Alabama got the ball on its own 11 yard line with about a minute to go and a chance to win the game. But once again, the Crimson Tide line could not protect McCarron. He was sacked, he fumbled the ball, and Oklahoma scooped it up for another touchdown. So in the end, the Sooner fans had a pretty easy time of it tonight.
Oklahoma fans have suffered a lot of disappointment since they won the National Championship after the 2000 season. In the 2003 season, they lost the Sugar Bowl -- and the National Championship -- to LSU. In the 2004 season, they lost the Orange Bowl -- and the National Championship -- to USC. In the 2008 season, they lost the National Championship to Florida. Along the line, they also lost a Fiesta Bowl to Boise State, they had to watch Texas win the National Title in the 2005 season, and they had to watch the SEC win seven national championships in a row. These are hard tidings for a proud and noble fan base that believes, in its heart of hearts, that it has the best college football program in the country.
This has not been a banner year by OU standards. The Sooners were blown out by Texas, and they lost the Big XII title to Baylor. But they rallied in the last game of the season for a huge win against Oklahoma State, and that gave them a chance to play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide won national titles in the 2009, 2011, and 2012 seasons. Their fans have led the charge of SEC fans who insist their conference plays the best football. In other words, Alabama was where Oklahoma thinks it should be.
So this Sugar Bowl was a glorious opportunity for the Sooners to re-assert themselves, and to regain what they regard as their rightful place in the pecking order of college football. To add insult to injury, Alabama was installed as a 17-point favorite. But Oklahoma made the oddsmakers look foolish, as they dominated Alabama -- humiliating the Tide on both sides of the ball and leaving their fans with no alternative but to admit that Oklahoma was the better team.
Alabama fans will have many reasons to complain about the performance of their heroes tonight. They will claim that the team wasn't motivated -- that the heartbreaking loss to Auburn took the wind out of their sails -- that their coaches foolishly got away from the running game that was Alabama's only advantage. But if they are fair, the Alabama fans will admit that their team committed the unforgivable sin of Southern football -- they didn't play with as much intensity, passion, and intelligence as their opponents. And, as a result, they will not be taking the Unofficial College Football Championship back to Tuscaloosa. Instead, their all-time record in UCFC games falls to 29-14 -- and their record against OU falls to 1-3-1.
As for the Sooners, they have imitated Baylor's performance from last year -- taking the UCFC late in the season and then keeping it with a thumping bowl victory over a big-name opponent. The Sooners' UCFC record improves to 28-16-1, and Sooner fans can enjoy seeing this page in their colors for a long time to come. We will have to wait to see if Oklahoma can keep the title as long as Baylor did. In the meantime, we honor them for one of the best Sugar Bowl performances we have ever seen.
The Sooners will open the 2014 season on August 30 in Norman against Louisiana Tech. If the Good Lord is willing and the creeks don't rise, we will be watching.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Alabama 31 - 38 Oklahoma (2:44 left in 4th Quarter)
He got it. Pass interference on Alabama. First and 10 at the Alabama 38. Game over.
Alabama 31 - 38 Oklahoma (2:52 left in 4th Quarter)
With 2d and 8 from the Alabama 48, OU calls time. Knight runs for one yard, setting up a 3d and 7 with 2:47 to go. But Knight has been converting these all night, and I don't see why this next play should be any different.
Alabama 31 - 38 Oklahoma (3:23 left in 4th Quarter)
Once again, the Sooners are zipping down the field -- they are now out to the 50. They will soon have the points they need to clinch this game.
Personally, I thought Alabama should have gone for an onside kick after they scored that last touchdown. It was extremely unlikely that Alabama's defense would prevent OU from scoring, and one more score is all the Sooners need.
Personally, I thought Alabama should have gone for an onside kick after they scored that last touchdown. It was extremely unlikely that Alabama's defense would prevent OU from scoring, and one more score is all the Sooners need.
Alabama 31 - 38 Oklahoma (5:12 left in the 4th Quarter)
And there's the story of the game right there: on 3d and 9 from his own 13, Trevor Knight hits a 10-yard pass for a first down.
Earlier this season, Johnny Football showed that Alabama was vulnerable to a mobile quarterback. His defense couldn't do enough for Texas A & M to win. But Trevor Knight's defense has chipped in three turnovers, and that will probably be enough to hold the UCFC.
