his flu, or Tiffin could twist a knee on an early kickoff. They might never give Javier a chance to even field a punt return, and it’s possible our running game struggles like they did against Auburn’s committed run defense strategy. That’s not even to speak of freak turnovers. There’s a lot that could go wrong.
But, baby, there’s a whole heck of a lot that could go right, too. I feel great about our corners shutting down their receiving corp, and I hope for his safety and well-being that McCoy slides long before he meets Rolando McClain up close and personal. I think that we’ll not give an inch in the running game, and I feel great about keeping them in 3rd and long.
Offensively, I think our O-line is going to hold it’s own against the Texas D-line, especially as the game wears down. Ingram and Richardson are a great one-two punch. I love some Julio Jones, but Maze has really had my heart since A-Day, way back in the spring. As the season’s gone on, Colin Peek has convinced me, even if I was skeptical at first. McElroy may not bee the quarterback that McCoy is yet, but he’s got the tools at his disposal to put together a wicked multi-vector attack. We’re going to put some points on the board. The question is, what kind?
I think we’re going to have three field goals, and three TD’s. I think Texas will have a pair of TD’s, at least one set up in the return game. I think they’ll have a field goal to go with them, maybe two. You know I’m a homer, and I’ll not deny a heavy bias. I’m a fan, not a bookie.
Alabama 30 Texas 17
Roll Tide!!!
