Ryan Mallett's Costly Blunders Devastate Arkansas

This could have been the biggest upset on the year in college football, and because Arkansas is the emergence on turf, as a beautiful story in the game, an upset was brewing. So now, as quickly as the Razorbacks had the top-ranked team in the nation, the dark horses fall out of bowl contention when all Arkansas needed was a thrilling win over Alabama.

And so it ends with a surprise, although it really wasn’t a surprise to watch the Razorbacks fall. During kickoff, the lively crowd was electric and believed that every conceivable element, from a high-powered offense to the rifle-armed pocket passer Ryan Mallett to a frenzy erupting early in the venue to the strong confidence, were well-equipped to stun Nick Saban and Alabama. If nothing else, the Razorbacks are the social consciousness in a town, where the masses occupy a craze on Saturdays and traditionally admire a sport we truly idolize.

This might have been, in sense, the game Arkansas needed to win in order to protect its national title bid and be proclaimed as prime contenders. The delusional belief almost happened with the mania increasingly rising in Fayetteville, where rabid supporters wearing seas of red were rambunctious on the opening drive, of course, coming on the first play when Mallett corralled a high snap and hurled a 31-yard pass to Jairus Wright.

Had it not been for Alabama’s blown assignment on defense that allowed Mallett to follow with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Wingo Jr., then Arkansas would have had a harder task scoring on the first drive. It turns out, the Razorbacks are immensely talented, but couldn’t survive in the end to cap arguably the most dazzling upset, as Alabama survived a 24-20 win. It was a bit shocking that Wingo raced out of the backfield uncovered and untouched on an eye-opening drive to boost momentum.

By halftime, Mallett had his team in position to pull off the improbable and delight a record home crowd of 76,808. The atmosphere was solemn and tense, until the impressive drive materialized and forced the spiritual crowd to wildly erupt. The startling notion of the Razorbacks possibly winning, simply felt rational and believable. In the case of the uncertainty and prodigy, it figured that the Razorbacks were capable of smearing ‘Bama’s national title hopes, it figured that they were mentally built to disrupt the mindsets of a dominant football program, and it figured that they were poise to encounter a challenging matchup.


The problem isn’t what happened, though. The problem is that the Razorbacks had the Crimson Tide. The fact is, Ar-Kansas almost secured a win and stayed unbeaten in a way to mount into bowl contention. For now, however, the nation is already convinced Mallett is a frontrunner in the Heisman campaign, a favorable candidate by judging his powerful arm and his ability to lead a high-powered offense. Even though he has the components of franchise quarterback, even though he is the factor on why the Razorbacks are a compelling team, and even though he is NFL-ready, he still has flaws for his inconsistent throwing mechanics.

And clearly, his miscues so badly cost Arkansas a chance of mounting into the BCS picture on a night the state was initially ready to launch a party into the wee hours. It has been since 1969 for which fans have waited for a game with plenty of implications, and a pivotal showdown so immense. At last, the Razorbacks had a shot a of redemption with a 13 point lead in the second half, but all of the sudden, turned complacent and stumbled in the middle of an onslaught against a composed and balanced Crimson Tide. So, he wasn’t exactly flawless, but almost led the team to a triumphant moment and honestly almost heightened his Heisman status.

There was plenty on the line in this contest, with much to prove as a redemptive tale almost wrote a gratifying ending, but he faltered with much at stake. Just like that, he gaffed of what might have been his sweetest win in his collegiate career. With all this, he is still one of the most admirable quarterbacks in the game today, if not the greatest with his incredible arm strength and athleticism. In the end, Arkansas blew a 20-7 third-quarter lead, to painfully doom an optimistic program and leave a large population disappointed.

In the end, he unraveled and gently committed miscues, happening at a moment when he is projected to be a top pick in the draft, and happening at a moment when the Razorbacks were elite in the SEC, evidently tough enough to send Alabama home teary-eyed, depraved of sustaining back-to-back joy. Much to the chagrin of disillusioned fans, the Razorbacks weren’t able to survive a sizable comeback as moments became painful and excruciating.

