BCS Championship Preview & Pick
Finally, it’s time. Say what you want about the Texas Longhorns’ right to play in the BCS Championship game, but the bottom line is that the matchup pits the nation’s top two ranked teams against each other. Ideally, that will make for an exciting football betting matchup.
CLICK HERE NOW TO VIEW THIS WEEKS BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HANDICAPPERS —–>
Let’s break down the big game.
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP
(1) Alabama Crimson Tide vs (2) Texas Longhorns
Team records:
Texas: 13-0 SU, 5-7-1 ATS
Alabama: 13-0 SU, 8-5 ATS
Date/Odds:
Thursday, January 7, 2010, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook favorite: Alabama -4
After Alabama toppled Tim Tebow and the favored Florida Gators in the SEC title game, which many pundits viewed as the “real” national championship game, the message to the rest of the BCS contenders was clear: it’s Alabama, then the rest.
The Crimson Tide do most of their offensive damage via Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram in the running game. Ingram ran for 1,542 yards and 15 scores this season. Most importantly, he came up huge in crunch time with 118 yards and three touchdowns against Florida. Greg McElroy fills the roll of caretaker admirably; he threw 17 touchdown passes versus just four interceptions this season. His ability to take care of the ball is a trait Alabama doesn’t take for granted.
Against Texas, Ingram has an even tougher test than Florida gave him, as Texas boasts the country’s best run defense, allowing an itty bitty 62.3 yards per game; that’s 16 fewer yards than any other team. If McElroy can’t establish the passing game and hook up with Julio Jones for some big plays, you can bet Florida will stack the box against Ingram.
That Alabama held Florida to 13 points tells you how strong the Crimson Tide’s defense is. They ranked No. 2 in the nation, including second against the run. ’Bama will lean on outstanding linebacker Rolando McClain to assess Texas’ offensive schemes and that’s no easy task considering what Texas brings to the table.
The Longhorns lack a go-to power runner like Ingram but, unlike Alabama, they have a Heisman-caliber quarterback. Colt McCoy threw 27 touchdown passes and completed over 70 per cent of his passes this year. He was also second on the team with 348 rushing yards. Jordan Shipley, who caught 106 passes this year, gives Texas a consistent receiving threat that Alabama can’t match.
On paper, you could argue this matchup is somewhat close, but how many people out there truly believe Texas belongs in this game with Alabama? The Longhorns had more than enough trouble beating Nebraska and now face a team that matches them in defensive ferocity and brings a much more balanced and efficient offensive attack to the table. I think Alabama covers – easily.
I’m not the first person to say that this game may pale in comparison to the other battle of undefeateds – TCU vs Boise State.
Trends:
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 6 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Pick: Alabama -4
This bowl season get all your BCS National Championship live online sports betting & college football betting lines, odds and props at Bodog Sportsbook.
Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
