It seems like just 3 years ago that Notre Dame was nowhere near the elite programs in the country and it would be a while before they would return to glory. However, they have arrived and are ready to show the world that they are the best team in college football. The story with ND all season has been their prolific brick wall esque defense led by Heisman finalist and trophy collecting linebacker Manti Te'o. Sure, the defense is amazing and is ranked number 1 for a reason, but they haven't faced an offense as good as Alabama's yet this year. Alabama's offense is the 13th ranked one in the BCS and the combination of their passing attack led by the nation's most efficient QB (AJ McCarron) and the 2 headed monster in the backfield featuring Eddy Lacy and TJ Yeldon could prove to be too much for Notre Dame to handle. Furthermore, Alabama will have the best wide receiver on the field tonight in Amari Cooper and Notre Dame's secondary has been the only flaw in the otherwise immaculate defense.
Everett Golson is no Johnny Manziel but he certainly is going to be the closest thing to him that Alabama will see. The dual threat redshirt Freshman quarterback has taken huge strides forwards this season and is poised to make a statement on the biggest stage. Notre Dame will have to run an offense similar to A&M's if they hope to beat the Tide. Denard Robinson and Michigan couldn't get anything going when they played Bama in the opening game of the season but Everett Golson looks like Tom Brady compared to Denard Robinson. Everett Golson will have the weight of the Notre Dame world on his shoulders when the game starts but there is little doubt that he is ready to handle it. The kid has proven to be a resilient and great QB all year and will have to play nearly flawless football to lead ND to a victory.
The Alabama defense quietly finished number 2 in the nation this year and although the numbers cannot back this up they may be the best defense in college football. Mind you, this is all after losing 4 players to the NFL last year in the 1st and 2nd rounds (Upshaw, Hightower, Barron, Kirkpatrick). They have the nation's top corner in Dee Milliner and LB's Nico Johnson and CJ Mosley are elite NFL talents, also NT Jesse Williams may be the 2nd best interior lineman in D1. Johnson or Mosley will be able to take away Notre Dame's stud tight end Tyler Eifert while Milliner will have the assignment on ND's top receiver TJ Jones and look for Williams to disrupt Golson all night long.
What may ultimately give the Tide the advantage is the offensive line. Alabama has 2 of the top 5 linemen in the country in Barrett Jones and Chance Warmack and sophomore sensation Cyrus Kouandjio is quickly developing into an elite lineman as well. Notre Dame will likely have trouble penetrating the Alabama backfield leading to McCarron getting time to pass and the RB's finding room to run. Alabama tore apart Georgia's elite defense in the SEC championship game by establishing a run game and then delivering the final blow off a play action pass downfield. Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Doug Nussheimer will likely use this recipe to defeat the Fighting Irish.
...Prediction...
(2) Alabama Crimson Tide: 24(1) Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 13
In the matchup of legendary programs that have the firmest of roots in college football history, SEC dominance continues for a 7th straight year as Alabama emerges victorious over the Irish for their second title in as many years. At the end of the day, McCarron, Lacy, Jones, Warmack, and the Alabama D are too much for the non battle tested Irish.
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