http://www.news-journal.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2009/12/02/12022009_brookscolumn.html
TCU hopes for championship weekend miracle
By
GABRIEL D. BROOKS
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
TCU prays for the near impossible, a BCS title game berth if luck falls on the Horned Frogs' side. If Nebraska beats Texas in the Big 12 championship, TCU would rightfully own the BCS championship game's second berth behind the SEC champion, although some pundits believe a Nebraska win would lead to an Alabama-Florida rematch (and national upheaval).
TCU has proven it can thump quality opponents (BYU, Utah) and beat BCS teams on the road (Virginia, Clemson).
The chances of the Frogs' stars aligning are slim. Here's a look at the two games that will decide this season's national title participants.
SEC Championship — No. 1 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama, 3 p.m. Saturday, CBS
Quarterback — Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion and one-time Heisman winner. Advantage: Florida.
Running back — Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody are quite a trio, but Bama's Mark Ingram is a Heisman frontrunner, and freshman Trent Richardson may end up being better. Advantage: Alabama.
Receivers — When Florida's passing game has sputtered, receivers have been the cause. Bama's Julio Jones and Marquis Maze are big threats. Advantage: Alabama.
Offensive line — Both teams average more than 200 rushing yards per game. Advantage: Even.
Defensive line — Florida's 4-3 alignment and Bama's 3-4 are difficult to compare, but the Tide doesn't have Jermaine Cunningham and Justin Trattou up front. Advantage: Florida.
Linebackers — Florida's Brandon Spikes meets Bama's Rolando McClain, two of five-best LBs in the nation. Both teams are loaded at linebacker. Advantage: Even.
Secondary — Bama's Javier Arenas is a playmaker on defense and in the return game, but the Tide can't quite match Florida's DBs. CB Joe Haden is a future first-round pick. Advantage: Florida.
Prediction — Alabama's played better most of the season, but Tebow is tough to beat in a big game. Nick Saban matches Urban Meyer on the sidelines, but the Gators have a few more athletes right now. Florida 20, Alabama 17.
Big 12 Championship — No. 3 Texas vs. No. 21 Nebraska, 7 p.m. Saturday, ABC
Quarterback — This isn't even close. Advantage: Texas.
Running back — Nebraska's Roy Helu, Jr. has 1,100 yards and nine TDs, but Texas' Tre' Newton has come on lately. Advantage: Nebraska.
Receivers — Jordan Shipley, Dan Buckner, James Kirkendoll ... the list goes on. Advantage: Texas.
Offensive line — In the 1990s, Nebraska was known for its offensive line. This decade, it's Texas. Advantage: Texas.
Defensive line — Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh may be the nation's best defensive player, and DE Jared Crick is fifth in the Big 12 with nine sacks. Texas' D-line spearheads the country's fifth-ranked defense. Advantage: Even.
Linebackers — Hallsville's Roddrick Muckelroy leads Texas in tackles. The Huskers have a solid LB duo in Phillip Dillard and Larry Asante. Advantage: Even.
Secondary — Texas safety Earl Thomas is tied for second in the country with eight picks, while fellow safety Blake Gideon has four. Nebraska ranks 14 spots higher (25th) in pass defense, but the Huskers lack the playmakers Texas has. Advantage: Texas.
Prediction — Longhorn fans are quick to panic. Many have turned on defensive coordinator Will Muschamp for one bad game against Texas A&M. It happens. Nebraska's offense ranks 92nd in the nation, and if the game turns into a slugfest, Texas will have the advantage. Texas 27, Nebraska 13.