We told you we were going to milk this bastard. For Carolina fans — try a 10-win season, you might like it. For Clemson fans — try getting into the national championship hunt in an era when white belts weren’t in style. In the words of the best of the Southeastern Conference (winners of the last four national championships), “Don’t worry. We got this.”
If you’ve thought we’ve moved on from Alabama winning the national championship, you’ve got another thing coming. After 17 years in the wilderness, we’re enjoying the hell out of this one, and will milk it for as long as possible. Hopefully, that will only be until next year’s BCS National Championship Game, considering that the Crimson Tide has a wealth of talent returning.
The Alabama delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives is ready to do what is de rigueur these days when a team wins the national championship, submitting a resolution to honor the winning team. We’re totally down with that, because, hell, if you can’t enjoy being a homer for your team and your conference, then what good is it being a fan?
Each representative from the state’s seven districts gave their own statements, but the best, by far, came from AL-01 representative Jo Bonner.
All Alabamians can take pride in the Crimson Tide’s victory over Texas in the BCS National Championship Game. This crowning achievement is a fitting testament to what a motivated team inspired by exceptional leadership can accomplish. In three short years, Coach Nick Saban and his players have restored the University of Alabama to its rightful place among the best in college football. The young men of Alabama have demonstrated a toughness, resolve, and commitment to each other that will serve them well throughout life. As a representative, an alumnus and a fan, I couldn’t be happier with the Tide’s triumph over the talented and determined Longhorns – Roll Tide!
Ever since Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus was pressed into service for Dont’a Hightower, who had his ACL blown out by the dirty pool of Arkansas, we’ve liked him. Hard not to, since he went to Wolfe mère’s high school alma mater. He’s from our old neighborhood. Got to give it up for the local kid.
Then he did the amazing against Texas, garnering the defensive most valuable player honors. In case you forgot how badass this guy from north Birmingham is, our drinking buddy Brent Musburger can remind you.
It had been 17 years. The fan base was hungry. The players were hungry. Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was hungry. It had to happen. Alabama beat Texas 37-21 to win the national championship.
Sure, the haters were out. It was expected. But they weren’t on the field. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy couldn’t handle a tough, physical defense and had his shoulder injured early. Too bad for him. He plays in a weak conference against weak defenses. When you play against the Southeastern Conference, you have to show up to do battle, son.
Ingram had to check out, too, with cramps. Thing is, his replacement, freshman Trent Richardson, would start for most teams in the country. At halftime, it looked like a walk. 24-6 Alabama. But the Longhorns didn’t quit. They played hard, and cut the lead to three. Wide receiver Jordan Shipley played out of his mind.
Regardless, never discount the Crimson Tide defense. Huffman High School graduate Marcell Dareus, a mid-season replacement, intercepted a pass by the Texas backup to score late in the first half. The big win was solidified when a hit came from Eryk Anders and Bama recovered the ball inside the 10-yard-line, followed by a touchdown run by Richardson.
It’s been a rough few years. Certainly, 1994 and 1996 had Alabama in the mix to win it all, but it didn’t happen. Then came the long, dark tea time of the Tide. Sure, there were decent teams, but none legitimately challenged for the national title.
Then there was 2009. The 13th national championship for Alabama. Feels good.
It’s a shame that the two big schools here in South Carolina can’t get it done on the gridiron — then we could see Gov. Mark Sanford legitimately trying to recruit business to the state in a sunny locale, unlike the well-known junkets to Argentina. Alabama is in a similar position to South Carolina, in terms of economy and the rest of it. It also has a state leadership that hasn’t been beset by scandal.
As such, Ala. Gov. Bob Riley and other representatives of the Yellowhammer State have set off for California to use the Crimson Tide’s appearance in the national championship game to bring businesses to Alabama. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
Wade got the idea for the trip almost immediately after Alabama won the Southeastern Conference championship game in Atlanta on Dec. 5. Economic developers from the state had a suite in the Georgia Dome to woo about a dozen site consultants, and an RV for tailgating outside the stadium from Bob Tiffin’s Motor Homes of Red Bay.
