While college football's "legit" National Championship is only hours away, we here at RSS have your meaty preview, that's hot off our grill! Let's look at all the matchups in tomorrow night's game to see who has the advantage. Will the title game be the blow out many are expecting, or does Texas have some Rose Bowl magic left? Find out, follow me!
Texas Offense vs. Alabama Defense
-This is the matchup that will decide the game in many pundits' eyes. The Longhorns have seen their QB Colt McCoy go from Heisman contender to early-season disappointment to late-season Heisman front-runner, to dud in the Big 12 title game. There's no consistent running threat and outside of Jordan Shipley, there aren't many playmakers for 'Bama's defense to worry about. Shipley has 106 catches, 58 more than the next closest Longhorn, James Kirkendoll. Meanwhile, Alabama doesn't boast a single player as dominant as Ndamukong Suh for Texas to worry about. But, as a whole, Nick Saban's defense will be the best Texas has played all season. With Mt. Cody in the middle and Butkus Award Winner Rolando McClain, the #1 scoring D in the country has the edge. Advantage-Alabama
Alabama Offense vs. Texas Defense
-The most overlooked matchup is Alabama's offense against the Texas defense, where, ironically, the Tide may have an even bigger edge. All attention will be on 'Bama's Heisman winner RB Mark Ingram. However, they have playmakers all over the field, especially in So WR Julio Jones. If QB Greg McElroy can come out with the same poise he showed in the SEC Championship, then 'Bama's offense should be just fine. You can expect Nick Saban will also prepare his offense to face the onslaught designed by one of his pupils, Texas D-coordinator Will Muschamp. Advantage-Alabama
Special Teams
-The FG kickers seem to be a wash, although a slight accuracy edge goes to Hunter Lawrence of Texas, not to mention the clutch kick he made to win the Big 12 title after Colt McCoy's near meltdown. The return game is also a wash between Texas's Jordan Shipley and 'Bama's Javier Arenas. If the game was on the line, I'd feel slightly more confident if I were the 'Horns, so they get the edge. Advantage-Texas
Coaching
-One coach, 'Bama's Nick Saban, is trying to treat the game as a business trip, drilling his players as if they were in boot camp. Meanwhile, Texas and Mack Brown have been enjoying the week and breathing in the experience of making it to the national championship. Of course, trying to get Nick Saban to have fun seems to be harder than getting Rush Limbaugh to support health care, but I digress. These philosophies add to the idea that Texas is the team with nothing to lose. They're the underdog, nobody is expecting them to win. Mack Brown already played the role perfectly to a tee when he upset USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl, and it looks like he's doing it again. Not to mention Alabama may have already peaked when they avenged last year's loss to Florida in the conference championship. Advantage-Texas
X-Factor/Karma/Destiny/Etc.
-So, that makes it two a piece in our tale of the tape. That leaves the winner up to the football gods. Texas has already won a national championship recently, but they're a clear underdog. If the BCS Championship has taught us anything recently, it's to be weary of the team playing with nothing to lose. However, this year bucks the trend. Nick Saban, although being a wet blanket, is a heck of a coach, and will know how to manage the game if the Tide don't get off to a hot start. Meanwhile, Texas, and QB Colt McCoy especially, will more closely resemble their unspectacular form against teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska than when they were running up the score against Wyoming and Baylor. Alabama's been the better team for the majority of the season, and they will be tomorrow night. Advantage-Alabama
The Pick: Alabama 26 Texas 17
What do you think of our final prediction of the college football season? Let us know what you think by tweeting us @RSS_Sports or leave a comment below. Stay with us for a humorous look at what could happen in the next decade in sports and your complete wild card preview. Until then, it's bye for now!
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