The Other McCain

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Alabama vs. Oklahoma Tonight

Posted on | December 29, 2018 | Comments Off on Alabama vs. Oklahoma Tonight

 

Did you know that tonight’s national championship semifinal between Alabama and Oklahoma will match the two best quarterbacks in the country?

Seldom do a Heisman winner and his runner-up meet after the winner is crowned. Even given that rarity, this may be the best postseason clash of college quarterbacks we’ve ever seen. Both are coming off of historic regular seasons, with each in line to trump the record for Total Quarterback Rating, which ESPN has tracked since 2004 and is measured on a scale of 0 to 100. . . .
“Kyler Murray has accomplished more in one season and had more impact on the Sooners’ tradition in one season than any other player in our history,” former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer told The Athletic. “He’s broke all the damn records.” . . .
At the same time, [Tua] Tagovailoa has been the figurehead of the Tide’s offensive ascension since replacing Jalen Hurts in last season’s national championship game. Saban has been in Tuscaloosa since 2007, and this year’s offense has been his best in terms of, well, everything.

Alabama has produced an average of 527.6 yards and 43.9 points per game. The big question tonight is Tagovailoa’s ankle:

Alabama sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said his injured left ankle, which required a minor surgical procedure to repair four weeks ago, is at about “80 to 85 percent” as the top-ranked Crimson Tide prepares for Saturday’s Orange Bowl national semifinal against No. 4 Oklahoma.
The sophomore provided the update Wednesday at the first media availability for the Crimson Tide since arriving in South Florida. He said he was continuing to undergo rehabilitation in hopes of recovering fully from the injury he sustained against Georgia in the SEC championship game. . . .
“Tua’s been able to practice and get all the reps that he’s needed to get,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Monday. “It’ll be interesting to see after having a few days off, with the additional rehab, how that impacts his ability to get closer to 100 percent.”

Playing against the Heisman Trophy winner less than a month after ankle surgery? No big deal. Just another game. Roll Tide.

My son bought me a new HDTV for Christmas, so I’ll be here watching the game after tonight’s episode of The Other Podcast.



 

Category: Alabama, Football, Oklahoma

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