BCS National Championship Game – Alabama vs. Notre Dame January 7, 2013
Notre Dame and Alabama met for one of the most anticipated national championship games in recent history. Notre Dame and Alabama come into the game as #1 and #2 in points respectively and have solid rushing attack This article highlights each team coming into the game and predicts the winner of the 2013 BCS national championship game.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Although they did not enter the season as a national championship contender, Notre Dame earned a spot in the game through the clouds. /a> and unbeaten, despite the tough schedule. The undefeated season included wins against Michigan, Michigan State, University of Miami, Stanford, Oklahoma, and USC. Now they face a much tougher opponent in Alabama.
Notre Dame is the best defensive team in the nation in points allowed per game at 10.3 ppg. They haven’t allowed three touchdowns in any of their 12 games, and they’ve only allowed two touchdowns in a game three times this season. His most points all year came with 26 against the University of Pittsburgh. Also, after losing a season with a large number of points, the defense played very well, as did the offense which gave up three turnovers. Expect Fighting Irish defensive end and Heisman Trophy candidate Manti Te’o to play to his potential in the biggest game of the year and maybe it is the history of his stories.
Fighting Ireland’s offense hasn’t always been consistent this season. As mentioned above, in the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers, three players almost produced a loss. Although their players aren’t the best on offense, they’ve gotten great play from running backs Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick, both of whom they average over 4.5 yards per carry. Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson went when needed, throwing for seven touchdowns and passing for just two interceptions through four games. Two running backs who have been effective all year will benefit Notre Dame against a tough Alabama defense.
Alabama Crisson Tide
The 2012 National Champion Worm Tide is back in the BCS title game. An upset loss against Texas A & amp; M; Alabama was nearly prevented from making the game but their tough SEC schedule and dominant defense helped them earn their spot.
Alabama’s defense held four of its opponents scoreless, allowing just two of its four points. It was one year he slipped against Texas A&M; where they allowed over 400 yards of offense and 29 points.
Quarterback AJ McCarron is the most consistent and in all college football in all college football is very consistent and has a high rating of 173.1. Alabama has two 1,000-yard rushers in Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon who both have over 10 rushing touchdowns this season. Although their offense doesn’t get much attention because of their excellent defense, Alabama’s offense is 15th in the nation in scoring with 38.5 points per game and 20th in rushing with 224.6 yards per game. Going up against the top defense in the nation won’t be easy, but Alabama has an incredible ability to score on anyone.
Game Overview
This will be a defensive battle that will come down to taking games and avoiding big mistakes. Both teams will try to move the ball downfield on the run while occasionally shooting down the field. Notre Dame played its next games this year and was able to pull off a victory in each one. This game will basically be a toss up and it will be much closer than the 9 point spread indicates. I’m taking Notre Dame into overtime.
Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 20, Alabama Crimson Tide 17 OT
* All statistics from ESPN via ESPN.com
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