LOGICAL APPROACH

OVERALL: 42-23-1
SIDES: 18-14-1
TOTALS: 24-9

1 UNIT: 9-5
2 UNIT: 10-8-1
3 UNIT: 19-9
4 unit : 4-2


This is the game many expected back in August. Or at least one of the most likely matchups as Texas was considered a solid choice to make it here to face Alabama, Florida or USC. USC was eliminated early in the season while both Florida and Alabama headed into their SEC Title game showdown unbeaten. Alabama won that game convincingly while Texas needed a fortuitous turn of events and a last second FG to edge Nebraska in the Big 12 Title game to play for the BCS Title. Both teams bring outstanding credentials into this contest. The defenses are ranked # 2 and # 3 in yardage and # 1 and # 8 in points. The offenses also rated highly with Alabama having the better rush attack and Texas better at tossing the pigskin. Alabama lost just 10 turnovers all season and was +16 in turnover margin. Texas created 35 turnovers and was +12 in margin. By virtue of playing in the SEC Alabama played the more demanding schedule. Their significantly better ATS mark also shows they performed better versus expectations than did Texas. Of course just prior to the win over Florida, Alabama struggled to bet by arch rival Auburn, coming from behind in the closing minute. Likewise Texas struggled to hold off their arch rival Texas A&M. Both teams are well coached and each coach already has a National Title - Texas' Brown with their win over USC a few years back and 'Bama's Saban as coach at LSU 2 seasons earlier. Both teams will be well prepared on both sides of the football. Texas arguably has the better ability to come from behind with their more polished passing game. These defenses also rank #1 and #2 against the rush, making it important for Alabama's offense to develop a passing game. Clearly either team can will this game and if these teams faced one another 50 times each should win 25. The value in this game is with Texas, based largely upon what everyone saw in both teams' conference Championship games. For much of the season books that had "future" lines on potential BCS matchups had this matchup pretty much a pick 'em. Both teams are highly motivated. Texas may be fueled as well by their feeling of being slighted last season despite defeating Oklahoma which lost to Florida in the BCS Title game. The Longhorns did not make it to the Big 12 Title game despite sharing the Big 12 South title with Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Teams ranked #2 have historically fared well when facing teams ranked #1 and with not much separating these teams the preference is to take the points with the Underdog. And as such the call will be for the mild upset with Texas winning 23-17, making

TEXAS a 3 Star Selection
UNDER also a 3 Star Selection .