While Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron wasn't the BCS championship MVP, his girlfriend, Katherine Webb, was the star of the show on social media, with a big assist from Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett.
Webb (@_KatherineWebb) is the 2012 Miss Alabama. Her first appearance during ESPN's telecast of the Crimson Tide's victory triggered an explosion of her Twitter account and set off #KatherineWebbforBCSMVP as a trending topic before Alabama had its victory clinched by halftime. Webb had fewer than 600 followers at the start of the day on Monday and gained more than 90,000 by the time the game was over.
Dockett turned a blowout on the field into an all-time classic on social media with this offer:
Aye @_katherinewebb hit me (240) 464-4150 when game over, lets go to wing stop then King of diamond
— DARNELL DOCKETT (@ddockett) January 8, 2013
After the game, McCarron shot back -- just in case Dockett was being serious:
@ddockett u better worry ab being in them playoffs, then going to king of diamonds homie.. #betterkeepdreaming like the rest of these dudes
— AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) January 8, 2013
For her part, Webb ignored the mayhem, even though she had more than 119,000 followers by 8 a.m. Tuesday:
So extremely blessed... @10ajmccarron. Congrats to Alabama and making history! #BCSChamps
— Katherine Webb (@_KatherineWebb) January 8, 2013
Everyone is a comedian, or at least tries to be:
"Folks, you know, the name McCarron is Scottish for 'does well with the ladies.'" - Brent Musberger#NDvsBAMA #BCS
— Frank Caliendo (@FrankCaliendo) January 8, 2013
Actress and model Kate Upton offered words of condolence for Fighting Irish fans, who were pelted by a nonstop streak of "Rudy" jokes:
It's okay Notre Dame this happened to the Jets every week
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) January 8, 2013
Meanwhile, Jets QB Greg McElroy, who won two BCS championships with the Tide in 2009 and '10, posted this confident prediction several hours before kickoff.
It's a great feeling to be able to walk around Miami knowing your school is going to win a National Championship today. #rolltide #15
— Greg McElroy (@GVMcElroy) January 7, 2013
By the time Alabama led 28-0 in the second quarter, it was obvious to many that it was time for a change:
I blame the BCS for this! Call Oregon and get them on a plane to Miami please!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 8, 2013
With Alabama up 42-14 late in the fourth quarter, center Barrett Jones and McCarron got into an argument over a play call. Their quarrel ended with a one-shove shoving match courtesy of the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Jones. That earned the respect of Twitter's newest superstar:
We just saw why bama will be bcs champs @10ajmccarron and @barrettajones not afraid to confront each other in order to win. #respect
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 8, 2013
Not to mention a good line from Musburger:
Musburger just said he thinks the only time McCarron got hit tonight was by his center. Lmao! #bcs #BAMagain
— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) January 8, 2013
Bill Speros is an ESPN.COM contributor. He can be reached on Twitter @billsperos or via e-mail at bsperos1@gmail.com.