Say what you will about the Bowl Championship Series, but this is a worthy matchup for the national title. Alabama is seeking its first BCS championship. Texas defeated USC in the BCS title game at the Rose Bowl four years ago.Some of the game’s key issues and matchups.
De-fense, de-fense
Alabama ranks second nationally in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense. The Crimson Tide is fifth in turnover margin.
Texas, under defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, ranks first in rushing defense and third in total defense.
Armed for action
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy lacks the resume of his Texas counterpart but has been an effective, efficient leader and a clutch performer down the stretch. The fourth-year junior has passed for 17 touchdowns and completed 61 percent of his passes with four interceptions. He averages 197 yards in total offense a game.
The Longhorns’ Colt McCoy has twice been a Heisman Trophy finalist. The fifth-year senior has completed 71 percent of his passes for 27 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Averaging 297 yards in total offense, he also has rushed for three touchdowns.
On the run
Mark Ingram, Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner, averages 118.6 yards a game rushing and has run for 15 touchdowns.
Texas rushes by committee. Tre’ Newton averages 39 yards, McCoy 27.
Catching on
Alabama’s passing game is a secondary option behind Ingram, but it can be effective. Receiver Julio Jones has caught 42 passes, four for touchdowns. Marquis Maze and Ingram each have 30 receptions.
Jordan Shipley is McCoy’s favorite target. The All-American sixth-year senior has 106 receptions, 11 for touchdowns. James Kirkendoll and Dan Buckner have 48 and 44 catches, respectively.
Special forces
Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin has made 29 of 33 field goal attempts and is within two field goals of tying the NCAA single-season record and five from trying the career record of 87. Javier Arenas ranks third nationally in punt returns, ninth in kickoff returns.
Texas’ Hunter Lawrence has made 22 of 25 field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder with one second left that won the Big 12 title game. D.J. Monroe is second nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 35.8 yards per return with two for touchdowns. Shipley has returned two punts for touchdowns.
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BCS Championship
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 2 Texas 7:30 p.m. ABC
There are some studs playing here who will be available in the NFL draft’s first round when the Bears pick … oh, wait.
