ESPN College Football

My Heisman Trophy ballot has changed every week for the last couple of months.

I'm not surprised there are more than three players going to the trophy presentation.

Five players were invited to New York for Saturday night's Heisman Trophy presentation -- quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor, tailbacks Montee Ball of Wisconsin and Trent Richardson of Alabama and cornerback Tyrann Mathieu of LSU.

It's a shame the Heisman Trust didn't have room for three more quarterbacks because Houston's Case Keenum, USC's Matt Barkley and Boise State's Kellen Moore were just as deserving.

With five finalists going to New York, it figures to be one of the closer votes in recent Heisman Trophy history.

The closest vote in Heisman Trophy history came just two years ago, when Alabama tailback Mark Ingram edged Stanford's Toby Gerhart by only 28 points. Ingram received 227 first-place votes, Gerhart got 222 and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, the second runner-up, received 203.

Given the number of finalists and their geographical regions, we could have another really close finish on Saturday night.

Luck, the runner-up to Auburn's Cam Newton last season, entered the 2011 season as the Heisman Trophy favorite. His performance didn't slip much this season, as he completed 70 percent of his passes for 3,170 yards with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

I still feel Luck might be the most valuable player on any team in the country. Without him, there's no way the Cardinal is ranked No. 4 in the country and playing No. 3 Oklahoma State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Luck has done more with less, as Stanford lacks the game-changing playmakers that other teams have.

But Luck might still be the second-best quarterback in New York. Griffin, who is widely known as RG3, completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 3,998 yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 644 yards with nine touchdowns.

Without him, the Bears wouldn't have beaten TCU, Oklahoma and Texas. Griffin's one drawback: He had a late interception that sealed the Bears' fate in a 36-35 loss at Kansas State on Oct. 1 and threw two picks in a 59-24 loss at Oklahoma State on Oct. 29. But with everything else RG3 has done this season, it's easy to give him a mulligan for the miscues.

I still believe Richardson is the best player in the country. He looked like the best player on the field in No. 2 Alabama's 9-6 loss in overtime to No. 1 LSU on Nov. 5. He had 89 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards in a game where every yard mattered. He finished the season with 1,583 yards with 20 touchdown runs and three touchdown catches. He's also Mr. Dependable, not losing a fumble in his past 520 touches and only once in 614 career touches.

Ball has been a scoring machine for the No. 10 Badgers this season, running for 1,759 yards with 32 touchdown runs and six touchdown receptions. His 38 total touchdowns are one shy of matching former Oklahoma State running back Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season record of 39 set in 11 games in 1988. Ball's production helped lead the Badgers to a Jan. 2 date against Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO.

Mathieu fell off my ballot after he was suspended from playing in the Tigers' 45-10 victory over Auburn on Oct. 22 for smoking synthetic marijuana. But his big plays helped the Tigers overcome deficits in each of their last two victories, over Arkansas and Georgia in the SEC championship game.

Mathieu -- aka the "Honey Badger" -- is the best player on the top-ranked team. He leads the Tigers with 70 tackles and has forced six fumbles and recovered five. He also is the most dynamic punt returner I've seen since Florida State's Deion Sanders. Mathieu has scored four touchdowns -- two on fumble returns and two on punt returns.

To penalize Mathieu for one foolish mistake wouldn't have been right. After all, Newton was briefly ruled ineligible at Auburn last season and 2010 Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James of Oregon was suspended from playing in last season's opener.

On Monday the five finalists invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony were revealed. This year has featured one of the most interesting races for the Heisman as no one player has stood from the rest.

Here's a look at what a Heisman Trophy win -- or loss -- would mean to these players and their respective schools.

Trent Richardson, Alabama
Two seasons ago Trent Richardson was a part of a National Championship team with a Heisman Trophy winner, when running back Mark Ingram became Alabama's first winner. Richardson has nearly identical numbers to Ingram this season, and has already totaled 23 touchdowns compared to Ingram's 20 TD's.

If Richardson were to win the award it would put him and Ingram in some rare company. In the history of the Heisman Trophy only three times have two different players playing the same position at the same school won the award in a span of three seasons. It last happened when USC QB Matt Leinart won it in 2004 after Carson Palmer had taken home the award in 2002.

Andrew Luck, Stanford
Luck is listed second here as he finished second for the Heisman last season and Stanford has actually had the Heisman runner-up in each of the past two seasons (Toby Gerhart, 2009).