The dream of becoming BCS elite faded out of the equation in a game that was supposed to regard a stable program with tremendous talent. Undoubtedly, this was the biggest game in history, just as much as it was the biggest letdown. On his aerial blunders, he overthrew his intended receiver for an interception that lead to two interceptions, and doomed the state of a revival football program. For a moment there, it looked as if the game plan Arkansas had exploited would benefit in their favor.


Even if he threw for 250 yards, he fell short and was eclipsed by the Tides’ brutal rushing attack of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. See, in the first half, Alabama abandoned its running game and showcased aerial deficiencies. The rare blemishes of turnovers were costly for the Tide. It was a rarity to see Greg McElroy have first-half miscues, throwing picks on consecutive first-half possessions that gave Arkansas decent field position to gain a 17-7 lead.

But the brand of Alabama is the lethal running game, a clear understatement and underestimating trend. The savoir on a day it seemed the Tide were vulnerable of a collapse was Ingram. Clearly, he had a 54-yard first-half run touchdown run and stiff-armed two defenders down the sideline, and ran for a remarkable 157 yards on 24carries. His dynamic duo, Richardson, compiled 85 yards on just eight touches. But he had the highlight play of the game, when Alabama picked off Mallett to take over at the 12-yard line.

Losing so agonizingly is a heartbreaker for a state that has been waiting for overjoyed moments and dazzling endings. This was very stunning and upsetting to Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, who had his players prepared for a defining game. This was a major blow to an entire state and town.

This one will hurt for a while.

NCAA Waited Late to Crack Down on Hypocrisy, Conspiracy

If there is any ultimate hypocrisy denting collegiate sports, it’s because of the apathy and recklessness of the NCAA.

The same committee that allowed much to poison the prestigious image of college football wasn’t historically stern enough to investigate a repulsive, ongoing scandal.

Before the recent revelations of wannabe or legit sports agents lavishing student-athletes with a wealthier style of living, the NCAA was deceived and publicly embarrassed when dishonest college stars were duplicitous and extorted the indulgent system.

But suddenly, the NCAA is imposing severe sanctions for any wrongdoings and infractions, tarnishing the reputation of collegiate sports and grasping a sense that athletes have had relationships with corrupted agents.

The brand of the NCAA is scams and shams as numerous schools make a mockery of academia, disrespecting the tenor and significance of education.

By now, trustees and the committees are discerned of the average student-athletes’ wishes, unlike decades ago when education represented higher value, rather than lifting to unimaginable heights at the pro level.


But now that we live in the modern age of athletics and reside in a country where the average kid dreams of blossoming as the next acclaimed superstar, it’s realistic to assume kids aren’t attending school to establish a profession as a doctor, lawyer, or even a sports writer.

As of recently, the dark and gloomy times indeed reduces the aspects of purity and rectitude.

But more than anything, schools aren’t getting involved in the unscrupulous infractions that have created dreaded woes and expunged believability.

Four schools are under investigation for agent-related incidents and apparently, it is only the beginning of an ugly ordeal that maligns the integrity and ignores the magnitude of amateur refinement.

There’s a nightmare brewing in the SEC with the issue of incongruities and hypocrisy as the NCAA is conducting investigations in the Southeastern Conference, aiming to drag down the high-powered and superior conference.

If there are top prospects committing to high-caliber universities and older adults are capable of influencing the minds of college athletes, it’s very unlikely to jettison the scandals.

But the NCAA waited too late in cracking down on sleazy agents and allowed matters to turn worse. The probing of Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina are warning signs of infringement and the epitome of ignorance and unawareness within an association in denial.

Years ago, the NCAA never reacted to agents or addressed the countless violations destroying a school’s pride and respectability.

Years ago, the so-called business advisers approached campuses and athletes, awarding uneducated and unprofessional athletes with unlawful gifts and cash. It’s been a fraudulent industry and rarely were the Infraction Committees proactive in probing misleading agents, labeling collegiate sports as a disingenuous business.

