Attention! Some nut here thinks Texas will beat Alabama
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been wrong. Heck, it’d be the third time in three days. (Picked Georgia Tech to win Tuesday in both basketball and football.) But here goes:
I like the Longhorns tonight.
It’s nothing against the SEC. I’ve covered the conference for 30 years and I know full well it’s the best there is. But over those 30 years I’ve learned a little something else, and it’s this: Pay particular attention to an excellent team that’s being given no shot at winning.
Four years ago an undefeated Texas went to California to play for the BCS title and was dismissed out of hand. Because Southern Cal was shooting for a third consecutive national championship. Because the Trojans had not one but two Heisman holders on their roster. Because SC was regarded by us media types as the greatest team ever and therefore invincible.
But it’s a funny thing: Not many teams truly are invincible. Against the wrong opponent on the wrong day, anybody can be unhorsed. And the Trojans played like crazy, at least on offense, that night in Pasadena — I was there, and I well recall Reggie Bush flipping into the end zone and Dwayne Jarrett making like Mr. Fantastic to stretch the ball over the goal line for what seemed the clinching touchdown — and still got beat. Because Vince Young had the greatest single performance I’ve ever seen. Because Texas simply would not go away.
Alabama is a splendid team. Indeed, it’s trying to do something conference brethren Florida and LSU, each of which has won two BCS titles this millennium, couldn’t manage, and that’s finish unbeaten. (Auburn went through the SEC undefeated in 2004 but didn’t get to play for the BCS crown.) And I do believe the raging consensus about the SEC — that its best players tend to be faster than the best players from other leagues — is in fact a fact. But I’d argue that the Big 12 is the league that comes closest to approximating the SEC, and I would never discount an unbeaten Big 12 champ.
Having been around a while, I know how it works: We media types tend to work off the last thing we’ve seen. And on Dec. 5 we saw Alabama trample Florida while Texas nearly pulled a Les Miles and lost to Nebraska. And the Longhorns had a rough ride in College Station on Thanksgiving night against a Texas A&M team that Georgia just crushed without benefit of a defensive coordinator.
That said, no team wins every game by 50 points. At last check, Alabama needed a blocked field goal to survive Tennessee, which would finish 7-6, and the day after Texas struggled to subdue the Aggies the Tide had to rally to beat Auburn. But my point isn’t to derogate Alabama, which is a tough and talented and superbly coached; it’s to suggest those same descriptions apply to its just-as-undefeated opponent.
And we have to be careful when we try to graft one year onto the next. Different seasons bring differing dynamics. Just because Southern Cal had beaten the Big 12 champ (Oklahoma, which was undone when the nicely named Mark Bradley fumbled a punt he shouldn’t have touched) by 36 points in January 2005 didn’t mean the next Big 12 champ would succumb so readily. Just because the SEC has won the past three BCS titles doesn’t mean Alabama is a lock tonight.
Back to 2006: I asked Mack Brown at his day-before media briefing how it felt to have a team that good and be afforded so little chance. (Pretty darn good, he said.) And big-time coaches love these kinds of games. It isn’t often a program like Texas ever gets to be an decided underdog — the spread is only four points, but do you know many folks who are picking against the Tide? — and I’d especially be wary of an underdog that has the better quarterback.
Being my silly self, I picked Texas over Southern Cal back then. (No, it didn’t look good when the Trojans led by 12 points with four minutes left. But it worked out in the end.) Maybe I’m just trying to repeat my one moment of prognosticating perspicacity, but I like the same school to do the same thing in the same stadium.
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849 comments Add your comment
Golden Tornado
January 7th, 2010
5:27 pm
Who in the HAYULL is Morgan Burnett?
Dawg Days
January 7th, 2010
5:27 pm
Bradley,
You stated…
“I’ve covered the conference for 30 years and I know full well it’s the best there is. But over those 30 years I’ve learned little to nothing…”
Finally I can agree with you on something!
