Patterico's Pontifications

Have no deep feeling for either team.

TCU would beat TX

BSU would beat Bama

so f off BCS!!! 🙂

TC (0b9ca4) — 1/7/2010 @ 5:34 pm

“I don’t care” about the ‘Horns or ‘Tide?

Oh, the humanity!

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 5:35 pm

But for you DRJ

Horns

TC (0b9ca4) — 1/7/2010 @ 5:37 pm

VT slaughtered Tn, that was the end of the season.

Scrapiron (4e0dda) — 1/7/2010 @ 5:37 pm

I vote for Alabama only because it’s named in a song I like.

nk (df76d4) — 1/7/2010 @ 5:45 pm

This one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A0wGO3c2T8

nk (df76d4) — 1/7/2010 @ 5:49 pm

As an Alabama fan, I gotta yell Roll Tide!

tjwilliams (831c6e) — 1/7/2010 @ 6:08 pm

Arg.

Not looking good at all.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 7:12 pm

What a disappointment. Texas loses McCoy on the first possession. You wait for the big game for weeks and now it’s hardly a game. It’s only a question of how big the final margin will be.

Gerald A (da888e) — 1/7/2010 @ 7:16 pm

But what does the loss of our quarterback have to do with this terrible defense?

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 7:45 pm

How sad for Colt McCoy. He worked for years to get to this goal and to have it snatched away without a chance to compete is a shame.

I’m sure it will help McCoy to talk to Sam Bradford. They are both fine young men and I’m sure he’s already called with encouragement.

DRJ (84a0c3) — 1/7/2010 @ 7:45 pm

I think Texas is disillusioned at losing McCoy. He was not only their quarterback, he was their leader.

DRJ (84a0c3) — 1/7/2010 @ 7:47 pm

Texas’ receivers aren’t helping much. Gilbert’s had 4 dropped passes, counting the shovel pass that the receiver bobbled and got grabbed for a TD by Bama and another which should have been a TD. Guess they haven’t heard of rallying round the backup QB.

Gerald A (da888e) — 1/7/2010 @ 7:57 pm

Alabama gets away with pass interference two plays in a row at the critical point in the game

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:25 pm

But for the disaster at the end of the first half we would still be in the game.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:27 pm

The last present mom got my little nephew person was a ball Mr. McCoy autographed. It makes me root for him when otherwise I’d not pay a lot of attention cause of the apathy and also the ennui.

happyfeet (e9e587) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:29 pm

With Colt hurt,

GO TEXAS!!!!

And yes the rest of the team needs to step it up not do what they can to throw it away.

That young man has got to going through hell! He will do some growing tonight! My hats off to him.

TC (0b9ca4) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:33 pm

Well by gawd, we gots ourselfs a football game happening here!!!!

TC (0b9ca4) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:37 pm

We’d be ahead without the damn shovel pass. But we’re within a field goal!

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:44 pm

No matter what happens, you gotta give some credit to the freshman.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:46 pm

What’s the score?

daleyrocks (718861) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:54 pm

Yuck.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:54 pm

24-21.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:55 pm

31-21. It’s over.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:56 pm

Gilbert played better than you could have ever hoped. It is an absolute shame that Colt got hurt early, and he did not get the chance to finally compete for the national title.

Congrats, Alabama. They just play disciplined solid foot ball. They are not flashy or showy, they just play ball, well.

JD (c26e0b) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:57 pm

Watching on a delay and assuming the extra point.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:57 pm

Nice job by Gilbert.

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:58 pm

Just to be clear, Saban is a mendoucheous twatwaffle.

JD (c26e0b) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:59 pm

That fumble was a tough break. Texas had made a great effort to get back in it. Still 2 minutes left.

MD in Philly (d4668b) — 1/7/2010 @ 8:59 pm

Except for that interception …

Patterico (eb9193) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:01 pm

Yep. One turnover in the last 2 minutes is one thing. Two turnovers were just two much. Even Kenny “the Snake” Stabler couldn’t pull that one off.

While we are at it, does anyone know what kind of disability insurance college athletes can carry? When someone decides to stay in school for another year, even when they could make a go of the pros, they obviously are risking a career-ending/altering injury before they have a chance to sign a pro contract. Can they get insurance based on potential earnings?