Because agents are the sphere of college sports, as are athletic directors for permitting immunity and having no awareness in what strangers are introducing to their student-athletes, it’s disturbing to know that frauds and lies still exist in college sports, looming as the dirtiest crisis in the NCAA.

Greater than coaches recruiting over the phone, overworking players in practice, or hiring hostesses as a way to coax prospects into committing with the program, the NCAA mismanaged conspiracies and negated the poison of a tattered Tank Black—the former sports agent who donated payments to several Florida players.

But eventually he was charged with federal conspiracy and sentenced to seven years in prison. What’s staggering is that the NCAA refused to investigate Black and had access to public records of his payments.

That year, the Gators won the national title with the deepest and most talented team in the nation, but considering that Black had a meaningful relationship with Florida, ultimately the finest program in the nation wasn’t legit and had tarnished because of the misdeeds.

With all the dismal scandals, the NCAA is finally taking action and helping fortify its own cause for monitoring faulty agents, eroding an industry that profits on high-powered talent, rituals and images.

If ever there were a time to dismiss college football, it would be a good time now, with all the latest destruction at USC.


It used to be the most prestigious university before turning into the most poisonous University for violating NCAA rules, deciding to return its replica of Reggie Bush's Heisman trophy and withdraw from all the achievements of Bush and O.J. Mayo.

It took NCAA investigators three years to probe a malicious scandal at USC, accusing the star running back of unlawful deeds. Bush obtained $300,000 from two wannabe agents during his prosperous career with the Trojans, and his parents were given a $757,000 house.

As a way of punishing Bush for embarrassing the program and violating rules, he will be remembered as a forgotten Trojan.

It’s hardly fair to crack down on two players and insult a pair of prolific stars who aren’t fully accountable for the Trojans infractions.

If the administrators weren’t aware, obviously Bush or Mayo weren’t aware of the scandals becoming a trend and casting facades in college football.

Ravaged by shame, Athletic Director Mike Garrett was dismissed of overseeing the ruptured department at USC on Tuesday.

The mental state of the Trojans is anything but flawless, and punishing Garrett is a severe lesson as Southern California is essentially trying to remove the indulgence and apathy in their program. His cockiness and stubbornness impaired a well-respected program, as did Pete Carroll, who is in denial and arrogantly denies the violations as well as the sanctions.

Maybe he fled Southern California for Seattle because of the sanctions. Above all, they are on four-year probation, losing recruits and stripped of a Heisman. All of this ruins the opportunities of grabbing the top prospects in the country.

But now, the affliction resides allegedly at the Swamp and Alabama. Mostly at SEC Media day, all the talk circulated the muck agents, a nightmarish situation that threatens a program withheld of accusations.

Mike Slive, commissioner of the SEC, vented on the ongoing obstacles and requested for “national strategy” and “education not enforcement.”


If there was one irate coach harshly ripping agents, it was Alabama’s Nick Saban during the press conference on Wednesday, once Marcel Dareus of the Crimson Tide was reportedly announced ineligible after the university compliance officials investigated his involvement with agents.

It certainly doesn’t mean he’s an asterisk or a criminal, until proven guilty. And even if he’s accused of violating rules, then accuse the agent of influencing the minds of young and inexperienced athletes.

There are accusations pending against Maurkice Pouncey, but the ex-Florida star denies ever accepting $100,000 from the representation of a sordid agent at the Southeastern Conference title game and the Sugar Bowl last season.

“I did not accept $100,000, it is an absolutely ridiculous claim. I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me,” Pouncey said in a statement released by his attorney, M. Stephen Stanfield.


Recently, he met with Urban Meyer and Athletic Director Jeremy Foley, and told them he’s innocent and never had a relationship or any connections with agents.

“He never lied to me before,” Meyer said.

Isn’t that what we all want to believe?

As much as the nation admires college football, the investigations involving agent-related inquiries are upsetting and absurd, nauseating our stomachs and disappointing our consciousness as North and South Carolina's programs were announced last week to be part of the NCAA investigation.