Hunkerdown
January 7th, 2010
5:28 pm
We beat each other up throughout the season and tend to take things to heart. But let me state that while in the regular season we get after each other it is times like tonight that we should rally around our SEC counterparts and neighbors. So tonight I say Roll Tide Roll. Get you some Longhorn and let the beatings begin. PS: Bet Mark he is wrong!
Furman Bisher
January 7th, 2010
5:29 pm
Thanks for the kind words Russ, these new young guys are all product of the Wal-Mart nation that’s demolishing our country.
Golden Tornado, to answer your question Morgan was last seen on the Flats trailing 10 yards behind Caleb King on his untouched 75-yard touchdown run and lately was seen when that pipsqueak white boy running back from Iowa scored with Burnett following in his wake.
Zerevon
January 7th, 2010
5:32 pm
Mark Bradley is an idiot for picking the Shorthorns…! Bama’s D line is going to destroy Shorthorn’s O line…! McCoy is going to run for his life from McLain and Mt.Cody… Mt. Cody is not as fast as Suh but it is going to take at least 2 defenders to try to block him. Texas steak is getting ready for elephant to eat tonight..Mark do you really think Little Nicky is going to lose tonight after he came so far you idiot? Yes Bama struggled against Auburn and Tennessee but kicked some gator tail. This is SEC rivalry is making these teams play hard against the best of the best… you know that Bradley if you have any sense and knowledge at all…Study Bama football learn more about Saban and write another article you idiot…!
De' truth
January 7th, 2010
5:32 pm
What do you call a drug ring in Knoxville? A huddle.
DrDawg
January 7th, 2010
5:32 pm
Eddie:
I understand. But it is still a cushy job. You write a couple of columns a week (I could do that in one morning) then after a couple of years you have 200 columns or so. You take the best and ZAP you have a BOOK that you publish. Get the picture? You have “meetings” and drink coffee and attend lots of awards dinners. I have a columnist friend for a big paper and you had better never look for him before 11:00 am or after 3:00pm. People who choose to write for a living find writing easy. This is not neurosurgery where you are called to the ER at 2:00am in the morning after a 14 hour day. It is all relative. These guys are necessary, just should not take themselve seriously ever.
Bryant
January 7th, 2010
5:33 pm
Volunteer Nation, please enroll yourself in rehab. You sound like such an idiot! Hey, you’re a ridge running inbred so what else could we expect? You clowns got SPANKED big time by VT in your bowl game so thanks a ton for representing the SEC, azz clown.
Volunteer Nation
January 7th, 2010
5:34 pm
Caleb King and Mark Ingram couldn’t carry Hardesty’s jock. Up in Knoxville we all know who the best running back in the SEC is.
Don’t forget Volunteer star freshman Janzen Jackson was cleared of the armed robbery charges and was able to play towards the end of the season in the victories over Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
Bryant
January 7th, 2010
5:36 pm
Volunteer Nation, you’re making out with your cousin in the trailer park right about now……………right? Right!!! Don’t let your paw-paw catch you at because he wants some of that stuff too.
SEC
January 7th, 2010
5:36 pm
haha sounds like a great guy who i would want on my team….
Hunkerdown
January 7th, 2010
5:38 pm
Dawgs will be in NC game soon!
Bryant
January 7th, 2010
5:39 pm
Volunteer Nation, did you win your bowl game? Nope. Did you win your job at the WalMart interview? Nope. Did you win your cousin’s hand in marriage? Yep. Good luck raising the retarded offspring, azz clown.
Morgan Burnett
January 7th, 2010
5:39 pm
Did anyone see what was written on Caleb King’s arms because all I could see was his backside!