MD in Philly (d4668b) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:12 pm

Colt McCoy just gave one of the classiest interviews I have seen in a long long long time. He is a credit to his parents, to be sure.

JD (c26e0b) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:12 pm

MD – Short answer, yes. Lloyd’s of London is one of the companies that will underwrite such a policy. I have not seen a policy like that’s terms, but they are available.

JD (c26e0b) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:15 pm

How many times did I have to hear about some guy’s fabulous, supportive father who just happens to be in prison.

Can’t we just not mention it. Aren’t we supposed to be ashamed of it? He talks to his son and gives him advice from behind the walls of prison.

I think that Brent Mushburger was putting a spin on it. But why?

Alta Bob (e8af2b) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:16 pm

I served in the Army and I went to a junior college. I think college sports are a waste of taxpayer dollars and set up their athalete’s for failure. If I did not attend a school or did not know somebody at the school, I would not care what “my” team did. How many of these guys will graduate? How many will graduate with a legit major? Don’t get me wrong- the atheletes sacrafice for us. Imagine losing this game… you might have to bang a fat chick. Oh, the humsnity.

Pat (92a7a7) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:24 pm

Humsnity= humanity

Pat (92a7a7) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:31 pm

When Bush played for U of L a few years ago and opted to stay one more year we heard a lot about an insurance package his father purchased for him, Lloyds of London, several million dollars if he suffers a career ending injury from a game or school event. He did end up breaking his leg but came back to play for the New Orleans Saints so no payout.

Allen (6fd76b) — 1/7/2010 @ 9:36 pm

Thanks for the answers, JD and Allen.

Alta Bob, had they not said anything about it, some would wonder, “there’s his mom, where’s his dad?”

Now in one way what people watching television are thinking is of little consequence. Perhaps the athlete himself wanted it told that “my dad is behind me too”. Let’s hope there was at least some intention that was good and not simply trying to use it for something to talk about.

MD in Philly (d4668b) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:17 pm

As JD and Allen mentioned, college athletes can purchase insurance policies against injuries. Put yourself in the shoes of the insurance underwriter, however, and you will quickly see that the premiums are necessarily pretty high. I am not an actuary, but I would think that an insurance company would demand a premium of at least $100-150k for every $1 million dollars of insurance taken out. It becomes a pretty good deal if you are a first round draft choice and can get a signing bonus of $2-3 million (or more), but if you are a later round pick it might not be all that worthwhile.

JVW (8704f2) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:26 pm

JVW-

Thanks for your good point. I can see how Archie Manning could have afforded it, but others? Do some of these folks go to a bank and get their insurance financed so they can pay it back either when injured or when sign a pro contract?

MD in Philly (d4668b) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:31 pm

Comment by Pat — 1/7/2010 @ 9:24 pm

Pat, you should look up Pete Dawkins, USMA.

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:32 pm

“‘Tide drowns ‘Horns!”

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:33 pm

I actually do not think that the premiums are cost prohibitive. They can generally borrow against likely future earnings, and not just everyone can purchase these kinds of policies. There are all sorts of provisions, projected draft status, limitations, etc … If I remember correctly, Willis McGehee had a policy, and when he got hurt in the national championship game against Ohio State, there was significant debate in his camp as to whether or not they should even utilize the coverage, as the payout could prevent him from returning to professional football for a specific period of time.

JD (636015) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:42 pm

Yeah, but I think they got away with this one, AD. Three and half minutes, field goal to tie, TD to win, and then BOOM! Blind-sided, fumble, turnover — TD the other way, one series later.

Great Def for ‘bama.

The remaining interceptions, sad for Texas, but not totally unexpected. Bama knew the Longhorns had to pass, QB was not the starter, and he had no choice but to force plays. Not a good combination when climbing uphill.

Also agree with JD — the Texas starting QB gave the classiest post-game interview I have ever heard.

Pons Asinorum (b200bb) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:48 pm

Don’t know…didn’t watch the game…had a meeting.
Saw the score, and just came up with the lede.
Sorry.
But, I’ve always liked the ‘Tide, had a lot of respect for Bear.