If Luck wins he would be the second player in Stanford history to win the award (Jim Plunkett, 1970) and join 1981 Herschel Walker as the only Heisman runner-ups to win the award the next season.

If Luck finishes second, Stanford would set a record. No school has ever had a Heisman runner-up in three consecutive seasons.

Montee Ball, Wisconsin
Montee Ball earned his invite thanks to his impressive numbers. Ball needs one touchdown in the Rose Bowl to tie Barry Sanders' FBS record for touchdowns in a season (39). Sanders won the Heimsan trophy during that 1988 season.

Ball's 38 touchdowns are the most by a Big Ten player since Eddie George had 25 in his Heisman Trophy winning 1995 season.

Robert Griffin III, Baylor
RGIII finished off a great regular season in which he threw 36 touchdowns compared to only six interceptions, while also leading Baylor to nine wins, its most since the 1986 season.

Griffin's invite is an accomplishment in its own considering he plays for Baylor. The Bears have only had one player finish in the top five of the Heisman vote in school history. In 1963 Don Trull finished fourth.

If Baylor's Robert Griffin III wins the Heisman Trophy this year, he will be just the third player since the BCS was established in 1998 to win the Heisman without his team playing in a BCS bowl game.

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
The Honey Badger will take the trip to New York looking to join Charles Woodson as the only defensive backs to win the Heisman trophy.

Despite being a defensive player, recent history is on Mathieu's side to take home the award. Since 2003, seven of the past eight Heisman Trophy winners have come from the team at number one in the BCS standings entering the National Championship Game.

Not much movement in this week's race. Two candidates were inactive, and no top players struggled.

Alas, here are the Big 12 players with the best shot to win the Heisman. Only the top two candidates are realistic ones, and both look likely to earn trips to New York if they win on Saturday and play well. If we've learned one thing this year, it's that no matter how hard we try, we really can't project what's coming in this game.

1. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Last week: 7-11, 106 yards, TD, 14 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD in 66-24 win over Texas Tech.

Making the case for Griffin III: Griffin missed the entire second half after suffering from concussion-like symptoms, but his teammates picked up the slack. Running back Terrance Ganaway carried the ball 42 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns to set a school record. RG3's got a tough test this week against the Big 12's best defense: Texas.

2. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Last week: Off.

Making the case for Weeden: It's going to be tough, but if Weeden can play huge in a big spot against Oklahoma to win the Big 12, and if Baylor loses with a poor effort from Robert Griffin III, he could get some more serious mention. The hard part: Alabama's Trent Richardson and Stanford's Andrew Luck are idle this weekend.

3. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State

Last week: Off.

Making the case for Klein: Klein got some much-needed rest this week, but he'll be back in action against Iowa State this week. It's been a great season for Klein, and he might be the most valuable player of anyone in the Big 12. He's carried the ball more than only five players in college football and 45 more times than any QB. Only Wisconsin's Montee Ball has more touchdowns. Look out for him in 2012.

4. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Last week: 22-43, 254 yards, 2 INT in a 26-6 win over Iowa State.

Making the case for Jones: Jones was held without a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game, but he played in crazy wind in Norman. All things considered, he played pretty well, and one of his interceptions was off an inexplicable drop. The Heisman may be off the table, but Jones can win a second Big 12 title in Stillwater on Saturday.

Here's how I voted in ESPN's weekly Heisman Watch:

1. Robert Griffin III
2. Trent Richardson
3. Andrew Luck
4. Case Keenum
5. Brandon Weeden

Before we kick off this week's Heisman Watch, a quick quote from last week's Heisman Watch.

With a pretty bigtime performance and an undefeated team, Weeden is looking more and more like a legit candidate to challenge Andrew Luck. A loss by Stanford to Oregon on Saturday might shake up this whole race, and don't be surprised to see Weeden at the top of the list this time next week.

Ta-DAH! Luck's Cardinal went down. So did Kellen Moore's Boise State team. Suddenly, Weeden has surged as a legitimate threat to win the whole shebangabang.

Weeden took over the lead in total first-place votes in our ESPN Heisman Watch, but is only in third place overall. How? Four of our 15 voters didn't have Weeden on their ballot at all. This is the part where I sigh dismissively. As expected, this one will likely come down to Bedlam. Win with a big performance, and the award may be Weeden's.

Here's how the Big 12's candidates sit, with a new addition at No. 3.

1. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Last week: 31-37, 423 yards, 5 TD in a 66-6 win over Texas Tech.