Zerevon
January 7th, 2010
5:40 pm
Mark Bradley you are stupid for picking the Shorthorns…! Bama’s D line is going to eat Shorthorn’s O line it is just going to happen you dumb sportswriter..Do you really think Bama’s defense is not going to destroy their pretty boy McCoy.. He is going to run for his life from Mt.Cody and McLain…it is going to be a Texas steak on the table for big elephant to eat tonight…
Hunkerdown
January 7th, 2010
5:41 pm
From a big time Dawg fan to all SEC fans. Roll tide Roll!! Time to come together.
Zerevon
January 7th, 2010
5:41 pm
Mark Bradley is over rated. Bama wins by 14 tonight easy
Derrick Morgan
January 7th, 2010
5:43 pm
Hey Burnett, I was lying on the ground after getting pancaked by Cordy Glenn and had a good look at Caleb’s arms. I think it said “I Run This State” or “We Run This State”, something to that effect.
Mt. Cody
January 7th, 2010
5:43 pm
Mark you know what Iam hungry and I will eat McCoy for dinner tonight…!
Coach Paul Johnson
January 7th, 2010
5:45 pm
With my perfect option, we could beat either Bama or Texas. Pay no attention to my 0-2 bowl record or the fact I’ve been outscored 62-17 while in bowls at Georgia Tech! I promise we’ll install a new offense the likes of which the ACC has never seen next season. Heck, we may even pass the ball for more than 12 yards just for grins.
mike on lake hartwell
January 7th, 2010
5:46 pm
could someone give me the valid reasons for pulling
for the SEC tonite? how bout some reasons not to?
trying to decide.
Coach Paul Johnson
January 7th, 2010
5:47 pm
Oh, and I mean to add more chop blocks. We’re going to work hard to get butter disguising those so the refs quit throwing flags but we’re still taking out the legs of opposing defenders…
Russ
January 7th, 2010
5:47 pm
Hunkerdown – A few days ago before the Orange Bowl some nut wanted all Georgians to come together and support the state’s representative in the bowl game.
Hope you have better luck with the SEC fans.
Roll Tide
Big Al
January 7th, 2010
5:49 pm
I think it is great and exposes the trist of conspiricy linking the media to Texas being portrayed as an underdog. A lot of people are picking Texas and the SEC ‘homerism is just that a charlaton…..Never was, is , or will be.
RTR!!!
Russ
January 7th, 2010
5:50 pm
mike on lake hartwell – For – We don’t want those Texans talking about how their conference is better than the SEC.
Against _ We Georgians don’t want to hear those Alabama fans bragging about how they are better than our Georgia teams.
Try tossing a coin.
dawgcrzy
January 7th, 2010
5:51 pm
The Gumpers by 7
Eddie
January 7th, 2010
5:52 pm
DrDawg – Don’t yet hear any defense from Mark. He could mention the hours spent covering games, traveling, etc. Tough job, but someone has to do it.
SEC
January 7th, 2010
5:53 pm
just root for Alabama
Bryant
January 7th, 2010
5:53 pm
Volunteer Nation, I’m coming over to your trailer (armed with a pellet pistol) tonight to take your new bride away from you. I will teach your cousin to not wear orange. Is your cousin pretty or just a 350 lb ugly Falling Tears fan like the rest of them?
UGA83
January 7th, 2010
5:56 pm
After the UGA win and Tech loss it’s been a very good bowl season so why not lighten up a little and root for the playbook stealers from Tuscaloosa. Roll Tide!
JC
January 7th, 2010
5:58 pm
Thanks for the jinx, Mark. What did my Horns ever do to you that you feel compelled to do such a mean spirited thing?
Hunkerdown
January 7th, 2010
6:04 pm
Did that job come through at the Statesman for you Mark?
willie M
January 7th, 2010
6:04 pm
somebody/anybody contact me pleeease….i’ve got some great defensive schemes Bama can use tonite to guarantee a victory…really I do…oh wait a minute or was that schemes for the Horns tonite….NOT….it schemes for Obama’s Secretary of Defense, yeah that’s the ticket.
Keep it Real!
