In the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, the Texas Longhorns, led by quarterback Colt McCoy, had their shot at redemption after missing out on the title game the previous year. Facing off against Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl, the Longhorns were confident and ready to take on the challenge. However, the game took a dramatic turn early on when McCoy suffered an injury that changed the course of the match.
During a key play, McCoy recalled that he had to adjust due to Alabama’s defense, resulting in a collision that caused a severe injury to his right side. Though the hit wasn’t particularly hard, it left McCoy’s entire right side numb. This injury, which has lingered throughout his career, forced him out of the game, leaving Texas without its star quarterback.
With McCoy sidelined, true freshman Garrett Gilbert was thrust into the spotlight, taking over the offense. Despite a valiant effort, the Longhorns struggled to keep up with the Crimson Tide, who ultimately secured a victory that marked the beginning of the Nick Saban dynasty at Alabama.
The big question remains: What if McCoy hadn’t been injured? Many Texas fans believe that if McCoy had stayed healthy, the Longhorns would have won their second national title in four years and potentially delayed Alabama’s rise to dominance.
This debate resurfaced during an episode of The Triple Option podcast, where McCoy discussed the game with former Alabama running back Mark Ingram. Each had a different perspective on how the game would have played out if McCoy had remained in the game.
Ingram, while respectful of McCoy, confidently stated that Alabama had prepared thoroughly for Texas and that the outcome would have been the same even if McCoy had played the entire game. He acknowledged that McCoy’s injury disrupted their game plan, but he believed the Crimson Tide’s preparation and execution would have led them to victory regardless.
McCoy, on the other hand, believes that Texas would have been able to put points on the board and make the game much more challenging for Alabama. He suggested that if he had stayed in, Alabama’s defense would have had to adjust, potentially limiting Ingram’s effectiveness and allowing Texas to exploit different opportunities.
In the end, the debate between McCoy and Ingram reflects the “what if” scenario that has haunted Texas fans for years. While the outcome of that fateful game can never be changed, the discussion continues to spark interest and speculation about what might have been if McCoy had not been injured.
