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Roll Tide or Hook ‘em Horns?
Number 1 and Number 2 battle for the crystal football tonight in the 2009
College Football Season Finale. Currently Alabama is listed at -4.5 with the
total at 46. Alabama made a statement by rolling over Florida on their way to
this game. Texas, on the other hand, snuck in with a last second field goal and
win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Big 12 Championship game. Either way,
a win is a win, and both teams are undefeated. With TCU and Cincinnati going
down in their bowl games, Boise State is the only other team with no losses.
Once again, the Broncos did everything they could to prove that they belong in
the big game, but couldn't manage to get past the BCS. "What ifs" are
irrelevant, and tonight it's all about the Longhorns and Crimson Tide. Can
Texas repeat the Rose Bowl magic? They return to Pasadena, where Vince Young
and crew won a thrilling BCS Title against the USC Trojans in 2006.
Both teams playing tonight have seen their share of success in recent years,
and throughout their storied histories. Texas is 128-26 under Mack Brown in his
12 years. They have 4 overall national titles, 32 conference titles, and 2
Heisman Trophy winners.
Alabama is 32-8 in Nick Saban's 3 years. They have claimed 12 National
Championships and 26 conference titles. Mark Ingram's performance this year
gave the Crimson Tide their first Heisman Trophy winner. Ingram, who will
likely give Texas some trouble this evening, ran for 15 touchdowns and averaged
6.2 yards per carry this year.
Tonight's game will go to best defensive performance. Both teams bring
top-notch squads. Texas leads the country in rushing defense and ranks number 3
in total defense. On paper, at least, Alabama's defense looks even better.
Their clever, often tricky, defense leads the nation in scoring defense and is
2nd in total defense. The Longhorns look to have the better offense with 40.7
points per game, but only managed to score 13 points against the number 2
Nebraska defense. Both offensive squads will need to be flawless and on-point
to win this one. Check the score tomorrow, and you'll probably find that the
losing team was victim to 1 or more major turnovers.
Trends to consider:
The Longhorns have an 8-3 postseason
record under Mack Brown.
Alabama is 1-1 under Nick Saban in bowl
games.
Texas is 13-0 SU and 5-7-1 ATS this season.
Alabama is 13-0 SU and
8-5 ATS this season.
Pick: Expect to be entertained in a close one. Texas should
come within 4 points of Alabama. Take Texas +4.5 to beat the spread, but we
advise against picking the winner. This one might be decided by 3 or less.
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