Earlier this season, Johnny Football showed that Alabama was vulnerable to a mobile quarterback. His defense couldn't do enough for Texas A & M to win. But Trevor Knight's defense has chipped in three turnovers, and that will probably be enough to hold the UCFC.
Alabama 31 - 38 Oklahoma (6:22 left in the 4th Quarter)
Alabama scores on a 61-yard pass to Derrick Henry, who has been their best player tonight. But now they have to give the ball back to Oklahoma.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Alabama 24 - 38 Oklahoma (9:03 left in 4th Quarter)
Alabama has two good running backs, Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon. Together, they have 21 carries for 159 yards -- an average of 7.6 yards per carry. But for reasons I don't understand, the Alabama coaching staff has very little interest in running the ball. They keep having A.J. McCarron try to throw instead. This worked for awhile, but McCarron has been completely overwhelmed by Oklahoma's blitzing attack. He has thrown two interceptions and been sacked six times -- not to mention a host of hurried passes and intentional grounding calls. In other words, rather than relying on its advantage -- the physical strength of its running game -- Alabama adopted a plan that played to Oklahoma's advantage -- its team speed.
The same thing has happened on the other side of the ball, where Oklahoma's speed has made Alabama's defense look like the Keystone Kops. Once again, Alabama has done well in the running phase of the game -- holding OU to 72 yards on 22 carries. But OU quarterback Trevor Knight is 29-40 for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Of course, we should also remember the difference in turnovers. According to some guy I found on the Internet, in 2012 NFL teams with a turnover difference of plus-2 went 43-10 -- a winning percentage of 81 percent. In tonight's game, Oklahoma had only one turnover -- an interception down the middle of the field in the first quarter. That turnover gave the ball to Alabama deep in its own territory -- it was basically like a punt. But Alabama had three turnovers, each of which was devastating:
1. After the OU interception, McCarron threw an interception of his own, giving the ball right back to the Sooners. On the next play, Knight threw his first touchdown pass of the game.
2. With the score tied at 17 and Alabama about to take the lead, T.J. Yeldon fumbled on the OU 8. A few plays later, the Sooners led 24-17.
3. Late in the first half, with the score 24-17, McCarron threw another interception that was returned all the way to the Alabama 13. On the next play, OU scored to take a 31-17 lead.
So OU has benefited from a two-turnover advantage, and the three Alabama turnovers led directly to 21 Oklahoma points. That is an almost impossible difference to overcome.
The same thing has happened on the other side of the ball, where Oklahoma's speed has made Alabama's defense look like the Keystone Kops. Once again, Alabama has done well in the running phase of the game -- holding OU to 72 yards on 22 carries. But OU quarterback Trevor Knight is 29-40 for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Of course, we should also remember the difference in turnovers. According to some guy I found on the Internet, in 2012 NFL teams with a turnover difference of plus-2 went 43-10 -- a winning percentage of 81 percent. In tonight's game, Oklahoma had only one turnover -- an interception down the middle of the field in the first quarter. That turnover gave the ball to Alabama deep in its own territory -- it was basically like a punt. But Alabama had three turnovers, each of which was devastating:
1. After the OU interception, McCarron threw an interception of his own, giving the ball right back to the Sooners. On the next play, Knight threw his first touchdown pass of the game.
2. With the score tied at 17 and Alabama about to take the lead, T.J. Yeldon fumbled on the OU 8. A few plays later, the Sooners led 24-17.
3. Late in the first half, with the score 24-17, McCarron threw another interception that was returned all the way to the Alabama 13. On the next play, OU scored to take a 31-17 lead.
So OU has benefited from a two-turnover advantage, and the three Alabama turnovers led directly to 21 Oklahoma points. That is an almost impossible difference to overcome.
Alabama 17 - 31 Oklahoma (Halftime)
Cade Foster -- who may be the worst kicker in Division 1-A -- misses a 32-yard field goal on the last play of the half, and OU takes a 14-point lead into the locker room. Given that OU gets the ball to start the second half, and that Alabama can't stop OU at all, I think you have to assume that the UCFC is going back to Norman.
Still, you have to give a lot of credit to Oklahoma. They have simply dominated Alabama's defense, and the Sooner defense has made enough big plays to keep the momentum when necessary. Sooner fans have lost a lot of big games in recent years, but their team is playing like champions tonight.
