Ranking the 30 Greatest National Championship Games
By Zach Bigalke
20. 2010 BCS National Championship
#1 Alabama d. #2 Texas 37-21
BEFORE THE GAME
The Bowl Championship Series had one of the least contentious selections of its 16-year history in the 2009-2010 season. That year three power-conference teams went undefeated over the course of the season, though two were perceived as playing a much higher level of football than the third wheel. At that point the Big East had been gutted, and Cincinnati’s perfect regular season was viewed in a similar light to the unbeaten runs of WAC champion Boise State and MWC champion TCU than the two teams that made the cut.
Alabama reached the top spot in the rankings after a 1-vs-2 showdown against Florida in the SEC championship game. The Gators and Crimson Tide were both undefeated heading into the league title game, and the winner was effectively guaranteed to land one of the two spots in the BCS national championship. Florida pulled within six points of the Tide heading into halftime, but Alabama shut out Tim Tebow and the Gators in the second half. Touchdowns by Colin Peek and Heisman winner Mark Ingram gave the conference to Alabama, and they were headed to Pasadena for the 2010 national championship at the Rose Bowl.
Texas was the last of the five teams to run the table in the regular season. The Longhorns, led by Colt McCoy at quarterback, featured an offense that averaged over 40 points per game. The defense was allowing just 15 points per game, and they survived a scare against Nebraska to secure the Big 12 title. Cincinnati wasn’t going to slide in ahead of Texas, and neither Boise State nor TCU ever had a chance. Two-time Heisman finalist McCoy had the chance to finish his college career with a national championship opportunity.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Texas suffered a severe blow to its title hopes when Colt McCoy was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury on the fifth Longhorns play from scrimmage. Mack Brown’s team still managed to take a first quarter lead with two field goals, but Alabama soon found its stride against the Longhorns defense. Ingram and Trent Richardson each had rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, Leigh Tiffin added a 49-yard field goal, and Marcell Dareus returned an interception 23 yards right before halftime. By the intermission, the Tide had turned things around and went to the locker room with an 18-point lead.
Jordan Shipley began to connect with backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert in the second half, as the two paired up for two scoring strikes. The second, coming with 6:15 remaining, pulled Texas back within a field goal of the Tide. But Alabama got two scores in the final two minutes, as Ingram and Richardson each scored a second rushing touchdown apiece. Though Nick Saban has five national titles, this is the only team of the bunch that managed to take the crown with a perfect record.