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:53 pm

AD- Agreed. Dawkins graduated West Point and served in the 82d, and he could most likely beat me to death. He graduated with an actual degree and no ESPN jocks ever fretted over him. I admit I am being a bit of an a-hole, but I do not consider atheletes. especially “college” atheletes to be heroes.

Pat (92a7a7) — 1/7/2010 @ 10:56 pm

It was a fine game. Congratulations to Alabama and its fans as the undisputed national champions. The officiating miscues fall into the “harmless error” category overall, and although I think Texas with McCoy might well have been proved the better team, without him Texas clearly was not, and “woulda-coulda-shoulda” takes home no crystal championship trophies.

The only people who should be embarrassed are those who confidently (arrogantly in some cases) insisted that Texas didn’t deserve to be there and that ‘Bama would crush them.

Ditto what JD said (#25 & #32 above). The emotions that cascaded over McCoy’s face in that post-game interview was incredibly poignant, but then when he visibly mastered his feelings, he spoke articulately, graciously, humbly, and devoutly. His photo could be in the dictionary next to the definition of “class act.” And young Gilbert has nothing to be ashamed of.

The interview with Ingram Sr. from prison was very off-putting. Sure, even career criminals can love their children and vice versa. We don’t choose our parents, and Ingram Jr. isn’t responsible for Ingram Sr.’s crimes, and I’ll take on faith that Ingram Sr. has been, at least at times, an emotionally supporting and loving father. But whatever he may be to his own son, Ingram Sr. is no role model, and I thought the TV coverage’s focus on him was actually unfair insofar as it distracted from and may even have tended to tarnish unfairly the rest of the Alabama football team.

As a Texas alum and fan, I’m damned proud of the ‘Horns, for their whole season and for their efforts tonight. Hook ’em!

Beldar (be96fb) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:02 pm

Comment by Pat — 1/7/2010 @ 10:56 pm

Did you notice Dawkin’s class ranking?
IIRC, he graduated first in his class, and retired with stars on his collar – a stellar individual, scholar, athlete, soldier.
And, over at the USNA, we can’t forget Roger Staubach.

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:07 pm

David Robinson

JD (636015) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:12 pm

AD, I agree that he was a great man, and I do not mean to be a jerk on this point. I have no problem with the idea of college sports or bowl games. I rent my office from a guy who played basketball for Cal and served in the Navy. I am just puzzled by people who cheer for a school they never went to. And it does bother me that guys who will never graduate are allowed to represent a school. Does West Point recruit guys to play for them who will never become officers? The Army has an “Exceptional Athlete Program” but the athletes still have to be Soldiers first. I think we should have something like the Canadian junior hockey program. We can all stop pretending that these guys are student athletes and we can compensate them and prepare them for a future career. But hey, I am open to any ideas. And perhaps I was just being a d-bag in my comments earlier. I guess I just want to hang out with some of those cheerleaders.

Pat (92a7a7) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:36 pm

#45 — AD, I loved the Bear too (and I am not even a ‘bama fan).

BTW: only saw the last half myself 😉

Pons Asinorum (b200bb) — 1/7/2010 @ 11:55 pm

You might enjoy the The Junction Boys, AD.

DRJ (84a0c3) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:02 am

Pat & Pons…
I root for Army against Navy, and for Navy against Army, for I am rooting for the best of America and the men and women who will stand the line for me against that which lies outside the wire.
The Brits were fond of saying that the Empire was built on the playing grounds of Sandhurst (at least I think I’ve got that right), and I think that the discipline and resolve found in competitive sports of any kind have led to the exemplary leadership found in our Military.
Now, that doesn’t excuse the old-boy/ring-knocker/perfumed-princes, but every large orginization has its dunces who avoid the penalties of up-or-out.
I am reminded of something a read/viewed this week, that military life exacts a terrible price (oh, it was in a William McGurn OpEd on WSJ-Online):
In business, when you screw up, the business loses money; in the Army (etc), when you screw up, people die. That tends to focus the mind.
Most of our current crop of politicians, never having served, do not have a firm grasp on that reality. Their greatest occupational fear is a paper-cut, or laryngitis.