This isn’t a coincidence or an illusion, but an omen of corruption—something that should have been discovered and handled a long time ago.

Colt McCoy's Painful Blow Is Just Too Bad

He wasn’t scared to showcase agility, nor was he horrified in the national title game. Not when a game was considered the grandest of a four-year career at Texas, where Colt McCoy emerged and evolved into an endearing citizen.

That is, in a four-year period, he was the likeable athlete on campus as many became attached with a prosperous legacy that developed before their very eyes. For the folks in Austin, there’s much to like about McCoy; like the humbleness, poise, and passion for the most physical and famous sport in America.

When the winningest quarterback in college football history reached the final game dreaming to depart a relentless sport that constituted fame, winning the crystal ball would’ve capped a momentous career. But sustaining a critical injury, sadly, diminished belief and abstracted liveliness from an electric crowd that traveled from Texas to root on McCoy and the Longhorns.

The final game of his superlative career would’ve dilated a remarkable stint, where he has accumulated all the greatest deeds in sports. His goal, of course, was to win the national championship; a jubilant accomplishment that would’ve elevated an indomitable legacy, and mounted his draft status as he anticipates flourishing on the next level. Leaving the campus life to build a foundation in the NFL is a gigantic advancement.

However, to make such a transition, health is an element for forging a future in the pros. It’s emphatically mind-blowing to watch a career end in a despairing fashion. One win away from immortality, McCoy witnessed a nightmarish scene that drastically shifted momentum and spirit towards Alabama. It’s very sad to witness an impact player take a fall in the most significant showdown of an exhausted and tedious 12-game season.

It was painful to watch the final three quarters without McCoy’s presence. His absence killed the souls of the energetic and rambunctious Longhorns’ fans, a large crowd wearing orange to represent school spirit.

They suddenly turned petrified and perturbed, realizing McCoy stood as a symbol and a must-needed centerpiece to have a legitimate advantage against a fully talented Alabama. But, unfortunately on this night, he couldn’t be a savior in Pasadena, where the stars arrived to witness what was supposed to be the classic game of the ages.

Turns out, the Longhorns' weakest link is not having a well-experienced quarterback, engineering greatness with his masterful arm-strength and excellent precision. On the fifth play of the first quarter, a night suddenly declined.


By the end of Thursday night, the headlines focused strictly on the health of McCoy and draft status come April. Like an average quarterback would effectuate when in duress, he took matters into his own hands and carried the ball on an option.

At the time it seemed like a smart idea, until his body collided into the helmet of defensive end Marcell Dareus. From there a different outlook was cast on a team that could have beaten the top-ranked team in the nation. Moments later, he dropped to the beautiful turf at the Rose Bowl. His arm rattled in pain. He walked to the sideline as medical staff treated the senior quarterback.

The scary faces finally showed while despairing fans stared nervously as he walked to the locker room to have an x-ray on his throwing shoulder, the shoulder he badly injured. The saddest thing is, he never returned. Nor did he warm up on the sidelines for a potential return.

He was done, even though temptations were high. So for the first time in his career, McCoy had to painfully watch from the sidelines, and observe his teammates attempt dominance without him.

Only can we imagine it was painful to bear, after having a healthy career. His arm was wrapped. His teammates perpetuated a comeback, but it wasn’t enough to forestall the explosive and starved Alabama. Brave enough to survive late off of the heroics of the inexperienced and freshman quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, who wasn’t bad for a replacement. As confident and titillated the Longhorns seemed about winning a national championship, McCoy’s absence lowered their confidence level.

But more impressive is the fact that Texas hung in there, even though Alabama pulled away late to preserve a 37-21 victory to tell the world the prestigious program is back. Nick Saban, the coach responsible for retooling an unbalanced program, was drenched with Gatorade. It was a thrilling win for a school known for its dominance in the sport. But it was disappointing to watch the Longhorns in what became a long night, a game that didn’t finish in their favor. The Longhorns could have won, if the doctors and coach Mack Brown cleared him to play. But to be cautious, he noticed McCoy had severe pain in his throwing shoulder.