Still, you have to give a lot of credit to Oklahoma. They have simply dominated Alabama's defense, and the Sooner defense has made enough big plays to keep the momentum when necessary. Sooner fans have lost a lot of big games in recent years, but their team is playing like champions tonight.
Alabama 17 - 31 Oklahoma (56 seconds left in 2d Quarter)
An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed up Oklahoma's kicking team, and Alabama runs the kick out to the Alabama 45.
All credit to Oklahoma, who has clearly been the better team so far in this game. But this is a humiliating performance for Alabama. Their big-time quarterback has thrown two stupid interceptions. Their big-time running back fumbled the ball at the OU 8 yard line. And their big-time defense has looked like a gang of high schoolers. What an awful, awful performance. It reminds me of how Alabama played in the Sugar Bowl against Utah a few years ago.
All credit to Oklahoma, who has clearly been the better team so far in this game. But this is a humiliating performance for Alabama. Their big-time quarterback has thrown two stupid interceptions. Their big-time running back fumbled the ball at the OU 8 yard line. And their big-time defense has looked like a gang of high schoolers. What an awful, awful performance. It reminds me of how Alabama played in the Sugar Bowl against Utah a few years ago.
Alabama 17 - 31 Oklahoma (1:05 left in 2d Quarter)
And that's probably your ball game. On the first play after the interception, Oklahoma runs an end-around, and Sterling Shepard embarrasses the Alabama defense, trotting in for the score with almost no opposition.
Alabama 17 - 24 Oklahoma (1:12 left in 2d Quarter)
Facing 2d and 10 on the Oklahoma 48, A.J. McCarron completely loses his mind, and throws an interception to Zack Sanchez of Central H.S. in Keller, Tex. Sanchez takes the ball down to the Alabama 13.
Alabama 17 - 24 Oklahoma (2:59 left in 2d Quarter)
Well, that didn't take long. Trevor Knight, who is apparently the greatest quarterback of all time, hurls a 43-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Saunders, and the Sooners re-take the lead.
Alabama just can't stop Oklahoma, and the two turnovers by the Crimson Tide have killed them.
Alabama just can't stop Oklahoma, and the two turnovers by the Crimson Tide have killed them.
Alabama 17 - 17 Oklahoma (3:14 left in 2d Quarter)
Oklahoma converts the first down, and they now have a 1st and 10 at the Alabama 43.
This is a huge sequence in the game. The first half is almost over, and Oklahoma will get the ball to start the second half. Given how bad Alabama's defense has been so far, the Sooners have a great chance to score 14 points in a row and really seize control of the game.
This is a huge sequence in the game. The first half is almost over, and Oklahoma will get the ball to start the second half. Given how bad Alabama's defense has been so far, the Sooners have a great chance to score 14 points in a row and really seize control of the game.
Alabama 17 - 17 Oklahoma (3:29 left in 2d Quarter)
OU faces a 4th and 1 at the Alabama 45. Big play coming up, as the Sooners have decided to go for it.
Alabama 17 - 17 Oklahoma (5:26 left in 2d Quarter)
FUMBLE! Alabama was going straight down the field, when T.J. Yeldon fumbled the ball at the Oklahoma 8. Geneo Grissom of Hutchinson H.S. in Hutchinson, Kan. scooped up the ball and dashed out to the Oklahoma 34. A devastating turnover for Alabama.
Alabama 17 - 17 Oklahoma (11:45 left in 2d Quarter)
Alabama finally holds Oklahoma on third down, but not until the Sooners had advanced to the Alabama 30. Michael Hunnicutt boots a 47-yard field goal, and we're all tied again.
Alabama 17 - 14 Oklahoma (13:55 left in 2d Quarter)
Cade Foster's kickoff is really short, and Roy Finch runs it out to the OU 45. Good field position for the Sooners.
Alabama 17 - 14 Oklahoma (14:03 left in 2d Quarter)
But no! On 3d and 8 from his own 33, A.J. McCarron throws a perfect 67-yard pass to DeAndrew White, who simply outran his defender and then trotted into the end zone.
So Alabama has re-taken the lead, and the serve goes back over to Oklahoma. It's tempting to say that this looks like a Big XII game, but it also looks like the Alabama/Texas A & M game or the Auburn/Missouri game.