Making the case for Weeden: Weeden was the catalyst in the worst loss in Texas Tech history. Despite windy conditions, he was his usual self, putting up staggering numbers and sitting for the fourth quarter. Later in the day, as mentioned above, Weeden slid up near or at the top of the national Heisman scene.

2. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Last week: Off.

Making the case for Jones: Jones is still hanging around the second tier of national contenders for the award, but he'll have a couple showcase games down the stretch, taking on a ranked Baylor team in primetime this week before closing the season against OSU on Dec. 3.

3. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State

Last week: 17-27, 281 yards, TD, INT. 35 carries, 103 yards, 5 TD in a 53-50 win over Texas A&M in 4 OT.

Making the case for Klein: Klein makes his season debut on this least after a week in which he accounted for six touchdowns. He's now the nation's leader with 24 touchdowns and needs three more to break Longhorns legend Ricky Williams' all-time Big 12 record. His opponent this week: Texas.

4. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Last week: 22-29, 312 yards, 3 TD, INT. 10 carries, 103 yards, TD.

Making the case for Griffin: The Baylor 21-point fourth-quarter comeback was sparked by Griffin's 49-yard touchdown run, and he added two more long touchdown passes to force overtime, where the Bears got a defensive stop for the win. Griffin needs a win over Oklahoma this week to get back into the serious conversation.

Here's how I voted in ESPN's weekly Heisman Watch:

1. Brandon Weeden
2. Andrew Luck
3. Trent Richardson
4. LaMichael James
5. Case Keenum

A change at the top this week after Baylor's season saw its first loss.

Let's take a look at how the Big 12's Heisman candidates might look if voting took place today.

1. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Last week: 23-33, 425 yards, 5 TD, INT in a 62-6 win over Ball State.

Making the case for Jones: Jones has been steady and is putting up numbers indicative of a Heisman contender. His campaign will either hit a huge bump or boost on Saturday when he meets Texas in the Cotton Bowl for the third time in his career, a game that Sooners' success within can define their individual careers.

2. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Last week: 23-31, 346 yards, 5 TD, INT in a 36-35 loss to Kansas State.

Making the case for Griffin: Griffin is far from out of the race. He'll still have plenty of chances to inject himself back into the thick of it when he plays former Big 12 South opponents. His lone interception of the season came when he was hit as he threw, a bit of a fluke play. He had a chance late to rally his team on a game-winning drive, though, and didn't do it.

3. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Last week: Chilled at home while his coach served as guest analyst for ESPN.

Making the case for Weeden: Weeden's Heisman buzz will hit its crescendo late in the season if the Cowboys keep winning and reach a showdown against Oklahoma on Dec. 3 undefeated. His numbers will be there.

4. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

Last week: 4 rec, 109 yards, 2 TDs in a 62-6 win over Ball State.

Making the case for Broyles: Broyles had a historic Saturday night, writing his name down as the Big 12's career leader for receptions with plenty of time to catch a few more. He needs one more touchdown and 509 more yards to become the Big 12's career leader in those categories, too.

5. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Last week: Off.

Making the case for Blackmon: Blackmon won't see his stock change much this weekend against Kansas, but like Weeden, his Heisman hopes will rise with OSU's win total.

Finally, here's what my ballot looked like in ESPN's weekly Heisman Watch:

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
3. Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
4. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
5. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Bryce Brown's debut for Kansas State has been underwhelming.

Now, whether it will continue is up for discussion.

Brown has not attended any team activities since returning from last week's win over Miami, according to a report in the Wichita Eagle.

He is not expected to play this Saturday when K-State faces No. 15 Baylor at Snyder Family Stadium, though he could play in future games. A team spokesman neither confirmed nor denied Brown's status with the team.

When reached Thursday afternoon, Brown's advisor, Brian Butler, who spoke to K-State coaches in person earlier this week, said he was unsure whether Brown had left the program.

Brown has three carries for 16 yards this season, but hasn't recorded a stat in two games. He lost a fumble deep in Kansas State territory in the season opener to set up Eastern Kentucky's only touchdown. He missed the second game against Kansas State with a minor injury and played sparingly against Miami, being pulled after missing a block.

Snyder acknowledged personal problems facing Brown, earlier this week. Butler acknowledged the same to the Eagle.

"There are some off-the-field things that are going on," Butler said. "He's a competitor and any competitor wants to play. Obviously, Bryce has been used to playing for a bunch of years. I would assume that it is somewhat frustrating for him, but it goes way beyond football."

