Wednesday, December 16, 2009

BCS Analysis with Austin Sports Writer and Editor Andrew McNeill

Tuesday, ticket sales to the BCS National Championship game in Pasadena, Calif. opened to the general public. Many of the tickets sold out within minutes, leaving some fans desperate. "Who's not trying to get BCS tickets," said Dallas resident Courtney Standerfer.

But thousands of fans are struggling to find a way to the game that almost wasn't. Texas won the Big 12 Championship game against Nebraska by the skin of their teeth, by one point with only one second to go in the game. Texas players hoisted kicker Hunter Lawrence on their shoulders for booting the ball through the goal post for a field goal that gave Texas the lead.

Austin sports blogger and editor of ATX Sports, Andrew McNeill, expected exactly what the Longhorns delivered this season. "This team was designed to compete for a national title this season. They came very close to making the BCS National Title game last year, but that was just a bonus. This team was built to challenge for the title in 2009," he said.

A win is a win, but it's clear Nebraska put up a valid fight in their November 26 match-up against Texas. "The game wasn't necessarily Nebraska's game," said McNeill, adding that Texas had an inconsistent offense for a large portion of the season. He credits Nebraska's defensive tackel Ndamukong Suh for being the force that kept Texas from advancing during the game.

"The Big 12 title game was the first and only time I've watched Suh play, but that was the best performance by a defensive player in college football that I can remember," McNeill said. "He almost singlehandedly wrecked UT's offensive game plan. I'll definitely be watching the Holiday Bowl now, just to see him play again. But Texas' defense carried them in the Big 12 title game, which they did during several games this season."

With a defense as quick and disruptive as Alabama, who will face off with Texas during the January 7 BCS National Championship game, many sports critics favor the Crimson Tide, which brings new Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram with it. Ingram and his team upset number 1 Florida, which was considered to have one of the best defenses in the nation. The second best (until that game): Alabama.

In a December 14 ESPN column, Bruce Fielder writes, "Ingram ran for three TDs and more than 100 yards and pulled off arguably the game's biggest play: Right after UF scored, Ingram had a momentum-turning screen pass that became a huge gainer."

McNeill will be watching the national title game with enthusiasm. "I'm excited to see what happens in the National Title Game. I'm not sure what the betting line is, but I would imagine that Alabama is favored by a few points," he said. "Texas will have to run the ball with success early to avoid becoming one dimensional. If Texas has to pass the ball too much early, I think Alabama will win."

Nearly everyone on a blog called Argue with Everyone backs Alabama, but the tried and true Texas fans believe the Longhorns can pull it off. One blogger writes, "Mack Brown has one month to make adjustments, such as, create a rushing attack and incorporate nickel packages to stop Ingram. Throw in a few trick plays and Texas could win!"

McNeill wants to see Texas dominate, and a big party downtown. His prediction for the match-up: Texas 31, Alabama 28.

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