Wade spent the morning after that win on the phone getting state companies and economic development groups on board to pull off the California trip. He said the Birmingham Business Alliance is one of those funding sponsors and its head of economic development, Patrick Murphy, will take part in the recruiting trip.
“This is an outstanding opportunity in a compressed time and space to communicate what the state has to offer in general and Birmingham has to offer in particular,” said Dave Rickey, spokesman for the BBA.
Wade said the participation of the BBA and others is important. “We’re trying to involve as many as we can, but we’re very limited in the number of tickets and the number of tent passes we are able to get,” Wade said.
Despite the existing and potential Alabama ties with California companies, Wade said the state has done little to promote itself there.
“The beauty of it is we don’t typically get to do a lot on the West Coast because we center most of our site consultant activity around Chicago, New York, Dallas and Atlanta,” he said.
[The Alabama Development Office] and the sponsors will pay for the rooms, meals and tickets. Those on the trip have to pay their own travel costs. Information packets about the state will be waiting for guests in their hotel rooms.
Considering how people are taxed all to hell in California, and how poorly that state is doing, moving to the South will probably sound pretty good.
Bart Starr. Joe Namath. Kenny Stabler. Lee Roy Jordan. Cornelius Bennett. Derrick Thomas. David Palmer. Shaun Alexander. None of these heroes of Alabama football won the Heisman Trophy. For a program that has 12 national championships and 22 Southeastern Conference titles, the other major accomplishment in college football was something that had been lacking from the Tide trophy case for years. No longer.
Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram added one of the more incredible accomplishments of the team this year, becoming Bama’s first-ever Heisman winner, and the third consecutive sophomore to take home the award. The win was the closest in the history of the award, 75-Heismans deep. For the first time in years, stiffarmtrophy.com got the final lineup wrong. It had Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in third, ahead of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, but in fact the two flipped positions in the final results.
1. MARK INGRAM, RUNNING BACK, ALABAMA
Votes: 1,304 (227)
2. TOBY GERHART, RUNNING BACK, STANFORD
Votes: 1,276 (222)
3. COLT MCCOY, QUARTERBACK, TEXAS
Votes: 1,145 (203)
4. NDAMUKONG SUH, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, NEBRASKA
Votes: 815 (161)
5. TIM TEBOW, QUARTERBACK, FLORIDA
Votes: 390 (43)
Perhaps the most memorable part of the ceremony was Ingram totally losing it when he went on the dais, having to take a few seconds to compose himself. It was only about a minute or two into the acceptance speech that the 2009 winner was able to get himself together enough to roll through the rest of his thank-yous.
“I’m a little overwhelmed right now,” Ingram said at the podium. “I’m just so excited to bring Alabama their first Heisman winner.” Afterward, the super sophomore told the assembled media, “I was overwhelmed, really excited, just the fact that I’m the first Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Alabama and doing this for my family. It hasn’t been easy for us.”
Alabama football is an emotional endeavor, so most of us who slagged on Tebow for crying during the SEC Championship Game gave Ingram a pass. Double standards are the spice of life in sports.
This season, Ingram put up 1,542 rushing yards on 249 attempts for 6.2 yards-per-carry and 15 touchdowns, despite being extremely limited in action against the patsies of the Tide schedule. He also has 30 receptions for 322 yards, for 10.7 yards-per-catch and three touchdowns.
Ingram wins
Ingram’s interview with ESPN’s Chris Fowler
There’s only one step left: beating Texas in Pasadena in the BCS National Championship Game. If Alabama can do that, and there is significant thought to believe that it’s possible, 2009 could go down as one of the greatest years in the 117-year history of Crimson Tide football.