“He was in pain at halftime, and he and his dad were sitting in there with the doctors,” said Brown. “I never even asked the doctors because I could tell, he didn’t need to be back out on the field.”

It really didn’t seem like a serious hit, when McCoy suffered the contact. But it was, removing him from a night he had patiently waited to participate in. It hurt Texas’ offense mightily, unveiling when Gilbert heaved four interceptions on the night, with a few carrying towards the direction of Alabama’s All-American cornerback Javier Arenas.

There were times when he built up momentum and assurance to put aside the blunders. There were several plays where he found Texas’ top receiver Jordan Shipley, a reliable target that has dangerous speed and is great at spreading out the field. As we know, McCoy’s favorite target, roommate, friend and miracle performer who happened to catch McCoy’s accurate throw while riding in a boat on Lake Whitney, was involved in the offense and helped finish a few well-executed plays.

Shipley finished the night with two touchdowns and changed the complexion of the game. Suddenly, the lead was cut within three after the Longhorns trailed on the scoreboard. For much of the night, it was 24-6 before turning into a threatening situation when Alabama led 24-21. Momentarily, the frenzied crowd had a difficult time watching and accepting the latest comeback.

But when linebacker Eryk Anders eased the fear of losing, the crowd increased the intensity level. With three minutes left, he sacked Gilbert and forced a fumble. None of the Longhorns’ players were successful in recovering the loose ball, in which Courtney Upshaw recovered to relax a much-tensed crowd.

Wow. What a sigh of relief.


McCoy, a wise player, was supposed to win, to elevate a sheer legacy. But, unfortunately, it was heartbreaking as our country witnessed an Alabama team that appeared lackadaisical and careless in the first half.

Although he missed the critical part of the game, McCoy had his work cut out for him, meeting a dynamic defensive force that Saban has cultivated. By far, in college football history, we may have witnessed the best defensive class in Tuscaloosa.

Next year, the Crimson Tide may have a much-depleted defense if Terence Cody and Rolando McClain, a pair of powerful defensive stars, decide to declare for the NFL. Meanwhile, we never had a chance to really find out if McCoy could withstand the potent defense.

Early on, the Longhorns made a strong case by forcing the Tide to commit turnovers, which is why Saban’s team didn’t look prepared for the challenge until McCoy left for the night. There’s no doubt in our minds, we never expected the greatest quarterback to collapse. Despite predictions of Alabama trouncing the Longhorns, McCoy painfully going down was never forecast. His devastating loss completely hooked the 'Horns.

Sadly, we never saw this coming as it seemed too special to implode.

Validated: Alabama Is Title Worthy

For the first time ever, at least from what I can remember, Tim Tebow broke down mentally and dripped tears before thousands at the Georgia Dome, where you couldn’t argue it was an electric, national title atmosphere.

The Florida Gators encountered an interesting challenge, a rigid matchup against a superior opponent, and Alabama bombarded the well-balanced villains of the Southern Eastern Conference.

Instantly, it smeared a potential dream of creating a historic finish in NCAA history. It smeared an inconceivable dynasty built on Tebow’s inspirational leadership and unparalleled sprints, stiff-arms and jump passes. Of course, the country such as ESPN’s College Gameday analysts Lee Corso or Kirk Herbstriet, predicted the Gators are victorious crusaders.

This country had forgotten about a potent and dynamic program in the same conference. This country paid less attention to an entire state, which admires football and spends their average Saturday afternoon’s rooting on a systematic program, brilliantly built by Coach Nick Saban.

That would be the Alabama Crimson Tide, a robust program aiming for a national title amid their endeavor. It earned hype as the biggest SEC showdown in conference history, simply for the two powerhouse teams that define college football.

Without Florida-‘Bama in a fray, the game is dull and the BCS system suddenly becomes elusive. If there’s no Florida-‘Bama, there isn’t a point for having a conversation on football.

