The Alabama Crimson Tide used a ball control attack, balanced offense, and stifling rush defense to defeat previously unbeaten Ohio State to claim their 2nd consecutive National Championship. Coach StuBucksman's team got behind early, but dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters to defeat his arch nemesis Coach UTVOL54, ending the coach's 31 game RUTS winning streak.
The Crimson Tide held the ball for nearly 19 of the game's 27 minutes, and were able to convert some crucial 3rd and 4th down conversions along the way. Both team's star running backs, Mark Ingram and Brandon Saine, who finished 2nd and 3rd for the Heisman Trophy respectively, were held in check, and both team's defenses set the tone for the game.
OSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead on its first drive and forced an Alabama to punt after 3 downs. The Crimson Tide's defense held strong though, and didn't allow the Buckeyes to increase their lead. After an Alabama FG, the Tide defense forced a fumble after OSU WR Devier Posey was crushed. This turned out to be a big momentum shift in the game, as Posey had gained a first down on the play. The Buckeye defense held strong though, holding Alabama to another FG inside the 10 yard line.
Another huge play in the game came with 20 seconds remaining until halftime. With the ball inside the OSU 30 yard line, Alabama called a well-timed screen pass to backup RB Trent Richardson, who was lined up at WR on the play. Richardson scooted 22 yards to paydirt, and with only 15 seconds remaining in the 1st half, Alabama increased its lead to 13-3.
The 3rd Quarter was dominated by Alabama as well, as the Tide held leads of 20-3 and 27-10, seemingly putting the game away.
The Buckeyes kept fighting though, and behind the arm and legs of Terrelle Pryor, and a timely interception by All-American CB Chimdi Chekwa, they stayed in the game. With 5 minutes to play in the game, the Buckeyes QB scrambled 22 yards for a TD that cut the Alabama lead to 27-24. With three timeouts remaining, both teams braced for what would be a tense final few minutes of the season.
Alabama made the plays they needed to make on the final drive converting a crucial 4th and 1 play to keep the drive alive. In doing so, they were able to run out the clock and hang on for the 27-24 victory. Tide fans screamed the "Rammer Jammer" song at the top of their lungs as the Tide flooded the field. Coach Stu was hoisted on the shoulders of star D-Lineman Marcel Dareus, and the Coach held back tears as he lifted the crystal ball trophy into the air. Coach Stu earned his very first BCS National Championship with the win.
Alabama fans celebrated all night in the Arizona desert, and one has to wonder if they will be celebrating for a long time to come. Can anyone unseat the Crimson Tide in Season 2? With the talent they have coming back, it will be tough, but there are some up and coming teams that are confident that Alabama's reign as champions is about to come to an abrupt end...Season 2 is right around the corner, and Coach Stu knows, he better hit the recruiting trail hard if he hopes to continue the Tide's dynasty.
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