If you haven't paid attention to college football all season, that's perfectly understandable.
After all, we've got the Pats, Bruins and Celtics to root for. And way back when the college season started, the Red Sox were foremost in our collective sports minds. However, tonight we can put aside our provincial ways and watch a game most of the nation has been talking about for weeks — the BCS national college football championship.
And what a great matchup it is — top-ranked Alabama and second-ranked Texas. Both teams are unbeaten and the winner will be the national champion. No need to scream for a playoff this year — unless you happen to live in Idaho where fellow unbeaten Boise State plays. However, comparing Boise State to either of these two teams is like comparing the Pawtucket Red Sox to the Boston Red Sox — they don't even play in the same league.
So without further ado, here are five reasons why even the most casual fan will want to check out tonight's game.
1) Alabama running back Mark Ingram
The sophomore running back just won the Heisman Trophy, the first ever for Alabama. He ran for a school record 1,542 yards and 15 touchdowns. And he came up big when it counted the most, running for three TDs against Florida in the SEC title game which amounted to a national semifinal. He's a versatile runner who can run over or around defenders. He's easy to root for, a classy kid who came from a tough upbringing in Flint, Mich., His dad, ex-New York Giants star receiver Mark Sr., will be watching tonight from prison.
2) Texas QB Colt McCoy
The Longhorns QB is the other big star in this game. A Heisman finalist this year and last, he passed for 3,512 yards and 27 TDs and hit over 70 percent of attempts the year. McCoy, a deeply religious fellow, comes off as the real McCoy as opposed to Florida QB Tim Tebow, who seems a little overbearing. McCoy hails from Tuscola, Texas, a town of 728, almost all of whom have his autograph.
3) Checking out the NFL talent
Part of the fun of watching college football is scouting players who you wish the Patriots had.
Keep your eyes on Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain, who Mel Kiper has going 10th in the 2010 draft, wide receiver Julio Jones and 354-pound defensive lineman Terrence Cody. NFL scouts think Cody could fall into the second round where the Pats might take him as a Vince Wilfork replacement.
Texas receiver Jordan Shipley, McCoy's roommate, will remind you of Wes Welker. Defensive back Earl Thomas won't remind you of any Patriot secondary member — he's better than all of them now! Thomas has eight interceptions.
4) The college atmosphere
College football blows away pro football for fan excitement and pageantry. It will be on display tonight when these two historic programs collide for the first time since the 1982 Cotton Bowl.
What makes this matchup even better is it will be played in the Rose Bowl, the best college stadium in the country. Texas will be hoping history repeats itself. The last time the Longhorns played here (Jan. 4, 2006), Vince Young led them to a national title with a 41-38 win over USC in one of the greatest college games ever played.
5) The game itself
This shapes up as a close one but Alabama rates a slight edge. Any team that emerges unbeaten in the SEC is a force while Texas could coast at times in the weaker Big 12.
Alabama QB Greg McElroy has improved greatly over the season and is capable of taking the pressure off Ingram.
The Texas offensive line is suspect, allowing nine sacks in the Big 12 title game against Nebraska. Alabama coach Nick Saban, a Bill Belichick disciple, will find a way to spring McClain and the rest of his star-studded defense to make life miserable for McCoy. The Crimson Tide will post their first national title since 1992 and the state of Alabama will be pumped up with college football pride.
The prediction: Alabama 27, Texas 23
Tonight's Matchup
What: BCS national championship game
Where: Pasadena, Calif.
Who: No. 1 Alabama (13-0) vs. No. 2 Texas (13-0)
When: 8 p.m., (Chs. 5,9)
Latest line: Alabama favored by 4
Longhorn luminaries: Colt McCoy (3,512 yards, 27 TDs, 70.5 completion percent), Jordan Shipley (106 catches, 1,363 yards, 11 TDs)
Tide terrors: Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram (249 carries, 1,542 yards, 15 TDs), Greg McElroy (2,450 yards, 17 TDs, 61.1 completion percentage), Julio Jones (42 catches, 573 yards, 4 TDs)
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