The hypothetical question «what if» can give rise to soaring hope or crushing despair. Sports fans are very familiar with this line of thinking.
An upset happens and derails a promising dynasty. A routine play is missed and a player's career never recovers, or an obscure call is made and a championship window closes.
The games can't be replayed — except in the minds of fans, over and over again Saturday's game between No. 1 Alabama and Texas brings back memories of the 2009 BCS title game and its looming question — what if Longhorns QB Colt McCoy hadn't been hurt early in the game?
Would the Heisman finalist pilot Texas' potent offense and deny Nick Saban his first national title at Alabama? Would a Texas victory send Mack Brown out on top or prevent a decade of coaching hires and struggles to find a game-changing QB?