Sports Thread #1 For 1/7/10: The BS National Championship, Sponsored By Bailout Citi

Image from ESPN

With all do respect to the supporters and sympathetic figures of the Boise State Broncos (including myself), a "national champion" for the 2009-2010 season will be revealed in front of our eyes tonight as undefeateds Alabama and Texas will clash. The game is sponsored by a Bailed out bank, which also has a BailoutField in Queens, New York.

After coming within one second of blowing their chance to be here in Pasadena in the Big 12 Title Game, Mack Brown's team come into this contest as clear underdogs. However, history is on the side of Texas here at the Rose Bowl, as they sport not only a 7-0-1 record over Alabama in the past 107 years, as well as winning the national title game last held here in similar circumstances. The heroics of Vince Young in overcoming powerhouse USC four seasons ago is first in the mind of Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley, and the rest of those 5th or 6th year seniors on the Longhorns side.

But the reality of the matter speaks for Nick Saban's outlet hosting the programs first national title since 1992. Not only buoyed by the devastating rushing duo of Heisman winner Mark Ingram and fantastic freshman Trent Richardson, the Crimson Tide's favorite status in this ultimate game is due in part also to the national's best defense. The trio of Terrence Cody, Roland McCain, and Javier Arenas anchor a fearsome roadblock to any offense's success.

The keys of the game
Special teams: For Texas to pull off what will be an upset in most eyes, winning the battle of field position and punt coverage against the dangerous return ability of Arenas is paramount. Going long lengths of the field against this defense is a massive ask, especially for an offense that has been contained or dominated against quality defenses this year.

Can Texas defense make Greg McElroy beat him: Sergio Kendell and the front 7 seven of Texas most somehow contain not only Ingram, but also Richardson, in order to put the game in the hands of McElroy. The Alabama quarterback, who has yet to lose a game in high school and college, was stellar in the SEC Championship against Florida with the ball in his hands. Somehow someway, even with the weapons of Julio Jones, Marquis Maze, and Colin Peek, Will Muschamp's defense has to be able to make Alabama one dimensional to win.

Who will be McCoy's options: As evidence by the Big 12 game, Texas really has lacked a true number two receiver all season long to offset the attention put on the diligent Shipley. Both Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll had been growing as legit other options for McCoy, until the Nebraska defense shut them and Shipley down over a month ago. Just as with special teams and contained the run of the Tide, Texas must also have a few of their other receivers step up tonight and have big games if they wan to win.

But I don't believe they will be able to do all of three things they need to do here, and I believe Nick Saban's will roll the Tide to an undefeated season, and a national championship where I don't think Boise State could say they aren't the best team in the national this year.

(Though they obviously deserve a chance instead of this BS system.)

Just a few random things to note: If you haven't been following these teams closely, you will notice that multiple guys on each team where the same number. Since there are so many skill players (and other players who want typical "skill players" numbers) who want to wear the same number, the problem has lead to some casual followers and even hard core fans being confused. But less, it's allowed in the NCAA rules.

So, that is why you will see Alabama's CB Kareem Jackson and RB Trent Richardson wear #3, while Colt McCoy and Earl Thomas will spot #12 for the Longhorns.

Expect not to hear the word "Boise State" at all tonight. With ESPN/ABC getting the BCS coverage back now after Fox's contact has ended, they will surely want to make sure their product does not take any more criticism and all of how stupid it is.
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