Mark Ingram Shocks Fans by Picking Texas Tech Over Alabama for the Title

Mark Ingram made headlines this week, and not for anything involving Alabama. The former Crimson Tide star and Heisman Trophy winner surprised a lot of fans when he picked Texas Tech—not his alma mater—to win the national championship this season. For someone who helped build Alabama’s legacy, choosing another contender is a big statement.

Speaking on the “Triple Option” podcast, Mark Ingram didn’t hesitate when asked who he thinks will take home the trophy. “They are just on a mission. I like Texas Tech. I think they are a true national title contender,” he said. And honestly, the numbers back him up.

Texas Tech is coming off a historic 12–1 season, their best ever. They won the Big 12 title and grabbed the No. 4 seed in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, earning a first-round bye. It’s been a long time since the Red Raiders have looked this complete. Mark Ingram praised their versatility on both sides of the ball, saying they can beat teams in almost any style—throwing deep, attacking outside the numbers, running the ball, forcing turnovers, or pressuring the quarterback.

Statistically, they’ve been one of the most dominant programs in the nation. Tech is one of only a handful of FBS teams ranking top-five in scoring offense, scoring defense, and takeaways per game. They’re outscoring opponents by more than 31 points each outing, showing how balanced and explosive they are.

Their Big 12 Championship win over BYU showed just how powerful this team can be. The Cougars were held to only 200 total yards, and once halftime hit, they couldn’t put together a single meaningful drive. Linebacker Ben Roberts played a major role, grabbing two interceptions off BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who had thrown only four all season. The 34–7 victory gave Texas Tech its first outright conference title since 1955 and its first-ever Big 12 crown—and every one of their 12 victories came by at least 20 points. Only the 2013 Florida State and 2018 Alabama teams have matched that kind of dominance.

The Red Raiders also boast the nation’s best defense right now. They rank second in rush success allowed, third in yards allowed per play, and first in total pressures. Their overall defense sits at No. 5, and they’re top-12 in getting teams off the field on third down. Joey McGuire, along with offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich and defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, has put together a complete roster. Last year, this same program was near the bottom of the country defensively, giving up more than 450 yards a game. A big part of their turnaround came from investing $28 million into upgrading the roster—money they’ve clearly used in the right places.

Their offense is just as strong—No. 5 nationally overall, No. 11 in passing, and No. 27 in rushing—while the defense sits fourth in sacks and tackles for loss. Put it all together, and you get a team that checks every box for a title run.

Meanwhile, Alabama hasn’t looked like its usual self. Even in wins, the Tide struggled. Their 20–9 victory over an LSU team led by an interim coach raised eyebrows, especially with Alabama managing only 56 rushing yards. They also had a tight Iron Bowl against a 5–7 Auburn team that fired its coach earlier in the season. Then came the SEC Championship, where Georgia dominated from start to finish. Alabama managed only 209 total yards and finished with –3 rushing yards in a 28–7 loss.

Even with a 10–3 record, the playoff committee still placed Alabama in the field over teams like BYU and Notre Dame, sparking plenty of debate. ESPN’s “Anger Index” blasted the decision, and Notre Dame’s AD openly criticized the process.

Oddsmakers aren’t exactly sold on Alabama either. Ohio State is the favorite at around +240, with Indiana close behind. Texas Tech sits in the +800 range among the top contenders. Alabama, though, has dropped to about +2,800—far behind the usual heavyweights.

With all that in mind, Mark Ingram’s pick doesn’t seem so shocking after all. Texas Tech has earned the hype, and Alabama just hasn’t looked like a team ready to make a title run.

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