On Tuesday, Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said Brown was dealing with complex issues.

"Bryce is going through some difficult times right now," Snyder said. "We'll try to help him all we can."

Brown originally signed with Tennessee in 2009 as the nation's No. 8 overall recruit and No. 2 running back, behind only Alabama's Trent Richardson.

He ran for 460 yards as a freshman Volunteer before transferring to Kansas State and being named a preseason All-Big 12 selection.

After a year away, Oklahoma returned to the national title game to give the Big 12 three appearances in four seasons. This time around, though, the Sooners brought the national title back to Big 12 country, beating Alabama* 27-17 and ending the SEC's run of five consecutive BCS titles in this EA Sports simulation.

The win gave the Sooners their first national title since 2000 and the program's second under Bob Stoops.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson opened the scoring with a lengthy run, but Oklahoma back Roy Finch answered soon after with the same to tie the game at seven.

Richardson finished with 96 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

Landry Jones helped the Sooners take the lead with a long touchdown pass to Ryan Broyles, who made an acrobatic catch in the back of the end zone, albeit not as acrobatic as the late grab he made against UConn for a touchdown, the last time he was on the BCS stage.

Jones finished with 288 yards passing against an Alabama defense littered with NFL talent, connecting for a pair of touchdowns.

In the video above, you can see Bob Stoops celebrating his team's title on the podium.

*this, just like our last look at the Fiesta Bowl, is clearly real life

Three of the most talked-about players in Kansas State's spring camp have never suited up in a Wildcats uniform.

Expectations from fans and media are high for all three, but for now, coach Bill Snyder isn't ready to tell anyone just what to expect.

"These are quality young people, wonderful youngsters and very, very fine players," he said during the Big 12's conference call on Tuesday. "But I wouldn’t go beyond that at this point in time, because they haven’t, in either case, had the opportunity to step up and prove themselves."

Bryce and Arthur Brown are brothers and Wichita, Kan., natives. Bryce, a running back, originally signed with Tennessee before transferring back to Kansas State to be closer to home. Arthur, a linebacker, did the same after signing with Miami originally.

Both were five-star recruits, among the best in their class at their positions. In Arthur Brown's class, ESPN pegged only five players better than him, and four (A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Terrelle Pryor, Da'Quan Bowers) became household names over the course of their careers.

Alabama's Trent Richardson was the only running back ESPN ranked above Bryce Brown.

Neither Brown brother stuck at their respective program.

Quarterback Justin Tuggle, meanwhile, started briefly at Boston College after leaving high school as the nation's No. 38 quarterback. Last year, he spent the season filling Heisman winner Cam Newton's shoes at Blinn College in Texas.

Snyder has built a reputation on turning transfers from junior colleges and other Division I programs into stars, and the Wildcats hope that will be the case with their new trio, who will finally get their chance this fall.

"Are they going to step on the field and be instant successes to an extremely high degree? I can’t guarantee that," Snyder said. "I’d like for it to happen, they’d like for it to happen, our players would like for it to happen, and our coaches, but I wouldn’t instill that kind of pressure on either one of them."

The Brown Brothers have been in the program for a year, and Arthur has already drawn rave reviews for his work on the scout team last year. Tuggle, a dual-threat quarterback, arrived this semester and is working on learning the Wildcats offense while competing with Collin Klein and Sammuel Lamur to win the starting job.

"I’d hate to put a ceiling on anybody’s capabilities, whether it’s a transfer student or young people who have been in our program for a period of time. It would be hard to say this is what their limitations are. We try to stress not placing limitations on their abilities to perform successfully," Snyder said. "They weren’t in a position where they were on the field, the kind of repetition that is quality or signifies quick improvement, but they are now and each and all of them are making headway. Where does that take them? That’s certainly up to them."

A couple quick housekeeping items before we get to the questions:

I got a few e-mails over the weekend about the Texas A&M link on the site's sidebar down the right side of the blog not working and leading you to a blank page. That's been fixed. You can view all posts about Texas A&M through that link now.

Miss your team's mailbag? Here's who we've covered so far?

• Texas Tech

Cray in Dallas, Texas, writes: I was just perusing the ESPN website and saw a "List Ranker - Rank 'Em: College Football Quaterbacks". I was oh so excited to see how other people had my Jerrod Johnson ranked against the nations elite. But to my surprise he wasn't even listed as 1 of the top 15 QBs in the nation. I see Josh Brantly which didn't play any meaningful playing time last year. Three Big 12 Qbs are listed, Gabbert (I agree with), Gilbert (Played one half of meaningful football), and Griffin (injured for 2/3 of the season). Is Jerrod really national percieved as the 4th best QB in the Big 12? What gives?