For a few years now, it has been interesting watching the SEC as the Deep South kept us guessing and produced action-packed, high-powered excitement. Before our very eyes, Florida is no longer as threatening or powerful. Instead, the boys from Sweet Home Alabama have convenient tools to win the national title next month.

After pounding the Gators, not allowing fans to perform the Gator Chomp gestures, emotions flared in an unusual way. Instead, shedding tears indicated agony as a reign many were accustomed to suddenly ceased. Dating back to last season when a distraught Tebow emotionally apologized and promised to fans following a disappointing loss to Mississippi, consecutive losses weren’t much of a concern, until the Gators finally saw triumph perish.

However, the Tide finally avenged their upsetting loss a year ago against the Gators, which cost a national title berth. Getting used to a well-balanced program isn’t as bad as it seems. Yet, Tebow won’t arrive to perform his erratic jump passes or another remarkable finish, Alabama has similarities with a relentless rush attack engaged to confront amid an onslaught all times on turf. Such as playing the Gators, when almost every possession was blown sprints, spins, stiff-arms, and blistering speed of tailback Mark Ingram.

His three touchdown effort set a mental tone in the game, to whereas the Tide dominated until time expired and emerged a celebration. Of course, a delirious Alabama crowd embraced a spirited moment, cheering on the boys from Sweet Home Alabama. In contrast, the Gators were throbbed in a 32-13 loss, and an inspirational tale came to a terminal in a game the religious and well-respected sports figure in the country dripped tears onto his eyeblack.

For the longest time, it took the longest yard for Alabama to reach a pinnacle most are accustomed to. Well, the program finally has a resembling coach of Bear Bryant. When Saban committed to take on a prestigious job in the country, he left behind a complex job at the pro level, signing an enormous deal to coach Alabama. This country criticized him, teased him, expressed anger for a well-known reputation of accepting jobs because of greed and riches.


But now, we can praise Saban for bringing tough-minded, charismatic leadership to this program. Besides dwelling on whether he left behind unfinished business to coach a program willing to throw in huge bucks, dwell on the fact he has revived a program.

Now, we can utter, he prepares kids for big games against huge opponents. If you notice, Alabama plays with tremendous urgency, heart and resiliency. During press conferences Saban emphasizes the point of remaining alert when facing any team.

If someone has grudges with Saban, it doesn’t matter much. Folks, in Alabama appreciate his ability to recruit top high school prospects. If he tries even more so, Saban could possess nearly every top prospect in the South.

Almost everyone knows Saban is experienced and has been around the game long enough to inspire a convincing core. As a result, the Tide are a victory away of renovating championship notability for the first time since winning it all in 1992.

If the Tide smeared a historic picture by manipulating and pummeling the Gators, same goes for the Texas Longhorns. Being denied of a historical finish is painful, especially if you are an upperclassman. And Tebow is a senior, in which it was agonizing missing out on a return to the national title game and trying departing with a bang.

From the bright side, Tebow accomplished something ordinary athletes couldn’t. He was named a Heisman winner, and hoisted the stiff-armed statue. Aside the individual awards, Tebow celebrated and hoisted memorable trophies such as the crystal football, winning three national titles.

Unfortunately, the Gators won’t win its third national title in four years, losing for the first time in 22 games. So now, Alabama will travel to Pasadena, not for roses but a national title game every team dreams to participate in.

With a chaotic BCS system, a team has to be near perfect if expecting to qualify for the final game. And the Tide are near perfect.


Rarely is there a team with complete depth, having its way against defending champs. Ingram ran faster than lighting, McElroy removed the saboteur label and now is an essential piece to Alabama’s championship beliefs.

Julio Jones, arguably the nation’s best wide receiver, was explosive and outran Florida’s defenders, catching an 18-yard touchdown pass on the first play from the line of scrimmage.

Another national title is out of the equation. Had the Gators won, they’d have been off to Pasadena. But instead, the losers earn a privilege to play in the Sugar Bowl, a BCS game with less prestige. As for Alabama, exalted winners will fulfill a dream and play for a national title.

Good luck, Texas. The Tide come in with a complete package, a package full of potential champs.