So Alabama has re-taken the lead, and the serve goes back over to Oklahoma. It's tempting to say that this looks like a Big XII game, but it also looks like the Alabama/Texas A & M game or the Auburn/Missouri game.
Alabama 10 - 14 Oklahoma (end of 1st Quarter)
On the last play of the first quarter, the Sooners sack McCarron, forcing Alabama into a 2d and 17 from its own 24. If the Tide has to punt, Oklahoma should soon have an 11-point lead.
Alabama 10 - 14 Oklahoma (1:53 left in 1st Quarter)
Another 3d down, another conversion. This time, on 3d and 5 from the Alabama 8, Knight hurls a touchdown pass to Jalen Saunders of Elk Grove, Calif. So far, there is not reason to believe that Alabama's defense can stop Oklahoma at all. Trevor Knight is 11-14 for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama 10 - 7 Oklahoma (3:25 left in 1st Quarter)
Oklahoma is on the move again. Trevor Knight is just shredding the Alabama defense. Facing a 3d and 10 from the Alabama 23, he simply ran a quarterback draw for the first down. So OU is now on the Alabama 13.
Alabama 10 - 7 Oklahoma (7:07 left in 1st Quarter)
Oklahoma's defense holds, and Alabama was forced to turn to Cade Foster (of Southlake Carroll H.S. in Southlake, Tex.), whose poor kicking against Auburn cost the Tide the chance to play for the National Championship. But this time Foster's 27-yard field goal is good, and the Tide have a 3-point lead. Given how Alabama's defense has looked so far, that lead may not hold up for long.
Alabama 7 - 7 Oklahoma (8:40 left in 1st Quarter)
And now here come the Tide. On second and 8 from the Alabama 27, McCarron hits DeAndrew White (of North Shore H.S. in Houston), who breaks a tackle and dashes all the way down to the OU 10.
Alabama 7 - 7 Oklahoma (9:43 left in 1st Quarter)
And now the game is really on. On first down after the interception, Trevor Knight (of Reagan H.S. in San Antonio, Tex.) hits a wide open Lacoltan Bester of Scooba, Miss. Bester goes all the way for a 45-yard touchdown, leaping into the end zone from about three yards out. Michael Hunnicutt (of Pearce H.S. in Richardson, Tex.) tacks on the extra point, and this game is tied.
Alabama 7 - 0 Oklahoma (9:54 left in 1st Quarter)
INTERCEPTION! Oklahoma made a couple of first downs, and then had a receiver open down the middle of the field -- but the pass was too high and tipped off the hands of the receiver. Landon Collins of Dutchtown H.S. in Geismar, La. then made a diving catch to give Alabama the ball on its own 24. Cries of S! E! C! ring out across the Superdome.
COUNTER INTERCEPTION! But on the very next play, A.J. McCarron throws a terrible pass that is intercepted by Gabe Lynn of Jenks H.S. in Tulsa, Okla. So the momentum shifts back to the Sooners.
COUNTER INTERCEPTION! But on the very next play, A.J. McCarron throws a terrible pass that is intercepted by Gabe Lynn of Jenks H.S. in Tulsa, Okla. So the momentum shifts back to the Sooners.
Alabama 7 - 0 Oklahoma (13:11 left in 1st Quarter)
Alabama doesn't look flat so far. The Tide take the opening kickoff and go 75 yards in only four plays to take the lead. The score came on a 1-yard run by T.J. Yeldon of Daphne H.S. in Daphne, Ala. The touchdown was set up by two big passes from A.J. McCarron (of Saint Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala.) to Amari Cooper (of Northwestern H.S. in Miami).
Uniform watch: Oklahoma and Alabama don't do alternative uniforms. Alabama is wearing crimson, Oklahoma is wearing white, and that's all you need to know.
Crowd watch: A huge, boisterous crowd -- as you would expect when two of the best fan bases in the country have the chance to spend New Year's in New Orleans.
THE SUGAR BOWL! THE UCFC! LIFE, MORE LIFE!
Uniform watch: Oklahoma and Alabama don't do alternative uniforms. Alabama is wearing crimson, Oklahoma is wearing white, and that's all you need to know.
Crowd watch: A huge, boisterous crowd -- as you would expect when two of the best fan bases in the country have the chance to spend New Year's in New Orleans.