January 7th, 2010
6:06 pm
Texas will lose this game! Can someone please tell me how Florida is the 2nd best team in the country? They only top ten team they played they lost too!
Florida Gators you should be ashamed for scheduling such a weak schedule. Also thank the SEC referees for the gift against Arkansas and other weak SEC teams!
Tebo cry me river will ya!
JB
January 7th, 2010
6:08 pm
It depends of how close the refs call the UAT “pick” play that never gets called. They killed AU and FL with it. Muschamp will probably figure something out.
JB
Keep it Real!
January 7th, 2010
6:09 pm
Wow dawg fans talking about The Vol fans after that beatdown! Dawg Fans shut your pie hole, The Vols run over you like your a division 8 school.
The Vols own the Dawgs!
Nesbit, Joshua
January 7th, 2010
6:09 pm
Agggghhh….my flippin’ ankle! Who be under this pile, Ric Flair?
Thomas, Bebe
January 7th, 2010
6:12 pm
What’s that coach? Okay, pass route. WHAT? You want me to do what know? An out pattern? What the heck is an out pattern? You mean you want me to go deep, and “out” jump the defender right? No!?! Run 10 yards up-field and then turn and run toward the sideline? Really? Just run 10 yards, turn and catch? Man, I dunno about this coach, but okay.
DrDawg
January 7th, 2010
6:13 pm
Eddie my buddy:
Live up in Chattanooga and just got creamed by a kid on a sled flying down a hill on my street going about 45 mph. Lots of snow. Landed on my back hitting the right side on the curb. I feel like Rambo only I didn’t lose consciousness. The only thing broken is my pride but I couldn’t breathe for about two minutes. Scarry as hell. This old dawg is gonne be in major pain tomorrow. Damn, I wish I was 19 years old.
GT linebacker corps...
January 7th, 2010
6:14 pm
He’s down Ref! Ealey’s down ref! I touched him with both hands below the waist 15 yards ago, what is with you SEC REFS!!!
UGA A
January 7th, 2010
6:16 pm
Hey Bama and texas fans…. if one call doesn’t go your way, are you going to blame the refs on costing you the game? if you need to know how to do that check out the techies and their blogs. They have never really lost a game it is always the refs fault!!!!!
willie martinez
January 7th, 2010
6:19 pm
Mark, will you be blogging during the game?
Hunkerdown
January 7th, 2010
6:21 pm
Vols really took care of business in bowl game didn’t they!
Barkin'Dog
January 7th, 2010
6:25 pm
Texas looked bad against Suh and Nebraska, but look how Neb. throttled AZ in their bowl game 933-0). Texas will find a way to win the day.
Vols embarrass themselves again
January 7th, 2010
6:25 pm
If I was a Vol fan I would tuck my tail and go back to Rocky Top. You wet the bed for the umpteenth time in a row in your bowl game to an ACC team no less. Lame Kiffin is the same choke of a coach as all the rest. Please wait until you at least show up in your bowl game to flop your gums about anything. RTR
Keep it Real!
January 7th, 2010
6:26 pm
Vols put a 40 plus spot on the Dawgs this year! Dawgs you are not allowed to comment after the beating the Vols, Florida and Kentucky put on ya in 2009!
Barkin'Dog
January 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
Neb won 33-0. not 933-0 (didn’t hit the shift key).
MattB`
January 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
You make a good argument, but its easier picking an underdog than it is the favorite. If you’re right, you can scream how you saw it ocming and you knew it was going to happen.
If you’re wrong, then oh well, that’s how it was supposed to happen. Don’t act like you’re taking a big leap picking the underdog.
willie M
January 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
keep it real…..i’m allowed to comment afterall it was my schemes…can u dig it!
Keep it Real!
January 7th, 2010
6:28 pm
What is a bowl game compared to that wupping the Vols put on the Dawgs in 2009? They creamed the Dawgs so bad I think the mascot died of a heart attack during the game!
The Dawgs should be called puppies!