David Ubben: I got about 5-10 e-mails about this Monday and a handful more today. I'll say this: He's not No. 4 in the Big 12 on my list. I suggest we nickname him Jerrod “Like Terrelle Pryor, except good” Johnson. If only Johnson had drawn out his recruitment into one big melodrama so everyone in America knew his name. Also, all non-Texas A&M fans, spare yourself the embarrassment: It's pronounced "juh-RAHD." Like Sayid's last name from Lost.

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Mary in College Station, Texas, asks: How much of a chance do you think we have of winning the Big XII South? I'm thinking if by some miracle Texas and Oklahoma just do really bad this year we might have a chance. But I guess thats just wishful thinking. Thoughts?

DU: Texas and Oklahoma being on the down part of their yearly cycle (as I’ve said before, that usually just means 10 wins instead of 11) is a big part of the hype for Texas A&M. They’ve got a shot to jump up and do it this year, but it all comes down to the defense. It just has to be better. But, handicapping the South, I’ll say Texas at 42 percent. Oklahoma at 38. Texas A&M at 15 percent and Texas Tech at five percent.

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Michael in College Station,Texas, asks: There has been some articles or websites with a good amount of hype for Jerrod Johnson to win the Heisman, and there has been some saying the least bit about him winning. What do you see his chances being of winning the Heisman?

DU: Part of that disagreement comes from the Heisman’s most important stat: wins. Texas A&M only had six of them, and if writers don’t believe Texas A&M can win at least nine games, there’s no point in considering Johnson for the Heisman. You can’t disagree with his passing, rushing or touchdown numbers. But without the wins, those are all pretty hollow and end up getting you left off lists of the best quarterbacks nationally. If he stays healthy, he’ll put up the numbers. But he has to have the wins.

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Jesse Thompson in College Station writes: The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band is hands down the best band in the Big 12, right David? Alright thanks.

DU: Eh, I can never really get into the whole band thing. If they start throwing stuff in the air or setting stuff on fire, I’ll check it out. Otherwise, it’s all kind of the same to me.

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Frederic in Corpus Christi, Texas, writes: David do you think that the Aggies will have a better defense this year with new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter?

DU: It’s tough to see them being any worse. They have the advantage of practicing against the best offense in the Big 12, and never having to play them in a game. They’re somewhat at a disadvantage in having all the great offensive teams -- excluding Missouri -- in the South. The defense doesn’t need to be great. It needs to just not be awful and stop giving up 30 points a game. Get inside the top 50 or 60 nationally, start allowing closer to 20 or 25 points a game, and they’re going to give the offense a chance to win a lot of games. They just can’t have the complete defensive breakdowns like they had against Kansas State or Oklahoma last year.

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Ethan Ballinger in College Station, Texas, writes: Where does A&M's running back duo, in Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray stack up against the rest of the country? And why was Michael not on the top 25? 844 yards, 10 TD's as the #2 guy (and a freshman). His stats were basically were a mirror image of Trent Richardson's and Richardson is getting much more hype.

DU: Any running back duo that wins a national title is obviously going to get more publicity than two that win half as many games. Excluding the Oklahoma game, he had a nice finish to the season, and he should have a nice year coming up, but you’re going to get more respect putting up those numbers in the SEC. Additionally, just watch Alabama play for a long stretch. Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael are a great duo, but they’re just not on the level of Mark Ingram and Richardson.

PASADENA, Calif. -- The wear and tear was noticeable on their faces. Tired Texas players like Lamarr Houston and Roddrick Muckelroy showed the effects of trying to contain bruising Alabama running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson during a long night at the Rose Bowl.

The Longhorns’ No. 1 national defense was gashed for a season-worst 205 rushing yards as Ingram rushed for 116 yards and Richardson added 109 in Alabama’s 37-21 victory in the Citi BCS National Championship game.

But despite those numbers, Texas made adjustments in the second half and the defense was one of the key reasons the Longhorns had a chance to win. Texas allowed only 57 rushing yards after the break, and continually came up with the key plays that were missing in the first half.

"The defense was out there a lot with (quarterback) Colt McCoy being gone,” Houston said. “We were playing tough and played through a lot of adversity all night long. And we were right there.”