THE SUGAR BOWL! THE UCFC! LIFE, MORE LIFE!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Alabama v. Oklahoma (Sugar Bowl)
After a few years in which the UCFC was dominated by the likes of Clemson, West Virginia, and Baylor, we now have a match-up between two of the most glamorous teams in all of college football. Consider these stats:
AP National Championships:
Alabama: 9 (1st all-time)
Oklahoma: 7 (3d all-time)
Total Wins:
Oklahoma: 841 (6th all-time)
Alabama: 838 (7th all-time)
Winning Percentage:
Oklahoma: .719 (4th all-time)
Alabama: .714 (7th all-time)
Weeks at AP No. 1:
Oklahoma: 101 (1st all-time)
Alabama: 71 (5th all-time)
UCFC Records:
Alabama: 29-13 (12th most victories in UCFC games)
Oklahoma: 27-16-1 (13th most victories in UCFC games)
Remarkably, these two teams have met only four previous times:
In 1963, Alabama beat Oklahoma 17-0 in the Orange Bowl.
In 1970, Alabama and Oklahoma played to a 24-24 tie in the Bluebonnet Bowl. (Do remember the Bluebonnet Bowl? I do. Ten points for anyone who can remember which city hosted the Bluebonnet Bowl.)
In 2002 and 2003, Alabama and Oklahoma played a home-and-home series. The Sooners won both games, beating Alabama 37-27 in Norman and 20-13 in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama and Oklahoma have never played for the UCFC.
I have no idea what's going to happen in this game. The last time we saw Alabama, the Tide were suffering one of the most heart-breaking losses in college football history -- a devastating loss at Auburn that cost Alabama a chance to play for the National Championship. The last time we saw Oklahoma, the Sooners pulled out a miraculous victory on the road against Oklahoma State to take the UCFC. So Alabama is playing in a lesser game than it expected, while the Sooners are playing in a bigger game than most folks expected. It's hard to say how this will affect the teams -- although it should be noted that the last time Nick Saban took Alabama to the Sugar Bowl, the Tide quickly fell behind Utah 21-0, and never recovered -- losing 31-17.
Vegas does not expect Saban and Alabama to come out flat this time. In fact, Alabama is favored by 17 points in a game with an over-under line of 51. That would translate into a 34-17 Alabama victory, and the return of the UCFC to the SEC.
AP National Championships:
Alabama: 9 (1st all-time)
Oklahoma: 7 (3d all-time)
Total Wins:
Oklahoma: 841 (6th all-time)
Alabama: 838 (7th all-time)
Winning Percentage:
Oklahoma: .719 (4th all-time)
Alabama: .714 (7th all-time)
Weeks at AP No. 1:
Oklahoma: 101 (1st all-time)
Alabama: 71 (5th all-time)
UCFC Records:
Alabama: 29-13 (12th most victories in UCFC games)
Oklahoma: 27-16-1 (13th most victories in UCFC games)
Remarkably, these two teams have met only four previous times:
In 1963, Alabama beat Oklahoma 17-0 in the Orange Bowl.
In 1970, Alabama and Oklahoma played to a 24-24 tie in the Bluebonnet Bowl. (Do remember the Bluebonnet Bowl? I do. Ten points for anyone who can remember which city hosted the Bluebonnet Bowl.)
In 2002 and 2003, Alabama and Oklahoma played a home-and-home series. The Sooners won both games, beating Alabama 37-27 in Norman and 20-13 in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama and Oklahoma have never played for the UCFC.
I have no idea what's going to happen in this game. The last time we saw Alabama, the Tide were suffering one of the most heart-breaking losses in college football history -- a devastating loss at Auburn that cost Alabama a chance to play for the National Championship. The last time we saw Oklahoma, the Sooners pulled out a miraculous victory on the road against Oklahoma State to take the UCFC. So Alabama is playing in a lesser game than it expected, while the Sooners are playing in a bigger game than most folks expected. It's hard to say how this will affect the teams -- although it should be noted that the last time Nick Saban took Alabama to the Sugar Bowl, the Tide quickly fell behind Utah 21-0, and never recovered -- losing 31-17.
Vegas does not expect Saban and Alabama to come out flat this time. In fact, Alabama is favored by 17 points in a game with an over-under line of 51. That would translate into a 34-17 Alabama victory, and the return of the UCFC to the SEC.
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