FROM THE REAL ART SPORTS DESK
Alabama defeats Texas, rolls to first national title since 1992

From the AP via ESPN:

The Alabama 'D' knocked Texas quarterback Colt McCoy out of the Citi BCS Championship Game early, then made a big play late to stop a Longhorns comeback in a 37-21 victory Thursday that brought glory back to the program Bear built.

More here.

Okay, this was a bitter pill to swallow, so I don't really have much to say other than "this sucks." But I do have a couple of observations.

First, late in the regular season when it was starting to look like it was going to be Texas versus the SEC winner in the national championship game, I asserted to a bartender with whom I work when he told me that Alabama would beat Texas, that Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley could pick their great defense apart. I continue to maintain that position.

Second, the Texas defense played brilliantly, and would have played better if the Colt-less offense hadn't had so many three-and-outs. And that's not to knock backup QB Gilbert, who played about as well as a true freshman can play in a game like this. It's just that he's not Colt McCoy. At least, not yet.

The fact that Texas came within three points of tying it so late in the fourth quarter is someting of a moral victory in itself. But still. This hurt.


Texas quarterback Colt McCoy paces the sidelines during the third quarter.
Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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