What it took to beat Alabama

The four "toughest" teams (besides LSU) Alabama has faced all year have been very similar. They are either spread teams or have a dual threat quarterback. And each time Alabama faced them, there was talk of upset alert. But the Crimson Tide stayed the course, ground them out, didn't let things get wild and forced mistakes.
Until this week.

Alabama did that in the beginning with Michigan. They contained Denard, forced him to make mistakes and just weakened the Wolverines down.
Tennessee has a great offense, with some good speed. But they pressured the quarterback and made him made mistakes.
Mississippi State. Bama just burst the bubble on their perfect season. The Bulldogs were a paper tiger.

Then Johnny came marching in. Spread team. Quick. Dual-Threat Quarterback. Scrappy underdogs.
One thing had been holding the Aggies back even since last year. Playing horrible in the second half.
But this game was different.
They got out to an early lead. Which they are apt to do.
They played pretty good defense.
But then in the second half, Bama started to creep back up.
Texas A&M missed a field goal in the 4th quarter, that was a portent for doom.
Alabama was given the chance twice to come back. But Texas A&M not only shut Alabama down with defense, they scored again in the 4th quarter. They actually scored in the 4th quarter. Unheard of for a Texas A&M team.

Best game since the Boise State-Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl. Maybe.

So it begs the question. Did Texas A&M pull a huge upset, or is Alabama actually not that good?

I never thought the Crimson Tide were the number 1 team. (That's Oregon.)
In the beginning it just seemed like all of college football was down this year, like really down. But then Oregon emerged, and Kansas State. And Alabama still seemed like the best defense. But they weren't playing anybody. Until LSU, and they looked really vulnerable. They probably provided Texas A&M with some good film to use.

My assessment. Alabama probably has the most disciplined team and the best defense. And they're getting a lot better on offense. I think they're the number 3 team ahead of Notre Dame.

Oregon obviously has the best offense and Kansas State could be the best coached team right now. Neither of these teams make mistakes. That stems from coaching. Johnny Football made Alabama make mistakes finally. So when the going got tough, Alabama folded and made mistakes. Do the math.

A few predictions:

Johhny Manziel will win the Heisman within the next two years.
Texas A&M will win the SEC within the next two years.
Texas A&M will go to the BCS game within the next two years.
Kevin Sumlin becomes the new Pete Carroll and despite being in College Station and not LA, the Aggies become the new "it" team of the 2010's.