Better late than never: Scouting the national championship game

So, Colt McCoy is hurt and Texas already has two scores. Why not start an open thread for the national title game? I'll leave some thoughts in this post and respond in the comments to whatever comes up.

And also check out these scouting reports if you haven't:
• Colt McCoy
• Sergio Kindle
• Terrence Cody
• Javier Arenas

SBNation.com also has coverage.

Find coverage after the jump.

I'm not sure who Mark Ingram reminds me of, but he's a really tough and smart runner. He's not draft-eligible, but he definitely has an NFL future. Emmitt Smith seems like a good comparison, but that might be because they shared the same number.

From the national anthem until now, the music tonight has been miserable.

Oh, if you're so inclined, check out the Studs & Duds of the NFL, as voted by the pro football bloggers. I partook in this, but barely added any thoughts.

I'm impressed by the agility Cody showed playing fullback. Perhaps I underrated it in that report. Regardless, I'm still not a fan.

Earl Thomas, the excellent redshirt sophomore safety, has been pretty quiet so far. He didn't exactly shine in the Big 12 title game either. I still like him as a first round pick if he comes out.

Nice coverage sack from Kindle. It was a nice play by him, but nothing special from an evaluation standpoint.

Kind of a bummer that McCoy got knocked out of the game. Takes away a lot of the excitement of it. This is why guys like McCoy, Sam Bradford and now Gilbert can't be as skinny as they are. No starting quarterbacks are less than 220 pounds in the NFL and shouldn't be in college either.

If anyone is curious, Texas' third quarterback is junior Sherrod Harris. Personally, I don't know a lot about him.

See why Arenas has a future in the pros? Imagine him lining up in the slot with a safety over top. His first step is so good he'll have to be accounted for as a pass rusher.

Rolando McClain is quietly having a great game. I hope he comes out. Excellent player.

So, I kind of have the hots for Ellen Page. However, I'm 27. This kind of makes me feel like a pedo, even though she's 22 (I had to look that up, honest).

Richardson is the best running back prospect on Alabama, which says something considering they have three. He's so fast and has giant legs. They're not Maurice Jones-Drew big, but pretty massive.

And if someone knows where Taco Bells look this good, tell me. Every Taco Bell I've been too, which hasn't been many, the people working there look like they subsist on discount Chalupas.

ESPN's Joe Schad, who seems to know everything always, says McCoy will be re-evaluated at half and is not officially out. Why not just re-evaluate him now?

Terrible throw by Gilbert. There were three Alabama guys right there. Should have just thrown it away. Arenas showed great instincts on the interception.

Terrible tackling technique on that last Ingram run by Kindle. He likes to hit, but does he like to wrap up?

Football games with mostly bad quarterback play are kind of the pits. Greg McElroy is a winner, but he's not a next-level quarterback. And finally Thomas gets in on a good play – a torpedo tackle on Richardson.

If anyone cares, it looks like Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is going pro. I would too if I played in that offense.

What Texas could really use right now is a tight end. They really don't have one worth a squat. That would help Gilbert. They have no check down players.

I can watch football on a iPod or iPhone? Wow, that has to be fantastic! No, not really.

Positive: Texas gets the ball to start the second half. Negative: They probably won't have McCoy.

Given the field position, this was a good stop by Texas. I'm going to make a snack for half time. I'm hungry like the wolf.

Does anything in college athletics 1) suck as much as band music or 2) look dumber than the Texas band's outfits. Goodness gracious. We get it, you're an olde tyme school with olde tyme traditions, but come on.

Maybe Vince Young can suit up for Texas. Just say he's Sherrod Harris. Wearing shorts. And not getting sat behind a true freshman. And throwing all goofy.

Dave Matthews Band. Kill me now.

Gilbert's pass efficiency number is negative 33.36. No joke. Jordan Shipley has one touch. No joke. Brent Musburger's tie goes down to his penis. No joke.

D.J. Monroe has been really effective for Texas. Why they're not going to him, I don't know.

The Longhorns clearly have the speed advantage against Alabama. If I remember right, Harris can run the option. Why not give him a try? Gilbert has been a disaster, which isn't totally his fault.

Texas cornerback Aaron Williams really intrigues me. H's not draft eligible, but he's shown some real flashes of greatness this year. He's big and can be physical. Keep him in mind.

As bad as Gilbert has looked, his offensive line isn't helping him. Neither are his wide receivers. However, Shipley still isn't seeing the ball that much. And just as I finish that sentence he catches a pass for a first down.

Kindle is an exciting player, no doubt. However, I wonder if he can routinely make ordinary plays. How often does he just get a standard tackle on a running back?

What's a darker orange than burnt orange? The skin color of Texas' white cheerleaders, apparently.

All right, I give. That play by Kindle was outstanding. He's putting together a highlight reel to show GMs.

It seems like Alabama has much better luck running behind the left side of their line. Anchoring that part of the line is guard Mike Johnson. He's a senior and pretty good. It's a good guess, I think, that he'll be picked in the first four rounds.

Funny line from Bruce Feldman: Texas might be primed for a first: having more sacks than passing yards.

Texas needs to stop trying to run up the middle. They're getting nothing. Stay to the outside and utilize your speed.

Great fake kickoff by Texas. You don't see them like that often. They need to capitalize on it, though.

It appears as though I lost my audience. I think I'll just watch the game now.