It is for these same reasons that I admired Bear Bryant: He brooked no foolishness, demanded that everyone contribute to the best of their ability, and emphasized the importance of team-work over individual accomplishment. And, he didn’t seem to be the bully that Woody Hayes was.

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:14 am

Comment by DRJ — 1/8/2010 @ 12:02 am

An interesting story. Jack Pardee lived here in Downey when he was with the Rams. A fine individual.
Several days over 100…oh my, they should have been with me in Peshawar…I remember three weeks over 100 the summer of ’64, with the official top of 118, in the shade.

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:22 am

AD – Since my little bro played football at the Air Force Academy, I cheer for them over Army and Navy.

JD (636015) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:27 am

And we were both in the AF, but I grew up rooting for those other guys; like Doc Blanchard, for one.
The problem, at least in the early AFA days, was that it was hard to get really good linemen who could fit into the cockpit of a B-52, let alone an F-100.

AD - RtR/OS! (88245d) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:32 am

AD – RtR/OS! – The Brits were fond of saying that the Empire was built on the playing grounds of Sandhurst…

Close enough – Eton history

Scrutineer (e1f362) — 1/8/2010 @ 5:44 am

When Colt McCoy went down, Texas didn’t have an experienced second string quarterback who could step in and run the team with confidence. What they did have was a pretty good freshman signal caller who, although he played better then might be expected, could not replace McCoy at quarterback against Alabama in a BCS championship game. To believe otherwise is wishful thinking.

The Texas coaching staff failed to maintain a quality back-up for McCoy, and that failure likely cost Texas a national championship.

ropelight (83de47) — 1/8/2010 @ 6:53 am

@53 — AD, well said. I really enjoyed that, thanks.

Pons Asinorum (b200bb) — 1/8/2010 @ 10:07 am

> TCU would beat TX – BSU would beat Bama

In your dreams. UF might beat TX, can’t beat Bama, but would kick TCU’s butt and def. beat BSU.

BSU certainly did better than I expected but they hardly showed that they were the best team in the nation.

Texas was impressive, but Bama controlled them early and would likely have continued playing with the same kind of determination had the game not looked so clearly over.

Kudos, of course, to Texas for not giving in, but Bama turned it back up a notch when Texas began to seriously threaten…

It was a good season all around, and I believe that BSU HAS made a serious case for themselves, and, with VTech, Oregon St., and the final bowl game on their schedule (though I’d prefer a fourth non-patsy team, pref. from the Big 12 and/or the SEC) they should be in a position, should they win out, to get a chance at the title.

OBloodyhell (7f9daa) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:49 pm

> Their greatest occupational fear is a paper-cut, or laryngitis.

It used to be tar and feathers. I vote for a return to the old ways.

As Robert Heinlein noted:

A monarch should always have their neck in a noose. It keeps ’em upright.

This should be true in all politics, not just kingly tales.

OBloodyhell (7f9daa) — 1/8/2010 @ 12:53 pm

ropelight,

Texas had an excellent back-up quarterback in Jevan Snead but he wasn’t getting enough playing time at Texas behind McCoy so he transferred to Ole Miss, where he has excelled.

DRJ (84a0c3) — 1/8/2010 @ 1:11 pm

Alabama gets away with pass interference two plays in a row at the critical point in the game

Comment by Patterico — 1/7/2010 @ 8:25 pm

But for the disaster at the end of the first half we would still be in the game.

Comment by Patterico — 1/7/2010 @ 8:27 pm

YES and YES! Fun game anyway. And met Mr. Rove and Ms. Bailey- Hutchinson!

LASue (5f0073) — 1/8/2010 @ 1:57 pm

#62, DRJ, thanks for the link. It seems Snead left Texas at the end of the 2006 season, had to sit out 2007, and has started at Ol’ Miss for the last two years.

Certainly, Texas tried to find a suitable back-up for McCoy during that period. It must be quiet a story of repeated high hopes which came to nought.

ropelight (0cfa03) — 1/8/2010 @ 3:56 pm

1/7/2010

Texas Longhorns vs Alabama Crimson Tide (Update: Alabama Wins)

64 Responses to “Texas Longhorns vs Alabama Crimson Tide (Update: Alabama Wins)”

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