One of the under reported stories every year in major college football is the amount of free crap football players get when they go to a bowl game. Some is useless. For instance, we got a free watch from the SEC and a free pin for covering the 2004 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. Frankly, the catered Georgia Dome food, free bags of Golden Flake and Dr. Pepper out the wazzou was better than what the conference gave sportswriters.
The following is what SEC teams will be getting this year.
Music City Bowl
Kentucky: RCA high-def camcorder, Fossil watch, Majestic fleece pullover, New Era cap, Ogio Metro laptop pack
Independence Bowl
Georgia: Sony gift suite, Timely Watch Co. watch, New Era cap, football
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Tennessee: $250 Best Buy gift card, Fossil watch, Russell Athletic knit cap, Russell Athletic travel bag, football, Chick-fil-A gift card
Outback Bowl
Auburn: Best Buy gift card, Pro-Swiss watch, Jostens ring, hat, Outback Steakhouse gift card
Capital One Bowl
LSU: Party at Best Buy ($420 limit), Timely Watch Co. watch
Sugar Bowl
Florida: Sony, Apple, Trek, Garmin and Weber gift suite, Timely Watch Co. watch, New Era cap, Ogio Politan laptop pack, Lane recliner
Papajohns.com Bowl
South Carolina: RCA high-def mini-camcorder, Oakley Surf Pack backpack
Cotton Bowl
Ole Miss: Unknown
Liberty Bowl
Arkansas: Westinghouse 19-inch LCD HDTV/computer monitor, Fossil watch, Nike training shoes/sport sandals/sunglasses, football
BCS National Championship Game
Alabama: Sony gift suite with Trek and Garmin, Fossil watch, New Era 59Fifty cap, Ogio Politan laptop pack
This week, the University of Alabama announced it was canceling classes between Jan. 6 and Jan. 8 for the BCS National Championship Game between the Crimson Tide and Texas. For the kids in public school in Tuscaloosa County, they don’t get the same consideration. It was announced today that the local school district will be operating as usual.
“We are thrilled and excited that one of our partners [the University of Alabama] has made it to a national level, but that does not affect a K through 12 institution,” Joyce Levey, superintendent of the city school system, said during a work session.
Levey said 37 of the system’s faculty and staff members asked her to cancel school for the football game on Jan. 7, which is the first day that students return to school from Christmas break.
The request was considered and placed on the school board meeting’s agenda, but the board rejected the request.
For shame! But, the game is at night, so there’s that. When we were in fifth grade in North Carolina, they wheeled a TV into the classroom so the ACC basketball tournament could be in the background while we went about our normal business. And in seventh grade when most major bowl games were played on Jan. 2, we got to have the games playing in the background all day. Maybe some T-Town teachers will do the same.
Regardless, we feel for you, Tuscaloosa County students. Of course, you just could get a sick note and stay home. Who can concentrate on class when your favorite team is playing for all the marbles?
You could see this coming from a mile away. Members of the University of Alabama faculty senate have expressed their displeasure at the university canceling classes from Jan. 6-Jan. 8 for the BCS National Championship Game, when the No. 1 Crimson Tide faces off against No. 2 Texas for the football program’s 13th national title. Fucking academics.
The group passed a motion Tuesday stating that members were “profoundly disappointed” in the university’s decision to cancel classes for a football game. Professor John Vincent said the situation is a “true embarrassment” for the university because it sacrifices 95 percent of students for the 5 percent who will be at the game.
Waah. Don’t they know that a profound amount of students go to Tuscaloosa just because of football? And furthermore, don’t they realize that the tuition these kids pay goes directly to their salaries? At least not everyone is getting their white-columned panties in a bunch. The senate president and vice president both came out in favor of the cancellation.
Maybe they got to see this video before making their positions known.
If it weren’t for football, Alabama would just be a public school version of Samford. And nobody wants that. Except Auburn. And Tennessee. And Florida. And LSU….
