Braeden Mueller | Arizona State University

Colt McCoy was otherwise known as the winningest QB in NCAA history, with 45 wins in 52 starts was knocked out of the BCS “Natty” against Alabama only five plays in. The play was a designed option-run, but Colt ended up getting smashed by Marcell Dareus and subsequently put an end to the Longhorns chances at another championship.

McCoy, who up until that point had never missed a game to injury yet weighing only 180 pounds as a redshirt freshman, would have to make way for Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert was a highly sought after recruit who won multiple national awards for his excellence, had only played sparingly in Longhorn blowouts (4th quarter and late) but was thought to be a successor to McCoy. Gilbert would prove that he was not close to McCoy and would have one of the most memorable performances in a championship, but Longhorn fans will agree, this is not a good memory to have. Gilbert struggled to get a groove against the tough Bama defense. Gilbert was put in a bad situation, to begin with as he had only played against weak opponents and often only played one drive, but had to deal with the legendary Bama defense. Gilbert often appeared to force the ball into tight windows with defenders draped on his receivers in the first half, and with only three seconds remaining in the first half would get picked off and have it returned to the house. Although Gilbert finished 15-40 with four interceptions and two touchdowns, he did display the arm strength he was touted on, with touchdown throws of 44 yards and 28 to Jordan Shipley both times in the third quarter. Gilbert contributed five turnovers (one fumble not mentioned) though that ultimately doomed his career at Texas and the chance at a championship.

So what If Colt did not get injured?
Honestly, this is tough to decide what would’ve happened, but the popular opinion is that Texas would’ve won. I don’t quite buy this idea, though, Bama looked all around better than Texas on the night. Mark Ingram rushed for 116 and two TD’s while his partner Trent Richardson rushed for 109 and two tds. Also contributing for Bama was their defense which consistently looked overpowering on the field, with multiple interceptions, forced fumbles, and controlling the line of scrimmage. Colt was 2-2 when he got injured, but I assume that his night would’ve gone downhill fast if he continued to play. Worth mentioning but not often brought up is the fact that the Texas receiving core dropped some catchable passes, and that doomed the Longhorn’s offense all night long. To wrap it up: Colt would have probably put up better numbers than Gilbert, but the Bama defense and team was more complete and who would choose against Saban in a big game?