Texas A&M made its first visit to Bryant-Denny Stadium and the so-called experts thought they were a double digit underdog. Alabama fans thought it would be worse than that for the Aggies and I was one of those. I knew they had a hotshot freshman quarterback, but I figured a few hits would cool him down and Alabama would dominate the game. So much for experts.
The first indication that this game was different was the honoring of A&M's former players, including ten Junction Boys, before the game - remember this was in Tuscaloosa, not College Station. These players were former A&M students, but part of the Alabama family because they played for Coach Bryant. Coach Stallings, who won the 1992 National Championship at Alabama was among the honored players. So was John David Crow, Coach Bryant's only and Texas A&M's only Heisman Trophy winner.
When the game started, Alabama looked flat and Johnny Football looked like a video game. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there were people returning their X-boxes and PS3's because they can't replicate all of Johnny Manziel's moves. I had only seen highlights of this freshman and had no idea how good he really is. He is better than Tebow or (S)Cam Newton and has the same toughness about him Tebow and Greg McElroy both showed in college during their championship runs. He is the kind of player Coach Bryant would have loved - small, fast, tough, and indomitable in tough situations. Dare I say, he has some John David Crow about him and maybe as early as this year will be TAMU's second Heisman winner. He is listed as 6'1" and 190lbs, but I am suspicious of both those numbers because even the media guides are bigger in Texas. The one thing that is not bigger in Texas is Johnny Football's game. He is as big as the moment. Throwing for over 250 and rushing for over 90 against Alabama is good for an entire team - it is unbelievable for one freshman.
As an Alabama fan, I think Alabama should have won the game. They had opportunities and champions usually make the most of those. The future champion on the other side of the ball did make the most of those opportunities. I know Alabama had a close game with LSU the week prior and A&M blew out Mississippi State, but that is how the ball bounces. Alabama was out-coached on Saturday and because that doesn't happen often, I am impressed with the Aggies. Alabama can still win the SEC and the National Championship - I expect them to do both, but this was a speed bump none of us saw coming.
If Coach Bryant can raise Coach Stallings in the air after A&M defeats Alabama in a bowl game, I guess the least I can do is tip my hat to this A&M team who won their first game in Tuscaloosa in front of Coach Bryant's former A&M players. It was a special moment for both schools, but don't be fooled - beating A&M in future years has just moved up on the Alabama priority list. Johnny Football has to beat Alabama every year to ever win those championships he dreams of and Alabama will be tougher next time around. See you in College Station next year!
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