ALABAMA vs. TEXAS

Jan. 7 - 5 p.m. PT
Citi BCS National Championship
Pasadena, Calif.
The Rose Bowl (91,000)

THE COACHES
Nick Saban is in his second season at Alabama with a record of 32-8 (.800) and 16th overall with a record of 138-67-1 (.672). The Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator is Jim McElwain and the defensive coordinator is Kirby Smart.

Mack Brown is in his 12 season at Texas with a record of 128-26 (.831) and 25th overall with a record of 213-100-1 (.680). The Longhorns’ offensive coordinator is Greg Davis and the defensive coordinator is Will Muschamp.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN ALABAMA HAS THE BALL
Mark Ingram is the first Alabama player in history to win the Heisman Trophy. He shattered the Alabama single-season rushing record with 1,542 yards this season and 15 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 118.6 yards rushing per game and 6.2 yards per carry while catching 30 passes out of the backfield for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Mike Johnson led a rebuilt offensive line that helped clear a path for 215.9 rushing yards per game and 413.77 yards of total offense while surrendering just 1.15 sacks per game to rank 19th nationally. Julio Jones was the Tide's leading receiver with 42 catches for 573 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Earl Thomas has posted 71 tackles (45 solo), five TFL, eight INTs, 16 PBU and a forced fumble in 2009. His 24 passes defended rank first nationally and his eight INTs are tied for second. The eight INTs set a UT single-season record, breaking the oldest standing Longhorn record after the mark of seven was set in 1940.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN TEXAS HAS THE BALL
Rolando McClain led the defensive unit with 101 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss (-58 yards) and four sacks (-36 yards). He also added 14 quarterback pressures, three pass breakups, two interceptions (21 return yards) and forced one fumble. Mark Barron was the Tide’s second-leading tackler this season with 70 total stops. He led the SEC with 17 passes defended and seven interceptions. Javier Arenas, who was a first-team All-SEC pick at two positions, was third on the UA team with 66 tackles this season. He was also second on the team with five sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Terrence Cody anchored an Alabama defensive front that held opponents to 77.9 rushing yards per game, a figure that ranks second nationally.

In 13 games this year, Colt McCoy has gone 330-of-468 (70.5%) for 3,512 yards and 27 TDs for a 147.5 passer rating, while rushing for another 348 yards and three TDs. His 70.5 completion percentage ranks third nationally. McCoy became the all-time winningest quarterback in NCAA history when he won his 43rd game as a starter against Kansas. Jordan Shipley is the leading target with 1,363 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. He has a long of 88 yards. Cody Johnson has 12 rushings TDs. Tre’ Newton is the leading rusher with 513, adding six touchdowns as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Leigh Tiffin, a Lou Groza finalist, is Alabama’s all-time leader with 378 points and 82 field goals during his 45-game career with the Tide. He has also converted 132 career extra points. During the 2009 season, Tiffin has converted 29 of 33 field goal attempts and 38 of 41 extra points. The 29 field goals established the single-season school record. Arenas is the SEC’s all-time leader with 1,733 career punt return yards and seven touchdowns.

Shipley powers the return game, led by his 13 yard average per punt return and two touchdowns this season in that category. D.J. Monroe gets over 35 yards per kickoff return, returning two for scores in 2009. Lawrence Hunter is 22-25 on field goals this season, including 17-18 between 30 and 49 yards. Justin Tucker averages 40.6 yards per punt, with a long of 60 yards and 15 placed inside the 20 yard line. He’s had six punts over 50 yards and has not had a punt blocked this season.

SERIES/GAME NOTES
Record: UT, 7-0-1 • Last: Texas, 14-12 (1991 at Cotton Bowl)
Alabama (13-0, 8-0 SEC) earned its first BCS National Championship Game appearance with a 32-13 win over the Florida Gators in the 2009 SEC Championship Game... Alabama will be playing at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the eighth time in school history, including its seventh post-season bowl game... Alabama was the first southern team to play in the Rose Bowl when the Crimson Tide beat Washington 20-19 on January 1, 1926... Alabama has played in more bowl games (57) and earned more bowl wins (31) – tied with Southern California for the most in college football history...Alabama has never defeated Texas in eight all-time attempts.



More...