The Longhorns’ defense came up with three, three-and-out possessions to start the second half, and Alabama's only two scores of the second half came off late turnovers. The Texas defense gave the Longhorns a chance to pull back into the game when the offense finally started clicking behind freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert.

“We did all we could do to keep the game close,” Muckelroy said. “The defense stepped up and made some plays. They got us early, but in the end, about four plays killed us.”

Richardson’s 49-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter sliced through the middle of the Texas defense. It was one of four rushing touchdowns the Longhorns allowed Thursday night after giving up five rushing TDs in the 13 previous games.

“It was disappointing they got to us like that,” Houston said. “But we bounced back and did what we could to make adjustments to get back in the game.”

It was the second-most rushing yards against a Texas defense since Will Muschamp arrived last season. Only Oklahoma State's 217-yard effort last season surpassed the title game.

While Texas struggled containing the running game, Muschamp cooked up a pressure-heavy defensive front that sacked Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy five times.

The ringleader of the Texas pass rush was Sergio Kindle, who had his best game of the season with eight tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for losses.

“Our game plan was to get pressure on their quarterback,” Kindle said. “We thought their lineman were good in run blocking but might have slip-ups in pass coverage. We tried to get speed off the edge and middle. And those plays started coming for us as the game went on.”

But there weren’t enough of those big plays for the Longhorns to overcome the way the Tide won the battle in the trenches, using a methodical offensive philosophy.

“I’m not disappointed at all,” Houston said. “I’m proud of the team and our players for stepping up and almost winning this game. It was a good effort, but in the end it just wasn’t good enough.”

PASADENA, Calif. -- After overcoming obstacles throughout the game, Texas' late hope was undone by a pair of critical late mistakes by freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert.

Alabama got a clinching 1-yard touchdown by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram with 2:01 left to ice the Tide's 37-21 victory.

The Crimson Tide took advantage of a short field after a blindside sack by linebacker Eryk Anders. The fumble was recovered by Courtney Upshaw at the Texas 3.

On the ensuing drive, Javier Arenas returned an interception to the Texas 27 that led to a 2-yard TD run by Trent Richardson with 47 seconds left.

And Tyrone King produced the final interception with a pick at the Alabam 31 with 26 seconds left.

Those two late scores make the final margin of victory for the Crimson Tide a little misleading.

The Longhorns had a chance to take the lead with 3 minutes left before the sack on Gilbert.

Before the late struggles, Gilbert had shown promise and moxie. But in the end, he couldn't overcome those late miscues so deep in his own territory in the end.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Here's a look at why Alabama has cruised to a commanding 24-6 halftime lead.

Turning point: The game turned on Texas’ fifth play from scrimmage when quarterback Colt McCoy went down with an injury to his right shoulder. McCoy appeared to have been pinned between center Chris Hall and defensive end Marcell Dareus when he went down. He was treated for the injury for several plays before he was taken for further evaluation in the Longhorns’ dressing room. He did not appear for the rest of the first half.

His injury forced freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert into the game for his first action. Gilbert struggled against the tough Alabama offense, directing four straight three-and-out possessions with no offensive gains of more than 6 yards on any offensive play during that span.

Stat of the half: Texas produced 26 yards in five plays with McCoy in charge of the offense, an average of 5.2 yards per snap. After his injury, the Longhorns amassed 65 yards on 35 plays, an average of 1.9 yards per snap.

Best player of the half: Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Crimson Tide. Not only did he knock out Colt McCoy early in the first quarter, but he also provided a huge 28-yard interception return on a botched shovel pass with 3 seconds left to give Alabama a comfortable 24-6 lead at the break.

Best call: Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy took advantage of Texas blitzing on the edge early in the second quarter. Freshman running back Trent Richardson took advantage of the huge seam to run untouched through the middle of the Longhorn defense for a 48-yard touchdown run.

What Texas needs to do: Apparently without McCoy, Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis needs to open his offense up. The Longhorns aren’t going to be able to beat Alabama trying to run the ball between the tackles. They might be able to have more success with misdirection plays that might neutralize Alabama’s defensive speed. But it’s going to be tough. The Alabama defense is in a feeding frenzy after knocking McCoy out and almost knocking out Gilbert.

What Alabama needs to do: The Crimson Tide have the Longhorns on their heels -- especially if McCoy can’t come back in the second half. Constant defensive pressure on Gilbert will likely come in waves, keeping him from getting comfortable in the pocket. It’s not an easy situation for any quarterback, but particularly a freshman with as little experience as Gilbert has.