[Kinnick]

Alabama losing to A&M and having a close game against Georgia is actually a good thing. I think Bama will be at their peak preparedness (not sure if that is correct English). If Bama goes 13-0, crushes everybody, it would be easy not to be ready for ND, they are Bama, they can just step on the field and win. Now I think Bama realizes it is mortal and needs to be dialed in.

[AggieNation]

Originally Posted by Major Seahawk

Watch ND win

Upset of the year!

[WeWantTheVest]

Originally Posted by AggieNation

Upset of the year!

I don't know, there have been some pretty big upsets this year. I honestly hope everyone goes into this game knowing Bama will crush Notre Dame.

[AggieNation]

Originally Posted by WeWantTheVest

I don't know, there have been some pretty big upsets this year. I honestly hope everyone goes into this game knowing Bama will crush Notre Dame.

Haha, slight sarcasm when I said that.

And you right about that, I would about as stunned if ND one as I was when A&M won...

[BamaChamps]

Originally Posted by WeWantTheVest

I expect Notre Dame to make a game of it, but Nick Saban isn't going to lose with over a month to get ready.

Now you are finally starting to make sense.

Originally Posted by Major Seahawk
Watch ND win

I hope this means you are picking the Irish, which means you would be basically guaranteeing victory for Bama.

This is going to be fugly! Alabama already took their one lost and won't lose with an over prepared Saban. Bama will control the ball with Lacy and have the TOP in their favor.

Bama does respond very well after a loss during the season.

If USC had a normal coach like all the great institutions do, ND would not be in this game.

lol

[Major Seahawk]

I like how before the season everyone was saying how ND had the toughest schedule in the nation, and then not until after they started winning the games all of the sudden it turned to they have played nobody and are never given any credit for what they have done. ND will make this a thriller, and even if they lose it won't be no blowout, they have something to prove

[BamaChamps]

Originally Posted by Major Seahawk

I like how before the season everyone was saying how ND had the toughest schedule in the nation, and then not until after they started winning the games all of the sudden it turned to they have played nobody and are never given any credit for what they have done. ND will make this a thriller, and even if they lose it won't be no blowout, they have something to prove

Bama got the same treatment. Remember how a lot of people were saying that Mich was going to beat them, and that Denard Robinson was going to make big plays against the D. After the blowout victory, Mich became a crappy and garabage team, and then Bama beat nothing but over-ranked SEC teams like LSU.

But just like how some teams like Arkansas and Auburn turn out to be a lot worst than everybody thought on Bama's schedule, USC and Mich State were a lot worst than anticipated for the Irish.

And how are they not getting credit? They are number #1 in the BCS deserving so and play for the title. Plus they have a linebacker who despite not even leading his team in tackles or sacks, has a very real shot to win the Heisman.

[Major Seahawk]

All I hear in the media and from fans is that ND doesn't even deserve to be in the NC game, which is complete BS. They're undefeated and always underrated every week.

[BamaChamps]

1) This Bama team is not the 09 or 11 team. The defense is not nearly as dominant, particularly in the secondary, which is young at spots. The Bama D has no elite pass rushers (Hubbard is solid but definitely not elite yet). Its seems Bama has to rush 5+ to get serious pressure. 3rd and long has not been as automatic a defensive win as the last several seasons seasons

2) For whatever reason Bama has been wasting early possessions trying to get the passing game in sync. Bama had to pretty much throw out the passing game at the end of the A&M and UGA game because the passing game was ineffective even at times when the other team was keying on the run. Will they try to establish a passing threat early from Shotgun formations? Who knows?(I hope not)

3) Bama run game is very effective, especially from under center. Will offensive staff be ok with 3-4 yard runs though? Id assume ND will be limiting these 5+ yard runs.

4) The screen. Bama is really good at this and seems to call it at the right time. Will ND be ready. Im sure they will key on this.

5) Te'o will be the best coverage linebacker that Bama has faced this season. How will they try to neutralize him?

6) ND QB is mobile. The Bama strategy against mobile QBs this season has been to contain him in the pocket and force him to pass. Against JF, this strategy started going south when he started methodically hitting short throws. When the outside rushers got frustrated and pressed, he was able to break containment and make huge plays. This is tough to do since Bama man to man coverage has not been solid this season.

7) I think Bama will have success at stopping the ND run. I would bet that Saban will take the gamble and try to make the ND QB beat the defense by passing against lots of man to man coverage and hope for a bad one here or there that turns into a turnover. Could be wrong but its a consistent strategy Saban has used in the past.

8) Conclusion
*** A healthy offensive line for Bama will control the line of scrimmage and allow RBs Lacy and Yeldon to pound on ND front seven and wear them down *** Bama wins 24-13

[AggieNation]

Originally Posted by Major Seahawk

All I hear in the media and from fans is that ND doesn't even deserve to be in the NC game, which is complete BS. They're undefeated and always underrated every week.

I personally do not think they are underrated. They have proven themselves by beating some key teams such as OU. I don't expect them to get blown out by Bama but I just don't think they can compete against a strong team such as Bama.

It should be entertaining to watch none the less.