Roll Tide... ish

37-21 Bama.

Kinda what I’d hoped for, but not at all how I thought they’d get there. After Colt’s mystery shoulder/arm injury early in the game, it started going downhill. I fell for the hype of the Heisman candidate/winner matchup ESPN built up for at least a week. That game probably would have been better for validation purposes. It also would have been better if Carlos Dunlap hadn’t gotten drunk on a Monday night (?!), decided to drive (?!), and fell asleep behind the wheel at a light with the SEC Championship waiting at the end of the week, but instead been there to lead the Gator defense to kick Bama’s ass and put us in the title game where we belonged. (I’m not bitter at all.)

It may have been due to Colt’s absence, but Bama’s D stepped it up in the 2^nd quarter. Arenas’ int made me slightly less worried. Then the pick-6 by Darius to end the first half reassured me an SEC defense was on the field. The mystery of Colt’s potential return loomed, though, and of course all commentators cited that as the reason for the lead. Cause Bama didn’t hold the title of best defense in the country going into the game or anything…

The semi-comeback by Texas in the 3^rd with Gilbert’s 44 yard touchdown pass followed by a Texas-recovered onside kick gave me hope a real game could surface, and one would in the 4^th quarter. A bad kick by Tiffin and TD w/2 pt conversion for Texas on the next drive got them within 3. Bama’s D continued to step up, though. The blitz near the Texas endzone resulted in a fumble recovery to set up 1^st and goal and the nail in the coffin for Texas.

Ingram did well with 116 yds and 2 TDs despite the Heisman jinx. I have a ton of respect for Colt after his comments at the end of the game. He easily could have pulled a Matt Leinart, but instead he gave Alabama credit like a true athlete should in good sportsmanship. Stay classy, Colt. 

Though I'm sure ESPN will say it was mainly because Colt was taken out early, I'm still glad a fellow SEC team won, and wish we could replay sans injury to confirm our dominance. Congrats Saban, and till we meet again, Roll Tide.